View Single Post
Old 09-03-2002, 03:08 AM   #2 (permalink)
Brokenmace
Registered User
 
Brokenmace's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Florida
Posts: 259
Groans: 0
Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts
Brokenmace is on a distinguished road
Talking

Quote:
Wouldn't it be better if you all shared your knowledge and experience and learned a littel bit from each other? Or would that be to nerdy?
What gave you that idea?

The whole point of JKD was to abandon style for reality. One person's ability to reproduce a given technique will always differ from another's. JKD is based on principles. Principles are universal; techniques are limited.

Styles are most often based on philisophical foundations. For instance (I'll get hammered for this) BJJ seems to be based on the idea that "equal footing" between two physically different foes can be gained by getting in close fast, and "exchanging blows" is both stupid and dangerous, as (they assume, I guess), the stronger man will win. This, I believe, is a dangerous deception, but that's not my point. While it has this core philosophy, it is built upon techniques and specific tactics. True, you can add any technique that works to your game, but the only guiding principle is that you leverage more of your body against less of your opponent's, therefore submitting them.

There's nothing wrong with this. I fully intend to add as many simple BJJ techniques to my program as possible. It is an excellent grappling system. Where some of its instructors fail is to both buy into and teach the false argument that grappling range is the only solution, and to reject preperation for any other range. Some BJJ purists refuse to see any value in learning how to punch or kick. This is beyond me.

The problem is a myopic viewpoint. It isn't about style. Find a teacher with an open mind. The last thing you need is a JKD instructor who thinks "those [insert style here] guys are a bunch of hamstrung yahoos" or anyone else who thinks that way.

My best advice is to find a JKD school. This isn't because JKD is the "best." It is because JKD started the whole modern American MMA thing, and you will probably find many arts being practiced at any given school. They will encourage you to try out all the arts there, and I would do this. Ask various folks the ups and downs of their preferred style or art. Decide what you want out of the martial arts, and choose a path accordingly. For me it was JKD/Kali, because I wanted street fighting and a good workout.

Later.
__________________
A broken mace is still a weapon.
Brokenmace is offline   Reply With Quote