Learn the Most Important Martial Arts Lessons Bruce Lee Taught — From His Top Disciples! Part 4
July 12 | 2016
Four more experts are here to help you get a better grasp of Bruce Lee's martial message. Lamar M. Davis II, Dr. Jerry Beasley, Matt Thornton and Thomas Cruise sound off on what matters most in JKD.
Black Belt contacted 16 well-known martial artists who teach jeet kune do or were heavily influenced by it to get their thoughts on the most important part of Bruce Lee’s art. Part 1 features replies from Dan Inosanto, Tim Tackett, Kelly McCann and Joe Lewis. Part 2 offers the answers we got from Burton Richardson, Matthew J. Numrich, Teri Tom and Richard S. Bustillo. Part 3 includes Leo Fong, Bustillo (again), Paul Vunak and Gary Dill. Here, we present the views of Lamar M. Davis II, Dr. Jerry Beasley, Matt Thornton and Thomas Cruise.
— Editors
Photo by Thomas Sanders
LAMAR M. DAVIS IIJKD Instructor Certified by Five First-Generation Bruce Lee StudentsStar of the Jeet Kune Do for the Advanced Practitioner DVD Set I would teach the principles, attributes and skills necessary to strike from wherever you happen to be without first having to reposition yourself. JKD means “way of the intercepting fist”; you must strike quickly and decisively to intercept the opponent’s intention to attack. JKD is all about self-defense on the street. You must always be aware and alert, ready for whatever may come. If you need time to get ready, as opposed to being ready, it’s already too late. We have a position that’s referred to as bai jong, or on-guard. It’s our primary fighting stance. However, you may not always have time to get into that position — or you might not want to because it shows signs of pre-aggression. If you can strike without telegraphing from wherever you are, you’ll have the time you need to assume a more appropriate posture for the threat.Photo by Rick Hustead
JERRY BEASLEY, ED.D. Jeet Kune Do Instructor Founder of Karate College Black Belt Hall of Famer Author of Dojo Dynamics Bruce Lee was clear about what he considered essential training in JKD. He wrote, “There is nothing better than free-style sparring,” and “Sparring lives from moment to moment.” Therefore, I would teach a student to spar. Hard-contact sparring with protective gear and the intent to do harm is beyond style. It levels the playing field so that using what works becomes essential. It’s the time you get to totally experience your skills, “uncluttered by classical form.”Photo Courtesy of Matt Thornton
MATT THORNTON Founder of Functional Jeet Kune Do Without a doubt, the one thing I’d want to get across is the principle of “aliveness.” It’s the training method that makes the distinction between what works and what doesn’t. It’s what differentiates traditional Japanese jujitsu from an art like Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Once understood, [aliveness] will prevent you from ever being fooled again regarding what is functional and what isn’t. Once fully grasped, it will allow you to go anywhere and work with anyone and still create an atmosphere of safe, functional training.Photo by Robert Reiff
THOMAS CRUSE Jeet Kune Do Instructor Under Paul VunakBruce Lee advocated striking the eyes, so for me, the most important thing is attacking the eyes as naturally and efficiently as possible. The optimal technique isn’t an eye poke or an eye jab; rather, it’s a lightning-fast backhand strike. Because of the eyes’ proximity to the brain, we in Progressive Fighting Systems refer to them as “off buttons.” This means that when you hit one eye, it affects both and usually brings a sudden end to the altercation. The best way to accomplish that is as follows:Keep ReadingShow less