The art of offensive defense
Though your style should be a combination of offense and defense, I often stress that offense should be the more emphasized. This does not mean that we should neglect defense; actually, as the reader will later realize, into every jeet kune do offense, defense is also welded in to form what I term “defensive offense.”
In attacking, you must never be halfhearted. Your main concern is with the correct and most determined execution of your offensive. You should be like a steel spring ready at the slightest opening to set the explosive charge of your dynamic attack.
Every attack you make should be penetrating, disturbing your opponent’s rhythm and bringing pressure upon his morale. Remember though that your hands are not a hatchet (a common image nowadays) to chop your opponent down. Rather, they are keys to unlock your opponent’s defense, and a different lock requires a different key.
It is easy to learn the mechanics of an attack, but to apply that attack in time with the opponent and at the correct distance takes a lot of practice.
Thus in order for an attack to be successful requires this fitting in with the opponent. To attack correctly, you must have a keen sense of timing with the opponent, a good judgment of distance between you and him, and the right application of speed and rhythm with the reactions of your adversary.
There is no effective trick to stop a properly timed simple attack, and always remember the best technique in offense or defense is the simple one properly performed.
“Defense is offense, offense is defense” is a phrase uttered by many systems. But looking at it closely, all of these systems devote themselves on a passive block and then an active offense. Though aggressive parrying is used occasionally in jeet kune do, the best parry is still the kick and the blow.
Aggressive defense
The leading right shin/knee stop kick
When your opponent attacks you, he has to come to you, and his action of coming toward you offers you to apply the theory of attack given in the previous section, that of using the longest against the closest. When your opponent advances toward you, he presents to you his “advanced target” of his shin and knee. Before his attack is halfway through, you can stop kick him and check his attack.
Figure 1. A and B facing each other.
Figure 2. Awareness is most important in the success of any stop hit or kick, though the stop kick is easier, allowing the defender more time due to the longer kicking distance between him and his opponent. The second A is aware of B's initial onslaught, A immediately shoots out his shin/knee stop kick while arching back for power and safety distance.
The side kick
The longest of all kicks, this side rear kick can be a strong defensive weapon, especially against all-hand attacks, round-house kicking, or rear leg attack of the opponent.
The hook kick
A good counter kick, especially against hand attacks.
The finger jab
Using footwork
Additional aggressive defense factors that all martial artists should consider
The inside high parry
The outside high parry
The inside low parry
The outside low parry
The element of offensive defense
Jeet kune do (JKD) signifies offensive defense.
Every attacker must have within himself a touch of the gambler. Never attack halfheartedly—penetrate in, concern yourself only with the correct and most determined execution of your offense.
Offensive defense pointers
1. Use the longest (weapon) against the closest (target).
2. Use leg first in attack, then having bridged the gap, use the hands.
3. Make indirect attack out of them, feint head first if hitting low (this is not always the rule)—do not set pattern which will allow your opponent to time you.
[By defense, every means of frustrating and punishing one’s opponent’s lead.]
Does not necessarily mean the attacking man will land the kick or blow.
The successful avoidance of a blow presents on most occasions the opportunity for a counterattack.
Best defense is not to let the attack get started, to keep the opponent continually on the defensive.
Aggressive defense—each defensive move must be accompanied by a counterattack or be followed immediately by a counterattack.
Gung fu is not primarily defensive but indicates that knowledge of this art results in a person being able to defend himself.
It doesn’t mean trading punches, nothing so crude.
Principles
Parry as late as you dare.
Weapons and targets
There is only one basic principle of self-defense: You must apply the most effective weapon as soon as possible to the most vulnerable point of your enemy. You’ll find in this note diagrams showing the most effective weapons given to you by nature and the most vulnerable points of the body.
A jeet kune do weapons arsenal
JKD kicks from a right stance:
Side kick
1. Downward side kick (shin/knee and thigh)
• Right simple side kick to knee/shin
• Right simple side kick to thigh or rib
Parallel side kick (ribs, stomach, kidneys)
• Right simple side kick to head
• Angle in high side kick (to left stance)
• Angle in low side kick (to left stance)
