Martial Arts Illustrated – January 2018

JKD EXPLORED

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IN THIS MONTH’S JKD EXPLORED CHRIS KENT LOOKS INTO

ADAPTABILITY AND FLOW

T

ed Wong stated that, according

to Bruce Lee, the highest quality

that any martial artist can

possess is adaptability, to be

able to adapt to any opponent

and any situation. When it comes to any

combative situation, there are numerous

variables that you do not get to dictate. These

variables include such things as:

„ The size, weight, and body-type of the

opponent - tall and long-limbed, short

and stocky, heavy, skinny, etc.

„ The opponent’s mental or emotional

state - cool and calm, angry, nervous and

agitated, etc.

While you may be able to inÀ uence one or

more of the above variables, you do not get

to dictate any of them. So one of the primary

goals of training in JKD is to know what

you can do. Not what techniques you can do

if you are attacked, but what you can do,

what your body is capable of. Remember,

adaptability is the key. So develop

your ability to adapt and ¿ t in with

any type of opponent and learn

how to express yourself to the

highest degree at any given

moment and in any given

position.

I was wrong... and I

admit it!

In the book I co-authored with

Tim Tackett Jun Fan/Jeet Kune

Do - The Textbook which was

originally published in 1988, and then

„ The relative speed, power and agility of

the opponent

„ What lead (if any) the opponent chooses

to ¿ ght from - right lead, left lead.

„ What type of on-guard position the

opponent is in - open, closed, tight and

compact, crouching, etc.

„ What method or style of ¿ ghting the

opponent will use - martial arts, boxing,

grappling, street ¿ ghting, etc.

„ The type(s) of attacks the opponent may

try to use - punching, kicking, elbows/

knees, throwing, grappling, locking, etc.

„ The type of ¿ ghter the opponent is -

runner, blocker, counter-¿ ghter, crasher,

etc.

„ The number of opponents you have to

face - one, several, etc.

„ The environment the situation takes place

in - city street, beach, woods, etc.

„ Whether the opponent is unarmed or has

a weapon.

Ô Ted Wong

and Bruce Lee