Who's done a better job?

[JustaFighter]

Whick JKD person (outside of BL's original students) has done a better job in modernizing/updating this fluid art and why?

*Edited for better clarification of the poll question.

[Tim McFatridge]

You left a few people off your list. People like Dan Inosanto, Larry Hartsell, Tim Tackett etc. They have all done a good job of bringing JKD into the modern world of martial arts. Going from the people on your poll I would be willing to guess that you are a Tommy Caruthers supporter... am I right?

Which is fine I have nothing bad to say about him as I have never trained with him.

Just wanted to add the above people to your list

[Razinghell]

I would have to say it depends. If you are rate it on the criteria of street/self defence application, I would have to say Paul Vunak. I you are looking towards the sport side that i would have to say Matt Thorton or Erik Paulson (leaning slightly towards Thorton)

Plus i would say that they each had there time in the lime light. Starting with Vunak then, Paulson, and then Thorton. (I dont no much about Caruther's)

just my 2 cents

[John McNabney]

I agree you left off many.....Jerry Poteet, Steve Golden, Ted Wong, Patrick Strong and then you have my peers 2nd Gen....


Keeping "IT" Real,
John McNabney

[Hardball]

First person I thought of was Dan Inosanto.

[aseepish]

Add Burton Richardson, Roy Harris, Rick Faye, and Demi Barbito to the list...

But the question is kind of skewed. What you're really asking is whose JKD is best. I would answer that each of these people are doing what is best for them.

[JustaFighter]

Originally Posted by Tim McFatridge

You left a few people off your list. People like Dan Inosanto, Larry Hartsell, Tim Tackett etc. They have all done a good job of bringing JKD into the modern world of martial arts. Going from the people on your poll I would be willing to guess that you are a Tommy Caruthers supporter... am I right?

Just wanted to add the above people to your list

I'm not a Carruthers supporter. I think he does well at Jun Fan Gung Fu though. The other names you posted, to me, falls in with type of people like Tommy Carruthers. As I see it they mainly do drills w/ light sparring and bag work. Not alot of "Alive" training or as the terminology has been coined.

I put my vote to Erik Paulson. Being that he does Alive training, has put his skills to the test in Vale Tudo competitions and such against other skilled fighters, and he really applies JKD concepts and principles into what he does and teach. Such example is that he is all about setting a person up to shut them down. Feinting them, drawing them in, zigging when the opponent expects a zag...you get the idea. This mixed in with his extensive knowledge of many MAs I believe has made him a very creative and effective well-rounded fighter. Which, once again to me, is the essence of JKD.

Don't get me wrong. I think Thorton has done a great job getting people to understand the importance of adding Alive training with your drills and bag work. I just think Erik Paulson has taken it a step further by setting the example himself and proving what works and what doesn't. To me it's one thing to say it and it's one thing to prove it yourself.

I also believe Paul Vunak to be an exceptional fighter. However, I believe his way of JKD is not as alive, and that it's really meant for people whose proffession is dealing w/ potentialy hostile people. Not quite the norm for most civilians IMO. Also, I have seen Paulson show how to set people up to apply those dirty tricks for if the situtions calls for it.

So that is my reasoning for voting for Paulson. I'm not saying I'm right. I just figured creating this thread would lead to some lively discussion for some people, and I look forward to more of your guys' replies.

[Tim McFatridge]

I really like Erik and the way he trains his guys to fight. I have had the good fortune of training with him in the past and really enjoyed myself. As for Larry Hartsell I can say that he to has his guys do alot of sparring. I have trained with him for a long time and he has always pushed me. He actually trained Erik for a good while (I think 8 years or so) and Erik is actually an instructor under him. I understand what you are saying though and I agree with you. I also think that all those mentioned are very good martial artist in their own right.

[JustaFighter]

Thank you for the informative reply Tim. I didn't know that Erik trained under Hartsell for 8 years, or that Hartsell's training method has heavy amounts of sparring in it.

This is what I was hoping for. People giving informative reasons to who they think is doing there best in modernizing/updating JKD and why. If you think there is a better person not on the list let us know.

Tim made a good point. It was Hartsell that helped lay the foundation for Paulson to grow, create, and excell as a complete fighter. Another good question to ask is what other JKD instructors are out there helping people turn themselves into phenomenal fighters.(obviously proof to back up your claims would be nice)

[JustaFighter]

Originally Posted by aseepish

Add Burton Richardson, Roy Harris, Rick Faye, and Demi Barbito to the list...

I checked out the names and I believe you're right. These people are really good martial artists that have applied the philosophy and principles of JKD to what fits them and they are effective/efficient fighters in there favored form of combat.

I appreciate you helping to broaden my horizon and whoever elses that might venture onto this thread.

[Red Rum]

Just to say that if you look at the Dan Inosanto debate that raged a little while ago. I hope people can now appreciate what I was trying to say - a JKD guy who started this thread didn't even mention Inosanto!

[medic06]

Originally Posted by Red Rum

Just to say that if you look at the Dan Inosanto debate that raged a little while ago. I hope people can now appreciate what I was trying to say - a JKD guy who started this thread didn't even mention Inosanto!

The poll was, "Who did a better job updating/moderningJKD". Inosanto seems to prefer to preserve what Bruce Lee taught him while branching out into other systems of MA.

Care to compare any more apples to oranges??

[Red Rum]

Originally Posted by medic06

The poll was, "Who did a better job updating/moderningJKD". Inosanto seems to prefer to preserve what Bruce Lee taught him while branching out into other systems of MA.

Care to compare any more apples to oranges??

Any master worth his salt moves with the times, and there was a recent article in MAI magazine that commented on an Inosanto seminar. It was saying that he was constantly updating the art and trying to improve it

My point was that as 'the most influential martial artist in USA' and as a master of JKD, he should have been on the poll. The poll was attempting to find out who had done the most updating.

If I was creating a post on who has done a better job updating wing chun, I would list the best of the best.

[Tim McFatridge]

Ok guys...DO NOT TURN THIS INTO A DAN BASHING THREAD. The poll that was posted was someone's opinion and who he thought. Thats it...get back to who you think have done a better job. Keep it civil guys

Thanks

[JustaFighter]

I was hoping that this thread would be one of discussion not argument. I do believe I am to blame for not being clear. what I meant was...

What JKD person (outside of BL's orignal students) has done the better job updating/modernizing JKD?