Jeet Kune Do learning order?

Question

I'm a practitioner of Jeet Kune Do but not from a school, I'm learning by my own from the book "Tao of Jeet Kune Do" and instructional videos.

Please don't believe that I'm an ignorant and that I would never learn without a teacher, etc. I have 6 years of experience in Shotokan Karate (black belt) and 1 year in Western Boxing, I'm no newbie so believe me I know what I'm doing. Besides, JKD philosophy is meant to find a "personal" path, so there shouldn't be any problem if I train by myself.

Now, from what I have read in the book, watched on tapes and trained with all those techniques I know that I've learned a lot, but the thing is that when I began in JKD I already had years of experience in martial arts. So my question is, if I want to teach someone my knowledge and if that person has zero experience in martial arts, which order should I take to teach him?

I'm guessing this is the best way but please correct me if I'm wrong:

1.- Stance

2.- Basic movement / footwork

3.- Techniques in the order of combat ranges from longest to shortest.

Any suggestions, please?

Answer 1

you're on the right track. the best way to learn is in the order of Bruce lee's training method series. the way it's structured, you can't go wrong because it's how Bruce structured jkd classes and that's why he structured the book series like that. concepts is a big part of jkd as well. the concepts learn can apply to freestyle or any martial art. this is how most people perceive jkd because Bruce died before he could finish developing the system. and the word is ignoramus when describing a person as ignorant.  

Answer 2

I hope your instructional videos are good, because the Tao of Jeet Kun Do is just an assembly of notes from Bruce Lee, and is NOT a teaching tool.  

I recommend a book by Teri Tom an Ted Wong called "The Straight Lead".  It gives the principles and technique that Bruce Lee taught - breaks them down into why you should use the right (or strong hand) lead and how to apply the techniques in combat.  It's an easy to understand book and written by 2 of Lee's top students with endorsement by the Bruce Lee Foundation.

As far as how to teach, your plan seems fine, so long as you fully understand the stance and principles you are teaching.  I would probably teach what you know more than trying to teach Lee's method, which you haven't studied as long.  Bruce Lee studied boxing after Wing Chun, so that knowledge will help a lot.  You can incorporate your Shotokan as well - The Jeet Kun Do method essentially blends martial arts to suit the practicioner.  

Assuming that you will work with your student on basic training (cardio, weights, etc.) which are very important to JKD I think your training should go well.  The only thing I think you have a gap in is grappling - Sifu Lee studied Japanese Jiu Jitsu and Judo later in his life.  

As you review with your student, make sure they understand WHY they do any given thing.

Stance for example - the right hand forward, rear leg slighty bent, heel up, chin down - this is for speed, balance, and spring when you move forward, but also the heel position works as a shock absorber when you are hit, etc.   Sifu Lee taught so that his students were able to apply technique mentally, not just physically.  

Good luck  

Answer 3

I think what you're doing is fine. You are practicing Jeet Kun Do without knowing it, just by exploring what new techniques work and by employing all that you know that already works for you in a real fight. Your blending of Shotokan karate with Western boxing is already the essence of Jeet Kun Do.

What has occurred in the last 35 years since Bruce Lee died, is that most Jeet Kun Do practitioners segmented into two branches 1) Nucleus JKD (original Jun Fan Gung Fu)  and 2) Jeet Kun  Do Concepts, which is using Bruce Lee's principle's regardless of the particular styles you study.  

Both Nucleus JKD and JKD Concepts abide by the philosophy of using whatever works to win a fight. The main differences between the two approaches is what techniques you use to to get to the point where you 'flow like water' , 'become formless in your form', and use all of the other principles that Bruce Lee taught about to achieve the desired goal of being victorious in a fight. The famous Nucleus JKD instructor Jerry Poteet teaches the style in a way very similar to what Bruce taught.

    In contrast, the famous JKD Concepts instructor Burton Richardson teaches a form of JKD that blends Jun Fan Gung Fu, Filipino Kali, Muay Thai, Indonesian Pentjak Silat, Kali, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

    By blending Shotokan karate and Western boxing you are more in line with JKD Concepts.