JDK the right decision?

[TheHorror]

hey guys

I'm a total newbie when it comes to martial arts, I been wanting to take up a martial art ever since I was 13. I always wanted something realistic, something with a kickboxing and grappling influence, something I can be well rounded with and i might add i need soemthing where I don't waste my time training in useless moves i probaly won't be using in the streets or soemthing i simply don't feel comfortable doing . my cousin told me about jeet kune do, so i researched it and I believe I have an idea what Jeet kune do is, I know it isn't a style but a concept, my question is, is jkd right for my needs? and does anyone know any good JKD clubs in los angeles, i know theres alot of schools to choose from but I don't want to make a mistake of falling into a unrealistic martial art,

[BeingAtOne]

I think and this is just my opinion that it really depends on the instructers I mean some JKD instructors focus sometimes on I guess you would call Jun Fan Kickboxing elements other more on Kali and some more into Grappling What im trying to say is there are alot of different approaches and I gusy you would call styles these instructers teach so really it has more to do with the instructer. On a simaler note if you find a good instructor for yourself in Jeet Kune Do he should be able to help you with all your aspects you were talking about. I would check out alot of schools around your area you will find the one you like and thats effective for you.

[elementaldrive]

remember what Bruce wrote

"cast aside what is not useful and incorporate what is." JKD is "no form" as opposed to "not having form"

[elitecombatives]

JKD has two main branches. 1st branch is the Original JKD and the 2nd is the JKD Concepts (lead by Dan Inosanto). Remember that both are great and not one is better. With this said, I want to suggest that you do not approach your JKD training thinking that it is a pure concept because you will be in for a surprise. Join a school (any school) or seek ligit 1st -2nd gen instructors original or concepts teacher, depending on what you want). You will see that it goes beyond concepts / philosophy / principles, you will need to know how to hit, kick WITH COORDINATION and footwork. Try doing it and you may be surprised that its not that easy. If you think it's easy, then try it with strikes, AND then try it with someone coming at you like a bull. The point I'm trying to make is that JKD (OJKD or JKDC) both have important, essential qualities that take time, months, years, lifetime to achieve. Don't forget sensitivy, energy, attributes training. Those are not concepts but physical training that makes you a JKD man/women. With the ability to move physically, then you can apply the concepts to what you know during combat. For example, you can finally punch BUT now do it without telegraphing, with speed, precision, with the push shuffle etc.... These things take time and definitely not as easy as saying it's a concept. If it was true, then it doesn't even have to be Bruce's Lee's JKD (CONCEPT) or principles. IT can be simply calling it street smarts, street fighting where all you need to do is fight smart, strategically and using the most simple and direct approach to winning a fight. I suggest training under an instructor and then finding the truth yourself. "To see is to be deceived, to hear is to be lied to, but to feel is to believe" GOOD LUCK - let us all know where you go train, your new instructor and how it goes!

[thtackett]

Elite,
Excellent post. I agree.
Tim