How has you JKD evolved?

[gungfuhero]

Has what you do changed? What have you absorbed, rejected and what have you added that is specifically your own?

[Bushido]

Rejected some of striking techniques (sumultaneous blocking/striking, trapping, sao's), absorb alot of grappling...

-Bushido

[Maxximus]

I do a lot more sparring and grappling than I did when I first started JKD/MMA training. Quite awhile ago before i had any serious thai training I used the original bai jong stance and threw kicks mainly with my lead leg using Jun Fan technique all the time. Now I use more of a front stance and kick almost solely muay thai style, although Jun Fan kicking and footwork is still very useful at times. Not too long ago I made Bjj a major factor in my training, which has diversified my technique more. My training now consists of JKD, Thai, Shooto and Bjj. Although that may seem like a lot, I already have a good base in three of them and besides, there's a lot of overlap and stuff that really goes hand in hand. As for rejecting, I haven't totally rejected anything yet, as I do not feel that I am anywhere near the level to make that judgment. I'm still working the trapping and chi sao despite a lot of the opinions against it. I want to have a firm grasp of Jun Fan, and I also feel that the foundation of doing trapping and chi sao does come out, even if it is not necessarily in the form of precise pak sao lop sao trapping combinations.

[jitz]

I pretty much thru the trapping out and use the thai plum and wreastling techs at close range, alothough i still use a bong sao every once and a while. My fight style is 60/40 thai/bjj(gi/no gi), but my lead leg is still a bit jun fan-ish, which is scores a lot!.

[Twisted up]

Like many, I've rejected trapping. I can't fathom training something for so long that you never use when going full contact. It just doesn't make any sense. Perhaps Bruce Lee could make it work, but I'm not Bruce Lee.

I am currently training the stand-up, clinch, and ground as per the Straight Blast Gym. It flows smoothly from one range to the next without any interruptions. Isn't that what JKD was supposed to be?


Muay Thai, western boxing, savate, Greco-Roman, Brazilian jiu-jitsu pretty much sums it all up.


No Jun Fan for me thank you. I'm not into "Classical JKD"


John

[Bushido]

For my part, "my JKD" is about 2/3 Brazilian Jiujitsu (more self-defence aspect than sport) and 1/3 striking (fighting karate-muay thai). I have practiced fighting karate for 14 years when I began bjj, 3 years ago. From now on, I don't want anymore to improve my striking abilities, I just want to maintain the level I am now. Something is for sure, I want to improve and develop my jiujitsu skills, but, like I said, the self-defence aspect, because, imo, the sport aspect gives bad habit to the player: forgetting the opponents strikes!

[gungfuhero]

My ground game has become more aggressive, mostly because I started doing CSW and Shoot wrestling. I used to pull to guard a lot, but now I avoid being on bottom as much as I can. I try to get a quick submission, but if none present themselves, I try to sweep and get on top.

Since I started training my trapping under more pressure and seriously, it's gotten a lot better. I do the energy drills hard for minute rounds. I can and have used trapping to set up my blast, kickboxing and clinch in sparring. However, I don't always follow up quickly enough sometimes, and I end up fighting for the clinch rather than dominating it or getting a quick hit in but not following up with a heavy shot soon enough. Sometimes you get the bear and sometimes it skins you and eats you alive . I now see trapping for what it is: something that gives you a split second advantage that loses all function if it isn't acted upon immediately. It's over and done with in 2 seconds. This realization has really driven home that there is a serious need for a strong clinch game. Clinch skills often decide where the fight goes and how it gets there.

[Twisted up]

I really favor the clinch and groundfighting.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with any approach to groundfighting, be it Brazilian jiu-jitsu, CSW, whatever.

I train them all and more importantly, I train them "alive".

I don't mind spending time within the guard while sparring. Because I realize that if I am in the position in a street fight, I'll make sure I've got position and then just put thumbs in the eyes, elbow, etc.. Those things tend to open up the opponent for submissions and in particularly, sweeps.

Many people have talked smack about the BJJ guard. People forget, it isn't used the same way in a real fight. If you use it combatively (after much training sportively), you won't simply be lying there waiting for your opponent to make a mistake. You won't be there hardly any time at all before you've escaped, choked or broken something.....


John

[Bushido]

Is it me or clinch/submission seems more easy to do on the street than exchanging strikes. When doing so, the other guy, even if he is not trained, can hit your buzzer and bye-bye. Taking him on the ground seems safer to me...

[gungfuhero]

Brazilian JiuJitsu is still a big part of my ground game, and it definitely has its place. There are times when a more secure stratagey of forcing moves and more security are the way to go especially against a wrestler.

Something that greatly affected my evolution is the size advantage that pretty much all of my work out partners have over me. It's frustrating at times, but it keeps things real. You get a good view of your strengths and weaknesses when everyone you spar with is bigger and or stronger than you.

[Twisted up]

Bushido: It certainly isn't you! Oftentimes, this is exactly what you should do, other times perhaps it isn't.

The thing is, if the guy is a better puncher than you are (often all he needs to be is bigger than you), you'd be crazy to continue and try to strike him!

Taking an opponent into a clinch or the ground is the best strategy short of running away. If you can't (or won't) run, you've got to do what works.

I view stand up as an important part of training. However, I only use it to help obtain a clinch. I train stand-up to better defend myself against it, not so much for offense--although I'll hit when I can.

There are more fight finishers in the clinch or the ground. Not much you can do in long range short of kicks (not that great for the street) and punches. However, there are weight divisions in boxing for a REASON!

For me, the clinch is where I'd want to be so I can use HKE's and thumbs in the eyes. We all know what's available on the ground...

Good training!
John

[Paul Sharp]

I would hesitate to say there aren't as many fight stoppers in the Stand-up game. I have sparred with several boxers that were well below my weight class and they still took me to school.

One of my most painful knockouts to date was a dbl hook combo, first to my body just under my cross, second hook was to my head. I woke up to the sounds of Tool playing in my head. The guy I was sparring weighs about 160, I weighed around 240 at that time.

Weight disparity doesn't mean a thing if you can't connect.

I would have to say that is the latest evolution in my JKD. I've really been working hard on honing my Boxing skills. It really is the sweet science.

-Paul Sharp

[likuid]

ahhhhhh Grasshopper...the question should be, how is your JKD 'evolving'? 'Evolved' implies a finite conclusion...not very JKD

[gungfuhero]

I saw a pressure point "expert" on TLC last night who could stop your heart by slapping you on the wrist and kicking your arm . I've decided that I would rather sit around and get fat and learn these deadly secret than continue to train hard and evolve (good call likuid). I just need to achieve fanatic level and I'll be all set.

[Bushido]

Twisted up: i dont think that because the guy is bigger, he is a better puncher. Being big sure gives you punching power, but speed, coordination timing are important to be a good puncher. If he have all those elements . . . it's ground fighting time!!!