Jeet Kune Do footwork

[JKDfreak]

I'm learning Jeet Kune Do on my own,because I don't have a scholl near my house.So I bought the Tao of jeet kune Do and 2 books from Bruce Lee about the principles&strategies and about the hand and kicking techniques.But the only thing I need to know is the different footwork pattern like the pendulum step or the Burst.I'd like to know how to do it.
Thanks a lot.

[pcarney]

The pendulum step is simple- basically, if you're moving forward, the back foot comes forward and displaces the front foot. It works in reverse to move back. Make sure you're not straightening your knees as you move- your head should remain at the same height throughout the movement.

When moving side to side, move the closest foot first- if you're moving right, the right foot moves, then the left foot follows.

We also use diagonal footwork- if you're stepping to the right and up, the right foot goes first- if you're moving diagonally left, I like to switch leads.

Make sure to keep your knees bent as you move (but not too far, no deep stances here), and keep that back heel up. Once again, your head should stay at the same height.

The 'Burst' sounds to me like a lunge- bring the front foot up, and push off with the back.

I would highly recommend finding a school instead of teaching yourself - even if it isn't JKD. There's a certain 'feel' to martial arts you can't get from a book, but only from a instructor. Also, its necessary to work drills, etc, against a live partner in order to truelly learn them.

[JKDfreak]

Thanks a lot pcarney I'll follow ur advice but I don't know if the footwork of Karate or classical Kung Fu is the same as JKD footwork.Karate emphasis on deep stance so I'll try to attend one class and see what happens.I have read in my books that the footworks in JKD must remain simple and natural.Am I right??

[Alex]

I believe the 'burst' is also referred to as the 'burning step', as in 'burning step side kick'. I'm not going to try and describe it in writing, maybe someone else would like to try.

[pcarney]

Originally posted by JKDfreak
Thanks a lot pcarney I'll follow ur advice but I don't know if the footwork of Karate or classical Kung Fu is the same as JKD footwork.Karate emphasis on deep stance so I'll try to attend one class and see what happens.I have read in my books that the footworks in JKD must remain simple and natural.Am I right??

As much as I dig the JKD, if I didn't have a JKD school in the area, I would pursue another art altogether, that's how important I think a 'live' teacher is, as compared to books. Of course, if you only have McDojos in the area, or if you just couldn't stand what was available, that may be an issue.

As far as the burning foot side kick-
1. Start in your JKD stance.
2. Bring your lead foot over. In effect, you would be entering a side stance.
3. Displace the front foot with the rear foot and perform the side kick.
The 'burning foot' term comes from the fact that the 2 and 3rd steps should be performed almost simultaneously- the front foot should not stay there very long, as if you put your foot down on hot sand and it was being..well..burned.

[doubleouch]

I think most of what is taught about footwork just amounts to dead patterns, even in JKD. Most of what you need to know about footwork is when someone tries to hit you step out of the way. Steping to the side is better than stepping back. Never cross your feet. Keep your feet about a shoulder width appart. Keep good spring in your knees. Never be in striking range unless you are striking. If you know this much it will take care of 90% of what you will ever need to know. The pendelum, burst, cross step etc. has mostly been turned into the "classical mess."

[Fighter]

JKD foot work is ver different to any classical style if I was you and was looking for some good books look at these.

Bruce Lees Fighting Method: Basic Training
Bruce Lees Fighting Method: Skill in Techniques
Bruce Lees Fighting Method: Advanced Training

But you should try to find a school near you.

[JKDfreak]

Thank u very much for your advices and I'll try to purchase these three books,maybe it could help me.
But as far as I understood,for the burning side kick:You take a small step forward with your lead foot and then you displace the front foot with your rear foot and throw the side kick.But doesn't the small step of the lead foot telegraph your move??Although it's done simutaneously?
I know also the names of other footwork patterns like the Shuffle,the Step & Slide and the cross step.But I don't know how to used them and for what purpose.Step & Slide is I think :Step forward with your lead foot then slide your rear foot where your front foot was.
The shuffle is you make a step forward with your lead foot and you displace your front foot with your rear foot. I don't know the cross step.
One more question is how do you train your balance for the side kick???

[Alex]

Burning step side kick. The step is not just forward, it is a step forward and to the inside, to line your lead leg up with your rear leg. Then the rear leg comes up and displaces the front, the front throwing the side kick.

Even done quickly, there certainly is some telegraphing of the movement. But you are not going to use this against a fresh fighter at the beginning of a fight anyway, right?

[pcarney]

Originally posted by Alex

Even done quickly, there certainly is some telegraphing of the movement. But you are not going to use this against a fresh fighter at the beginning of a fight anyway, right?

True. I find I use the sidekick more to as a stop hit than anything else. I guess it could be an entry technique, but as you say, it is telegraphed and easily avoided and caught.

[Alex]

I agree with pcarney, the primary use for my sidekick is also for stop-kicking. It can be fired pretty quickly though, with little to no telegraphing, in my opinion.

I was specifically referring to the telegraphing of the burning step sidekick, because of the 'wind-up' step that initiates the movement.

While some kicks can be difficult to execute without telegraphing, (especially if using a pendulum step to close a gap) they can be executed so that the recipient does not know what kick is coming. If the leg is fired properly, it can be 'turned into' a sidekick, hook kick, straight kick after the initial movement has begun.

I hate trying to describe this stuff in words! LOL

[JKDfreak]

Thank you everyone for youe nice replies.I finally grasp the "burning side step" by practicing it and study the movement.Now I know what it means "Self-Discovery" and what Jeet Kune Do consist of.
For me the pendulum-step is more a "fake attack":you shuffle forward and then imediately shuffle backwards to your original position.Or in reverse :backwards then forwards.

[Alex]

The 'fake attack' you describe is only one application of the pendulum step, and it would be tough to pull off on anyone with a bit of experience fighting, because as soon as you go to recover, they will be all over you.

When the rear foot displaces the front foot, the front foot can be fired out into a sidekick or whatever, and then recovered.

[JKDfreak]

That's the "pendulum step"??It sounds like the"burning ide kick" to me.What's the difference between the two?

[Alex]

Burning step side kick covers more ground than the pendulum.
Burning step, the front foot moves first; with the pendulum the rear foot moves first. With the pedulum, you 'swing' back to your original postion, with the burning step you do not. With the pendulum, the head does not move, the torso 'swings' under the head. With the burning step, the head and body move toward the target as the gap is closed. (The head of course ends up 'tipped back' when the side kick is parallel to the ground.) Geez this is hard to describe...

It is difficult to explain without a demonstration, but rest assured, the 'burning step sidekick' is not the same as a pendulum step with a kick.