Hello all,
I am new to all this and plan on starting taking classes/lessons soon. But I am curious. Do JKD practitioners have meets and tournements like the big Karate things? Do they go to Karate meets, national meets and tournements and spar or compete?

The reason I asked was a guy told me he heard about one time when some JKD guys or a JKD class or what have you went to some sort of mixed Martial Arts tournement. They kicked butt so bad the first couple of rounds or fights that the judges said they could watch but they could not fight any more, that they were too unconventional and were hurting the Karate guys too bad. Is that true, did that happen?
Just curious,
Dave E.
Millbrook, Al.

Hello David!

I have never heard of such an incident, and NO, we do not participate in any such events! Jeet Kune Do is about training for the reality of the streets, not the glory of the competition ring! Anyone who tells you differently is not representing the art properly!

Keep Blasting!
Sifu Lamar M. Davis II
Senior Instructor
Hardcore Jeet Kune Do
Sifu@HardcoreJKD.com
http://www.HardcoreJKD.com
Kwoon (205) 274-9011

"Hit Hard, Hit Fast, Hit First - ALWAYS!"

"What is Jeet Kune Do (JKD)? Chinese martial art, definitely! It is a kind of Chinese martial art that does away with the distinction of branches, an art that rejects formality, an art that is liberated from tradition." __Bruce Lee

Thank you Sifu Davis,
I am glad to hear that Sifu and I agree with you totally. I think it is neat and unique that we (JKD practitioners) don't train and spar for show or for some public spectical. I agree that martial arts should be purely about improving one's spiritual and physical being and being a practical and effective means of fighting and self defense.

I am taking JKD (not started quite yet) not only because I am a fan of Bruce Lee, to honor him, etc., and to better my physical and mental being, but also because I want to learn how to defend my self quite effeciently. I am no bully or trouble maker, but I want to be able to strike or kick an assailant or trouble maker, anywhere on his body that I choose and to inflict the amount of pain and damage that I choose, and he not be able to do a thing about it!
Sincerely,
David Edelen
Millbrook, Al.

And it is for this very reason that a fit and healthy freestyle karate practicioner, muay thai fighter or tae kwon do athlete with experience in full contact sparring could probably knock the stuffing out of today's JKD players.

Sparring is important, important, important!

It's not about the glory of the ring, but about pushing your body to make use of what you've learned to overcome A REAL PERSON! sure there are BIG limitations on the techniques you can use - but I see equal limits on constantly training against an opponent "giving" you his punches.

If someone who does JKD does not have the stamina to keep up for 3 minute rounds against proper fit stylist fighters then how can they be so confident to make it happen in the street with no rules?

Hello!

If you are going to come onto this forum and make such a bold statement as if you are an all knowing authority, at least have the guts to post your real name and contact information! I don't mind you sharing your opinion, but I and the other readers would like to know who's opinion we are reading!

Yes, sparring is important! Yes, conditioning is important! But, in the street there is no time for sparring or playing around, which is why I have what I call the THREE SECOND RULE! If it isn't over in three seconds, I did something wrong! So far I haven't violated that rule! THAT is REALITY!

Finally, last year, just after turning 48 years of age, I decided to stop doing bouncer work. Why? Was it because I couldn't do it anymore? No! It was because I finally met the woman I have looked for all my life! Working a rough nightclub on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 9:00 to 4:00 or 5:00 the next morning just suddenly didn't fit into my lifestyle anymore! I am very pleased to say that in all the years I worked as a bouncer, and in private security, Jeet Kune Do NEVER let me down in any conflict! NEVER! THAT is MY REALITY!

Keep Blasting!
Sifu Lamar M. Davis II
Senior Instructor
Hardcore Jeet Kune Do
Sifu@HardcoreJKD.com
http://www.HardcoreJKD.com
Kwoon (205) 274-9011

"Hit Hard, Hit Fast, Hit First - ALWAYS!"

"What is Jeet Kune Do (JKD)? Chinese martial art, definitely! It is a kind of Chinese martial art that does away with the distinction of branches, an art that rejects formality, an art that is liberated from tradition." __Bruce Lee