more quickly.
I N A REAL FIGHT , the participants do not simply stand in one place waiting to be hit. They also do not remain in a single position, believing that they will be able to strike their opponent with impunity. In real fighting the participants are moving about, either trying to inflict strikes on each other, or trying to avoid being hit. Moreover, when they do move around, it is usually not from the low, crouching stance that is often associated with traditional martial arts. They are usually standing up, like boxers, running around quickly, chasing each another, or evading each other.
As Bruce Lee matured in his understanding of the true nature of combat, he came to realize the importance of mobility in fighting. So, when he developed the Jeet Kune Do bai-jong, or onguard stance, he designed it so that the fighter could move quickly in response to the actions of the opponent. He liked the way that fencers were able to advance and retreat rapidly, so he incorporated some of their footwork into his empty-hand method of fighting. Similarly, he appreciated the way that boxers could move around, keeping up on their toes, and staying light on their feet. So Lee also absorbed some of their footwork into Jeet Kune Do.
To be an effective fighter, you must move close enough to the opponent to be able to strike him or her with an appropriate tool, for example, a kick or a punch. Moreover, you must be able to deliver the strike with power, speed, and accuracy, or it will fall short of its intended purpose. Without proper footwork and mobility, you cannot advance toward your opponent in order to accomplish this.
However, being able to advance so that you can attack your opponent is not enough. Your opponent is also going to be attacking you. You need to use footwork and mobility to move away from your opponent so that his or her strikes fall short of landing on you. Not only does this keep you safe, but the failure to connect with you frustrates your opponent psychologically. Emotionally upset opponents are, in some ways, much easier to defend against because they are apt to make more mistakes that you can exploit to your own advantage.
Proper footwork and mobility can also put you into position to counterattack when your opponent tries to strike you. So, rather than going back and forth trading kicks and punches with your opponent, you can strike in the midst of your opponent’s attack. This is a more efficient and effective way to deal with an opponent.
In employing any kind of footwork, there are certain qualities that are essential to efficiency and speed. First, you must ensure that you maintain a good sense of balance. You begin with a properly balanced bai-jong stance. As you move into the next position, make sure that you end up in a balanced bai-jong stance. If you lose your balance during your transition, you will not be able to strike from a strong position. Also, from an awkward position, you will not be able to defend well against your opponent’s attack. Your opponent can more easily take you to the ground, where you will be more vulnerable.
Second, make sure that your footwork movements are as smooth as possible. That does not necessarily mean that you must move gracefully, because you may occasionally use quick, jerky movements, in what is known as broken rhythm. However, when you move, it should be without clumsiness and without stumbling. You should move without hesitation, unless the hesitation is deliberate. For the most part you should keep your head at an even level as you move, not bobbing up and down, which makes your transition time longer.
Third, when you take steps, make them short and quick. That way, you can move rapidly from one position to the next, ready to go. Avoid lengthy steps that take longer to complete. The longer you are in transition from one spot to the next, the more vulnerable you will be to your opponent’s strikes. You are the most stable when both of your feet are on the ground, and the least stable when one or both feet are in transition, not grounded.
Fourth, maintain the integrity of your bai-jong stance when you start and when you end, as well as during your movement, as much as possible. You should keep your hands and arms up as you move, except when you extend your upper body tools to strike. Likewise, you should maintain your small phasic bent-knee position, except when you are using your lower body tools during your movement.
Footwork Movements
From the bai-jong Lee compiled a number of different footwork methods designed to accomplish different purposes. The Jeet Kune Do student should learn the mechanics of each of these types of footwork and practice them often, so that they become as natural as walking or running. The student should also understand the specific circumstances in which each particular type of footwork movement is employed, in order to execute them at the right moment.
Step and Slide Advance
In order to successfully launch an attack upon your opponent, you must be in range to do so. Often, you do not start out in the proper range, so you need to first enter it so that you can attack from there. The step and slide advance is the type of footwork that you would use to close in on an opponent.
From the bai-jong position, you take a step forward with your front foot. Your front heel should land first, followed by the ball of your foot, as in walking. As your weight drops onto the front leg, your rear leg should slide forward, almost gliding along the ground. As it does so, the rear heel should remain in raised position. Your rear leg slides forward until it is the same distance behind your front foot as before. Make sure that, as you complete this series of movements, you do not drop and raise your body, but keep your head level. You should be back in the bai-jong, but closer to your opponent.
Because the purpose of this footwork is to enter into the range where you can launch your attack, check your position in relationship to your opponent. If he or she is in your range, then you can attack. If your opponent is still too far away, or has moved away in response to your movement, then repeat the step and slide advance to move into range. It is generally safer to use two or more smaller step and slide movements to close in than it is to use one larger movement, which makes you more vulnerable to counterattack.
Step and Slide Retreat
This type of footwork is used to move away from an opponent. You can employ it, for instance, when you want to open the distance between you and your opponent to give yourself more safety. You can also use it when your opponent advances toward you to adjust your distance relative to him or her. If your opponent throws a punch at you, you can take a quick step and slide retreat to avoid the punch. However, you remain in range to easily launch a counterattack, by not moving back too far.
To execute this movement, you begin from bai-jong position and take a small step back with your rear foot. As you land on your rear foot and shift your weight to your rear leg, you slide your front foot back until it is the same distance from your rear leg as before. You should end up in the bai jong, as before, with
