The Corner-stones of Jeet Kune Do

by Cass Magda

In JKD we always search for ways to make ourselves more functional in combat. This can be done by researching other arts, fitting what is useful into our structure, absorbing what we learn through the rigorous test of full contact sparring, and then eliminating what doesn’t work or modifying it so it does. In this research we use the criteria and theory of JKD as a method of study. JKD is our way to study other things to decide if they’re functional or not. Dan Inosanto once told me that one of the most important things that Bruce Lee taught him was the ability to decide what was functional and what was not. He called it, “The Functional Eye.”

“Simple, direct, and non-classical,” is a phrase which describes the three cornerstones of JKD. These cornerstones are the criteria for our method of study and analysis of what is functional and what isn’t. They are used when analyzing other martial arts techniques or when trying to improve within our own system of JKD.

The first cornerstone is “simplicity.” If a technique sequence against an attack takes six moves then the chances of it being used successfully in reality are slim. It’s a simple fact that the more moves one has to make, the more chances there are of something going terribly wrong. So part of using simplicity as a criteria is to ask, “How can that six-move sequence be shortened to three moves? Can those three moves be shortened to two?” Ultimately, modifying and changing a six-move sequence to one or two moves and getting the same end result is a JKD way of thinking and studying.

“Directness” is the next cornerstone. The techniques of various martial arts can be simple but still not be direct. So, a simple counter such as blocking an attack then hitting back may be simple, but it is not direct. One way to improve directness is to improve the timing of the counterattack. Try to hit just before the opponent’s blow lands. In other words, beat him to the punch or perhaps simultaneous block and hit. Interception is considered the highest stage of JKD. Directness can also be improved by minimizing preparatory movements. The less we have to move to hit the better.

The last cornerstone is “non-classical.” This is the freedom to go outside the established classical system and break the rules of the techniques or theory. The classical system says there is only one way to do something. “Non-classical” in JKD means personalization. When we are being non-classical, we have the freedom to change things for our needs. We may absorb a theory or technique from another source but accomplish it in quite a different way.

A lot of the time, as a result of these modifications, the finished motion may end up only faintly resembling or looking nothing like the original source. The modifications change the technique, principle, or training method into something unrecognizable from the style of origin, hence it becomes non-classical. It may also mean that we don’t go outside our system to absorb from another source but instead modify what we already have or even create something new to solve the problem.

Just as a three-legged stool provides a steadier base than a four-legged chair, the three cornerstones of JKD can be used to improve the martial arts skill of any style by providing a steady base for using what works.