Bruce Lee did TFT

topic posted Sat, November 25, 2006 - 6:16 PM by  Kas22
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Not really I'm just playing around, but I came upon this article and thought I'd share with you guys and hear your thoughts on his approach.

Jeet Kune Do Secrets
First-Generation Disciple Reveals Little-Known Bruce Lee Teachings on Self-Defense

I first met Bruce Lee in 1964. At the time, I was one of Ed Parker’s top kenpo black belts, and I had accompanied him to San Francisco to arrange the first International Karate Championship. While we were there, we decided to visit James Lee in nearby Oakland, California. His brother, Bruce, was staying with him.

James had a wooden dummy, and while we all stood around socializing, Bruce walked over and suddenly started hitting it. He exploded like a machine gun, and the power of his blows shook the house to its foundation. After everyone else backed away, I approached the dummy. Even when I put all my weight into moving it, it didn’t budge. I wondered, Who is this little guy who can generate so much power? I couldn’t wait to train with him.

Less than two years later, I became Lee’s second student at his school in Los Angeles. He remained my teacher until he went to Hong Kong to make movies at the end of the 1960s. The fighting techniques and strategies I learned during that time were invaluable.

Throw the First Punch
One day, after five of us had finished a session with Lee, he blurted out, “Jeet kune do is an offensive art rather than a defensive one.”

I was startled and confused by his declaration. “Do you mean,” I asked, “that we should throw the first punch?”

Lee shook his head. He explained that the JKD practitioner must strike while the opponent is preparing to attack or when he indicates his intention to attack.

Noticing the perplexed look on my face, Lee motioned for me to come forward so he could demonstrate the principle. He had me chamber my fist to deliver a rear punch, and as I drew back, he hit me.
He then instructed me not to telegraph my techniques. “Just assume the posture you would be in prior to throwing the punch,” he said.

I decided to try again. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other and clenched my fists. Once again, he hit me. “This time, I intercepted your attitude,” he said.

Lee explained that you should always strive to intercept your opponent’s attack before he launches it—or at the very latest, while he’s doing it. Intercepting is the jeet in jeet kune do, he said. Sadly, this principle and the training methods needed to master it are rare today. I sometimes see JKD practitioners wait for their opponent to attack before countering the technique. And at that point, it’s often too late.

To fully appreciate this concept, which I call ATA, or attack-the-attack, imagine allowing an assailant to shoot at you before starting to defend yourself. You may get lucky and avoid the bullet, then be able to incapacitate him. Then again, you may end up dead. Not only does this passive fighting strategy violate the cornerstone principle of jeet kune do, which is to always intercept the attack, it also puts you at least a full beat behind your opponent. Unless you’re blessed with superhuman speed and are facing an unskilled opponent, this is an unwise course of action because you’re forced to play catch-up.

Enjoy the Advantages
As you can see, the ATA principle can be used against any type of offense. For example, if an assailant attempts a punch or kick, you can intercept his technique with your own attack. If he tries to take you down, you can hit him or kick him before he succeeds. Don’t waste precious time blocking, parrying and slipping when you can beat him to the punch.

When Bruce Lee named his art the “way of the intercepting fist,” he meant it. And who are we to argue with the master?

ok this is me talking now :-)
I know a lot of people have varying views on the offensive mindset as opposed to defensive so I'd love to hear what you guys think are the advantages and disadvantages to both approaches.

Till next time
-Kester
posted by:
Kas22
Hartford
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  • T.
    T.
    offline 1

    Re: Bruce Lee did TFT

    Mon, February 19, 2007 - 1:51 PM
    Hello,
    Well, I grew up with the'" There is no first attack in karate"...but I started out in 1966 inner city Fort Worth scared to death of the jr. high and neighborhood....I got a speed bag on the back of the house and a gi duffle filled with sawdust and threw 500 punches a day...and ran a mile a day around the back yard...lots of laps....I did this for 2 years with not over 1-3 days off....so 15,000 punches a month times 24...(I was that scared)..had about 7 encounters in 7th grade I really couldn't have gotten around.....they came up and attacked me.......I hit all 7 in the nose with big hand Right boxing punch...no more fight......over...then no more fights at all...and ok with me....I just knew then...to hit first after they threw first punch....no block just bet your life you are faster....and then in '68 I got serious and started Isshinryu then TKD, Kyokyshinkai, Aikijujitsu...last 3 with Grandmaster Dr. Dae Shik Kim, one of the founders of TKD and Judo in the US....I was his senior student in US in '77.
    One thing I have noticed....inner city....I have NEVER seen two people agree to fight a dual....stance off and start dancing around..sparring.....not once...ever.....every encounter I have ever witnessed on the street started with a cheap shot....every one......no exception.....some from behind....so one step type defense is most reality based...and never when you expected it....
    sparring IS great training.....for interval, timing, wind....team spirit and dojo bonding.....

    One teaching I got from Dr. Kim....always give the other guy a way out....and let them take it....I remember doing security at a local Osteopathic Hospital....(ex was an RN...) security with no back up, supervisor etc. and when asked to bounce someone by nursing director, I would find , approach person in plain view and tell them...,"You have been asked to leave the Hospital, you can leave now because you want to or they (never i.d.ing exactly who they is) will call PD....I looked at them with some compasion, I was merely telling them the position they were in....I as security was the eyes and ears of a reasonable person,,,,not really personally invested in their decision, it wasn't my house....the persona nongrata always...left immediately, and usually thanked me....I had nothing to prove...
    Namaste,
    T, Texas

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