Gary Dill

[phillyman]

Can anyone give me insight on Gary Dill and his brand (so to speak) of JKD what he focuses on and his training methods?

[pcarney]

My instructor was part of Dill's organization for several years (they had a parting in the last couple years).
Dill studied under James Lee, who was Bruce's main Oakland school student. He's also got several black belts in a variety of karate and jiu-jitsu styles.

His system kept closely to the 'original JKD' pattern, I suppose you could say. He didn't add any elements of Arnis or other arts, it was pretty much modified wing chun. There was a small grappeling component, mostly stand up stuff. We spent alot of time doing his block and counters (well put together), and we did alot of 'combat freestyles' (one step sparring). There was a fair amount of trapping, but I never got the feeling it was presented in systematic way.

Dill is a big, fast man, and you could see that in the art he taught. There wasn't alot of footwork involved and he was all about a power punches. There was plenty of padwork, but alot was from static positions.

Let me put it this way - at the time, I was happy with the JKD program, but now that its changed (alot more footwork, bobbing, weaving, etc - a well put together trapping program - more drills against a resistant opponent) I like it alot more.

As far as Dill himself, he's, well, a badass. He's a big ex-cop Okie with some of the fastest hands I've seen. He had a 'my way' attitude, which I guess is appropriate if you head your own system, but it did leave to several of his top instructors leaving (my teacher included).

Hmm, this might be pretty vague. If you have questions on specific aspects of his JKD, I'd be glad to answer them.