Jeet Kune Do

Jeet Kune Do was developed by Bruce Lee, and according to Lee, it's more a concept than a style. Among many other similar things, he wrote: "Jeet Kune Do favors formlessness so that it can assume all forms and since Jeet Kune Do has no style, it can fit in with all styles". The Tao of Jeet Kune Do was one of the first books I ever read on martial arts, and a book I often go back to. It heavily influenced my path in martial arts, self defense, and life, and the Jeet Kune Do concept is almost identical to that of Hertao.

If JKD is a concept, what can we say about JKD techniques? Bruce Lee had a number of principles that led him to perform techniques in certain ways, with unique and effective modifications. Perhaps the most substantial of these princples as they apply to techniques are "closest weapon to closest target" and "shortest distance to any target". Bruce Lee and JKD practitioners also prefered to lead with the "power side foreward". So while JKD is a concept, or a body of concepts, primarily, there are several techniques that are unique to JKD. In Hertao we use the following from JKD:

Footwork

- Step and Slide
- Push Shuffle
- Pendulum Step

Striking

- Straight Lead
- Finger Jab
- Hammer Fist
- Hook Kick
- Side Kick
- Oblique Kick or Cross Stomp

Target Emphasis

- Emphasis on attacking the eyes, groin, and throat

Principles & Concepts

- Closest Weapon to Closest Target
- The Interception
- Five Ways of Attack
- Open System (No Limitations)

How is Hertao Different?

Although we generally follow the concepts of JKD in Hertao, there are several differences. First, we have a unique set of principles and strategies (the Fundamental Five for example), different from anything in JKD. Second, many of the techniques we use were not used by Bruce Lee himself. While most of these techniques are trained by some JKD Concepts practitioners, they generally fall into the relm of other particular martial arts. And finally, some of our training methods were disregarded by Lee...prearranged drills such as this boxing drill. So while the concepts of JKD and Hertao are often similar, there are substantial differences.

Quotes worth repeating, from the Tao of Jeet Kune Do

"To obtain enlightenment in martial art means the extinction of everything which obscures the "true knowledge," the "real life." At the same time, it implies boundless expansion and, indeed, emphasis should fall not on the cultivation of the particular department which merges into the totality, but rather on the totality that enters and unites that particular department."

"Jeet Kune Do favors formlessness so that it can assume all forms and since Jeet Kune Do has no style, it can fit in with all styles. As a result, Jeet Kune Do utilizes all ways and is bound by none and, likewise, uses any techniques or means which serve its end."

"The classical man is just a bundle of routine, ideas and tradition. When he acts, he is translating every living moment in terms of the old."

"To express yourself in freedom, you must die to everything of yesterday. From the "old", you derive security; from the "new", you gain the flow."

"If you want to understand the truth in marital arts, to see any opponent clearly, you must throw away the notion of styles or schools, prejudices, likes and dislikes, and so forth. Then, your mind will cease all conflict and come to rest. In this silence, you will see totally and freshly."

"The way of combat is not based on personal choice and fancies. Truth in the way of combat is perceived from moment to moment and only when there is awareness without condemnation, justification or any form of identification."