Jeet Kune Do footwork

[Brokenmace]

Some footwork stuff:

First, the burning step shouldn't be taken without accompanying hand preps. Throw a faint and then step. If you prepare by throwing real attacks then palm at the face as they move back, the step should be hidden. Fire as they stop moving, or as they change directions and move forward. You need good distancing abilities. Pulling this off on an upper body draw is good.

Second, it's perfectly acceptably and doable (even on a seasoned fighter) to side kick the knee on entry. For instance, if you move back a half step, and they don't catch it (as many don't), you can throw the kick on a full step or even pendulum. If it's a real fight, you'll hurt them even if they retract their knee. Have you ever had your shin scraped with a full force sidekick? Hurts like a bitch.

Third, you can lul them into a pattern if you use the push shuffle at random and not just when you are kicking, especially if you keep a fingers-length out of range as you do so.

Fourth, there's nothing wrong with the pendulum step. I've even caught instructors with it. It's not a power delivery system. It's used almost exclusively with groin and inner thigh kicks (although you can use it with a knee/shin kick) Also, a kick delivered off a pendulum can be hard to catch, so is better against folks who like going to the ground, in my experience. If they time their shoot poorly, they'll get a knee to the face.

Last, don't be afraid to change leads. Changing leads can confuse attackers, especially if they aren't well-trained. Develop both sides of your body, but recognize which weapons work best on each side for YOU. Exploit it.

[JKDfreak]

Thanks a lot guys!!!!Thank you for your hard work Alex and Brokenmace.I don't know if I've already made the difference but thanks anyway,I'll discover the footwork patterns while practicing!!!
Have you heard of the Push step??Another variation of the Shuffle?

[Brokenmace]

Essentially, the Push Shuffle is the reverse (sort of) of the Step Slide Shuffle. Your rear foot pushes off first, instead of sliding behind a step, and your front foot lifts just clear of the ground, instead of a pronounced step. It is good for setting up hand techniques. The Step Slide is more for bridging the gap and advancing. You should be in your original stance when done.

Look at "Entering to Trapping to Grappling" by Larry Hartsell. Unless you study with an instructor, the hand techniques might be beyond you (flow can't be learned from the page). But it should be good enough for footwork. Also study the grappling, which is easier to follow than the trapping, and don't forget grappling footwork either.

Good luck

[JKDfreak]

So the¨Push Shuffle Step is like the Shuffle step or is it the same thing??It's like the burning side kick but less violent.
I'm going to look for this book.Thanks a lot.

[Fighter]

I was wondering have you bought the Bruce Lee series yet?

[Brokenmace]

The Push Shuffle and the Step Slide Shuffle look almost the same until you see someone doing it in front of you. It's a matter of which foot moves first and which leg applies the directional force.

Push Shuffle: Rear leg "pushes", front leg slides forward a few inches, rear leg slides up to return to bi-jong. Use for hand techniques

Step-Slide-Shuffle: Front leg steps out a few inches as needed to advance, rear leg slides forward to return to bi-jong. Use to advance forward. Reverse (use rear foot to step, front foot slides) to retreat (which you should only do as a tactical ploy, if possible).

Hard to explain in words.

On the Bruce Lee series of books: I would recommend those as well, along with the books and tapes of Inosanto's and Lee's senior students (second and third generation). I would also take a boxing class to help you with power and biomechanics, while using the books and tapes to inform this knowledge. Take wrestling too. Anyone should live within driving distance of a greco-roman wrestling coach!

Just remember, books, any books, are frozen in time and meant to counter the threats of a particular time. Don't use a sword to fight a tank. There are things in the BL series that might not work so well against a shooter, for instance. For the most part, though, it's solid stuff. For sparring, pay special attention to the Advanced Techniques book.

[Fighter]

Yes that is another thing. JKDfreak try sudying other styles in your area, there may not be a Jeet Kune Do school near you but thats not stopping you from learning. Bruce Lee studied over 15 martial arts.

Here are some martial arts to look for in your area. Muay Thai, Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, Wing Chun/Tsun, Boxing, Wrestling, Judo.

Cross train in a few of these as well as your knowlage you will be a fighting force.

Hope this helps and See Ya.

[JKDfreak]

Thanks for your advices and thank you for the explanation between Push step and Step&Slide.I finally got it!!!
I already know a lot about Jiu Jitsu and Judo.Some stuff about Wing Chun like the Sil Lum Tao:I had a friend who did Wing Chun but he moved to the USA.
I know that Bruce Lee studied a lot of Martial Arts.In fact JKD is a mixture of 26 different martial Arts.But I don't think i could learn the JKD footwork in Boxing.That's different.
I think I'll ask my friend to teach me Kick-Boxing and Karate so I can adapt my JKD strategies and concepts to it.
I still not understand the difference between:Pendulum,Burning Side kick or Burning Step and Shuffle.
With the Shuffle you don't take a step forward do you??

[Brokenmace]

"I still not understand the difference between:Pendulum,Burning Side kick or Burning Step and Shuffle.
With the Shuffle you don't take a step forward do you??"

Well, first off, you can learn proper mechanics, timing, and some footwork patterns from boxing that are directly related to JKD. As I said, the connections are sometimes hard to see without an instructor. Although most footwork in JKD is more related to fencing, the bob and weave, slipping and the basic punches (aside from the straight lead and the angular hook) all come from boxing, directly. Besides, most fighters in N. America and Europe are boxer/wrestlers, when they are trained at all. Know thy enemy.

As for the Pendulum: Your back foot sort of kicks the front foot out into its attack, replacing its position. When the weight transfers to the rear leg, you lean back with your hands up to evade counter attacks. The second your kick lands or missing (as the case may be), swing the motion in reverse and kick your supporting foot with your lead foot, returning to bi-jong.

The Burning Sidekick is the end result of the Burning Step. They are really one-in-the-same technique, as far as I know. All you are really doing is feinting to the opponent's head while stepping your lead foot toward the opposite side of your body to line it up with your rear foot. Important: the momentum of the step is meant to be transfered to the kick. Tap the ground and use the subtle bounce to aid the lifting of thigh and shin. Torque your hip and push off with your supporting leg. That's it.

As for the Push Shuffle: the word "shuffle" implies that you do not step but slide. This is somewhat misleading. It depends entirely upon the ground you're working on. Sliding on rubberized pads or grating wearing rubber-soled shoes is impractical and hazardous (you could twist your knee or pitch forward). It would also slow you down even if you could manage it. Only the barest or no contact with the ground should be maintained. If you are on difficult ground it is indeed a sort of step. The difference is that the motion in the legs is entirely in the rear leg. The lead knee does not bend passed its position in the bi-jong, but the leg is lifted slightly above the ground somewhat. In the S-S-Shuffle, your lead leg does all the stepping.

Contact can be maintained most easily on gravel, dirt, and tight carpeting. It is harder (but doable) on grass, concrete, and tile. It should never be attempted on rubberized surfaces, very slick ground, or mud.

Keep your hands up no matter what (another thing boxing teaches you). Have your friends yell at you if you drop your hands while doing footwork drills.

P.S. Don't pick up any bad habits from Karate or TKD. Never drop your hands to your waist. The combat utility of this action has been mostly lost in modern dojos. They say it is for power, but until you've attained a high degree of proficiency, it is almost impossible to pull off in combat against even an untrained apponent without first trapping them.

Someone told me the hand placement was originally used as a pulling action off a punch to yank spears and arms to off-balance an apponent. If so, no one teaches this anymore. It's bad news in the modern street confrontation.

[Fighter]

Yes if you are going to study other arts dont forget JKD and always remember that simplicity is best. Just make sure to take what works and ditch what doesn't.