JKD Answers

Q AND A FOR THE PROFESSOR
What is JKD
JKD is a combat modified Gung Fu (Kung Fu) system designed by Bruce Lee to eliminate the effectiveness of other martial arts in a fight. It is made up with elements from Wing Chun kung fu, American Boxing, and French Fencing for the footwork aspects.
Are there any other arts in JKD
No. Lee studied various systems to find weaknesses he could exploit. So if he was taking a lesson in, or working with another teacher that was what he was up to.
Is JKD a style, Lee always said JKD was not a style in his books to the public.
JKD is a style. This is in print in the training manuals that were available only to his personal students; in it he states “Style of Jeet Kune Do”, not to mention on his grave marker it says founder of Jeet Kune Do.
Do you have proof of this and do you have a copy.
Yes
Is JKD the most effective style for self defense
It is definably at the top of the list for sure. JKD was the first mixed martial art, but it was organized unlike what you see today. It takes discipline to learn as it is so far away from the thinking of most martial art styles that we have come in contact with. Its great for small people and you don’t have to be strong to be effective.
You have to have prior martial arts experience to do Jeet Kune Do
No not at all. Actually as a teacher it is easier for me because I don’t have to correct bad habits. Also you don’t have to be in great shape to start.
Can you use it in tournaments
JKD has no rules. It does not translate well to the ring. We do whatever it takes to win. So you would get disqualified pretty quickly.
Why isn’t there JKD schools on every corner like tae kwon do.
That is the big question isn’t it. The most effective martial art from the most famous martial artist. It should be shouldn’t it. Basically it comes down to the ugly side of human nature. You have ego and you have greed and you have envy. All of these things have reared their head in Jeet Kune Do. The original students of Lee could not get along with one another nor with the family. There are exceptions of course, but the failures are many and could have been avoided for the good of the art and out of respect of the founder. Our goal was to change all of that and avoid the fighting and politics for the good of the art and the founder. We have done a good job so far. We get attacked by those same people that kept the art down, but we always take the higher road and stay out of the in fighting.
Are there uniforms in JKD
No. Although Lee usually wore a Kung Fu uniform.
Are there rank belts in JKD
No.
Are there rankings in JKD
Yes. Lee had a rank system of levels 1,2,3 and rumored to have a level 4
Did Bruce Lee issue Rank Certificates
Yes
Can you learn JKD from a book.
That is very hard, probably the hardest method of all.
Why are there so few JKD teachers
Bruce Lee had very few students in his 3 different schools.
Is there only one JKD
No there is two. You have the original that we teach, and you have what is called JKD Concepts which is mainly Filipino arts.
Is one better than the other
We get this question quite a bit. The original is what Lee taught, Concepts is related but does not have to be what Lee taught. I like to answer like this since I have training in Filipino arts as well. Original is what Lee taught and Concepts is not. One is no better that the other just different.
Bruce Lee taught for free why do you charge money
Bruce Lee was one of the highest paid martial art teachers to date. He did not teach for free and in the 1970’s he charged $1000 for an hour long private lesson. In today’s money that would be what…. a new car.
Why did Bruce Lee order his schools closed.
He came home from filming a movie and witnessed one of his classes and he did not recognize any of the techniques being taught as JKD. He order all of them closed. There were other issues involved but this remained in the forefront.
How many schools did he have.
Three schools, Seattle, Oakland and Los Angeles.
In Dragon the Bruce Lee Story he was hurt in a fight is that true.
No. He hurt his back lifting weights. Gotta love the movies.
Why is there so much controversy in JKD
Bruce Lee was a very philosophical man with many sides and many contradictions. He had a public face and a private face that his private students witnessed. While I think he would be dismayed at his students lack of compassion toward one another, he would rather enjoy the confusion that keeps people thinking about martial arts. Its my hope that his 1st generation students the will make amends.
Do you support any kind of regulation or oversight in the martial arts?
Yes. Today there is so much misrepresentation of rankings and skills that I fully support governmental regulation of the martial arts systems and styles.
Do you get allot of questions and emails
Yes. We get around 400 emails each day. Its very hard to get through. We get many questions, people thanking us for what we have done. Some are from those who love our program and the way we teach. Then you have those who hate us for bringing JKD to the public.
Is being the president of the WJKDF all you do or do you have a regular job.
I am a full time martial arts teacher. So I teach exclusive private lessons and I am also head of the World Kempo Karate Association.
From your resume it looks like you have several black belts. How many do you have.
I have seven black belt level certifications.
Seven Black Belts,? No way, you would have to be a hundred years old to do that. That’s impossible.
Well I like doing the impossible. You noticed my earlier answer that I am a full time martial artist. Well I was a full time martial art student doing at least four arts at the same time. I do not recommend this for anyone. It was probably the most difficult way of learning. Most cannot do it as you have to keep the systems completely separate to pass your tests. We have also placed links to where you can see some of the certificates. This is the first time any Grandmaster has ever put their credentials online for all to see. Hey mabe I will start a trend.
I see you are a founder of a martial arts style American Combat Kempo also known as Combat Martial Arts . There seems to be more and more founders out there, what makes your system stand out.
Well yes I am the Grandmaster of a new combat system. The thing that I feel makes my system so outstanding is that there is actually something new, not just some master taking two or three systems and patching them together and abra cadabra its a new style and they call themselves Grandmaster. I brought the old and the new together, changed the philosophy one hundred eighty degrees, added a new approach to defense, then invented new techniques that my system alone has. Many of the philosophies are very radical and I took some heat from the established masters on what I was teaching, why I was teaching it, and how it was being presented. Its also the only system I know of that allows under black belts to fully train with weapons, and black belts to advance must be proficient with various firearms, and a select few with fully automatic weapons.
Ok you have taken a giant step forward with your system in the self defense world. What would keep someone from taking your system and adding or changing a few things and they are Grandmaster of a new style?
Unlike founders in the past, my system is fully documented and copyrighted in multiple ways so it belongs to me, although I can license or allow governmental agencies certain privileges.
Why doesn’t the WJKDF have a Forum or Chat area.
Many companies have found, most recently Apple Computer, that these forums are a breeding ground for bad behavior, slandering people they have never met or know nothing about, lies and misinformation that do nothing to help those interested in legitimate information. Have you seen some of the pictures of Internet posters? Its like they are all fat and out of shape. Guys that burning orb in the sky is the Sun. Get moving and go outside.
You have taken a lot of heat over the years when you said that JKD was made of only three styles, and that it was an actual style with specific techniques. Now the Bruce Lee Family has released confirmation to the fact that you were correct. How does this make you feel.
Its always good to be right. But what good is it if no one knows it or agrees. Now everyone knows we were right all along. We have always tried to stay true to the founders teachings.
Unlike Sifu Hargrave why are so many teachers in JKD fat and out of shape.
I believe in setting a good example by staying in fighting shape and working out . My guess is they spend too much time on the Internet and not enough time moving. Martial Arts are moving meditation. Maybe they forgot that part.
What is the future of JKD
The WJDKF has been on the cutting edge of teaching. Our DVD training program has been so much more successful than I imagined. The test videos that I receive are of such high skill quality even from those who have had no training. We have taken allot of heat for offering instruction in this manner, but I have taught more students than any other teacher in the history of Jeet Kune Do, and it works. You would not believe all of the letters and emails thanking me for what we have done that has changed their lives, and empowered them and their families. That makes you feel good that you are helping so many people that otherwise would not have been helped.

” My heartfelt thanks to all the instructors and students who have made my goals and dreams possible. No one man achieves great things alone. God bless”.