It is good that you aren't just following the pack. Here is my quick answer. First, I look at this thing scientifically (as did Bruce Lee.) If I have a theory (a technique from a different art), I must test it under battle conditions to see how well it actually works. Combat sports are definitely real combat. Just go fight a Thai Boxer and see how economical the motions are when you are standing in front of them, but the rules of the sport lead us away from the JKD street emphasis. Change the rules and you change the way the art develops. Rolling on the ground is very important because it happens in real life. We don't want to be there, but if you end up there your skills at groundfighting are the only things that will save you. Since it is so dangerous, we spend a lot of time training it. But, we do a street version where we include groin hits, simulated eye strikes, etc. This changes the game.
As far as learning an entire art, that is good for people who enjoy the culture. I learned many arts in their entirety, but my teaching is based upon testing our techniques under duress. I think that is what Bruce Lee was about. If it works, add it. If it doesn't, get rid of it. Sometimes a new technique makes an old technique obsolete.
So again, test everything through sparring with very few rules. Just keep it safe. Aloha!
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"If you want to learn how to fight, you must practice fighting against someone who is fighting back!" Burton Richardson
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