The GREAT JEET KUNE DO Debate! SORTA... Concepts vs. Original! SETTLED! | The KFG Podcast #182

Oh man, this is a great interview!!!

Dan that he split the bruce lee art into jun fan gung fu as physical art and jkd as concept

Why dan teach Bruce Lee art of jkd as jun fan gung fu and he claim that is what Bruce Lee thought as jkd ...and then he replaced jkd to jkd concept to apply the concept into other arts ... Before that changes dan was thought jkd as jkd so what happened.

MAN....This was Good. Dwight was nice with the " Illumination" and knowledgeable as heck. Will be letting this play, as I go out for my Runs, all year👍

That's why Bruce closed his school was because he didn't want his style taught the conventional way it's being taught.

Bruce was very clear in his teaching, notes, and interviews. He left examples and the blueprint. Yet everyone is emotionally protecting their bias and in search of the "secrets." Here's a couple things Jerryt Poteet used to say to me: "The only secret is there are no secrets." and "if it's passive, if it's complicated, if it's telegraphic, it's not JKD. Alex did a smart thing with a question were Dwight answered that JKD is taught separately over there at Dan's. Ok, then would that make it "original?" And do you have to learn other stuff - classical arts which Bruce avoided, just to get to the JKD? JKD doesn't need styles. whether you copy and paste and mix it into the curriculum, or collect belts and certificates and then apply JKD principles to them. Bruce was very clear about this also. In fact, he and Jerry had this very conversation, which many are aware of. Where's the creativity there? And who gets to decide with "arts" make the cut? The piece people are missing is, "Essence." It's not styles - thats the lazy way. Strip away the non-essential. Otherwise, you end up with a fixed process on either side. Forget original, forget concepts, what's left? The work. Whats the end goal? Hint, it's not style. And it's not choreography.
Think like a fighter, not a stylist or technician. I know a handful of people that trained with one or more first gen students and after they became an instructor - or any point leading to that, they realized they cant fight. they learned moves and choreography. So they learned to fight and dropped the name JKD. And that, is more JKD than most. To others, club membership is more important. I teach what Bruce taught, and I teach where the finger was pointing. That, is self expression. Just as Bruce was also clear about. To many, original means to teach only what Bruce taught. And concepts is to learn styles and toss them in - even when it violates Bruces own principles. To me, both have grossly misunderstood.

I truly believe if Bruce Lee wouldn't have died, HIS JKD would have evolved constantly. Lets not forget JKD was still fairly new; & I wouldn't doubt as he got wiser he would incorporate new styles into it. I bet we would see a version where at an older age(where he would lose his speed) he would have to use different moves to defeat an opponent. Just an alternate reality I wish existed I guess 🥲

In a weird way Kung Fu Panda kinda explains what JKD is when Po opens the dragon scroll 😅

In Seattle we stay out of the OJKD vs JKDC debate. If Sijo Bruce came to Seattle today, he would see it exactly as he left it...In good hands! Keep training guys! 🐉

Ted wong material never saw his stuff in guro Dan's seminars did 20 years of seminars

Glad I’m not the only one who was annoyed with those camera angles in the movie fight(s) with Chuck Norris and even Robert Baker in Fists of Fury and Way of The Dragon…I even try slowing the playback multiple times over like, “I CAN’T SEE WHAT THE HELL HE’S DOING!!!!”

But on another note, I never knew there was this divide amongst JKD students; frankly I always thought JKD was something unique to Bruce and was “unteachable” so to speak.

Excellent episode; thanks, Alex and Dwight!

I hate to say this , but I hope Bruce would've commercialized Jeet Kune Do. So we could have it here in South Africa

I wonder if Bruce would have said something along the lines of there is no such thing as a segment of totality. Or that styles and systems separate human beings. . Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless and add what is specificity your own. As simple as it sounds…. I think his message was about the individual looking for truth and liberation from style or system. Liberation from the group mentality. And adapting to circumstances. By naming it JKD concepts or original is to impose the group, the tribe. Then to articulate what the group does and does not do. Is to fragment. Jeet Kune Do is just a name please don’t fuss over it etc.. The message is what’s important. I think Bruce believed his art wasn’t for the masses, wasn’t to be commercialised. For to do so would make it a style with branches and rules and solidify it. Diametrically opposing his philosophy and message. Perhaps too many are starring at the finger. Great episode KFG.! Thought provoking!

your face is more bizarre than any AI 😂😂😂😂😂

You know this sounds really similar to wing chun…… philosophy? Wing chun more than shapes and form?

That was an interesting point about the goofy foot right handers. They're also called converted southpaws in Boxing. Mike Tyson is actually left handed, but he fights with his left hand in front. He said the reason why is it allows him to have a better jab and entry as well as a better left hook, which, as you know, was devastating! I also have some friends who play baseball. They're right-handed but they bat as a leftie with their right arm in front. At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference. Too many JKD guys are hung up on doing everything exactly like Bruce Lee or what they think he did.

How and why did Dan Inosanto receive three certificates all on the same day (question for Dwight)?

So its NOT a JKD vs JKD issue after all, true... But an even greater JKD vs KALI (FMA) one... *cue monkey side eye meme* Thats quite a revelation! LOL

So there was an attempt to enshrine Jeet Kune Do by all parties upon Bruce lee's passing. Also quite shocked to know that the "Absorb what is useful" Maoist quote was appropriated by Inosanto's for his Kali class as similar in essence all the while erroneously attributed to Bruce Lee by everyone else. While JKD guys bark at each other, its the FMA/Kali guys and inosanto's kali alterego who ran with it.


Always wondered how FMA can so readily take techniques from other arts... *cue monkey side eye meme again* I guess that's the answer...

Dwight, your knowledge and insight is very impressive.

I would like to have a private class with you. How can I get in touch with you?

as always, great content! it will be amazing to see Richard Torres Dwight Woods debate! Why did we never see Richard Torres in your show?
the guy is one of the best if not the number one Bruce Lee historian in my opinion.(KFG is amazing easily one of the top 4 in the world)

A thoroughly enjoyable episode,and thats all i gotta say about that!😊

Thanks guys excellent talk. To me Dwight should be the ambassador of JKD. One of the more important things he said is he
Follows the “middle way” which I think JKD is all about anyway. Where the whole is greater than the sum of its individual parts. I.e. no way as way.

Best podcast of all time.

Bravo KFG and Mr. Woods! At first kind of reluctant at tuning in with this theme, but the choice here and format - went straight to solid and valid points. Dwight, you covered all the bases here with good articulation and backed by hard facts. I too stay away from this like the plague, but your position here is outstanding. Like myself - in the middle and really do not bother with it all. Their term “invisible” is spot on! So many years of hearing everyone but it’s founder try to define what it all is or is not is exhausting and a waste of breath, let alone self serving. And great explanation on Dan’s approach. I am with you on it being a system and philosophy that was continuously evolving, unfortunately evolving without its original creator. I too followed decree with militant degree - What I do is not JKD only my understanding and application of the gift of the system I luckily discovered. While at the same time, do not discredit my founder while never defining it as his way or the systems way. Any who, great job at probably the only JKD “debate” all should listen too. Props to Dwight and as always well done KFG! Love how mindful you are Dwight on the subject as well as well informed and perfect in your delivery - which in truth reflects an individual that has learned from this amazing system! Same goes to KFG who constantly proves he is an exemplary product of his training and love of his art/process. Kudos to both!

I’m sure you’ve seen this but have you seen the video on stripey’s channel with Joe Lewis and Bob walls talking whack about Bruce? Bob showing photos fabricating stories about “hiring” all the guys lol.

Great insightful video, Alex could you do a deep dive video on Bruce Lee's training with fook yeung would be very interesting to find out more thank you

Awesome show gentlemen. This was long overdue. Sifu Dwight, thank you for you honest explanation on Sifu Dan and his work. It’s a shame that Richard Torres chose not to debate. It would have been interesting to learn more about his relationship with Ted Wong and why he chooses to disparage Sifu Dan Inosanto. Maybe next time.

Mark Stewart who's trained extensively under Inosanto, Lucaylucay and Tes Wong would be a great martial artist to talk to!

So much insight here, great episode

The idea that a student had to learn Kali when entering an alleged school of Jeet Kune Do...and then be voted into the JFJKD class...seems like Kali grooming to me.

I feel as if Dwight is making thing up as he goes... Bruce Lee said in 1972 that Dan Inosanto was becoming TOO STYLIZED...

What an interesting episode! I am the biggest Bruce Lee fan there is so I was glued to the screen the whole time!

Dwight, I have huge respect for you already, because of the pictures on the wall behind you!

And the mess continues with this conversation nothing new we need to Richard here .

At the Kung Fu genius. Do you know where I can find a non classical windshield or a Jeep? Cuendo place close to Kissimmee, Florida or Deltona, Florida, thank you.

I only trust bruce lee tommy carruthus, frank furt and john paul as they actually and strong and what they say and advise is logical. Some changes where made later on specifically the stance and some techniques. Jeet Kune Do is about Effectively and Effeciently surviving a dangerous encounter. Main thing is training your body with calisthenics to br fit enough to even do basic trchniqurs after that is training stance, footwork, arm tech and leg tech. Main targets are eye groin and knee as long as we agree on that it is no big deal.

Before I’ve watched the whole debate with Original vs Concepts-my answer is YES please. Original JKD Concepts if you will ;). Why limit yourself or as Bruce Lee would say: Why the Duality?

I don't think he mentioned any JKD 'concepts', such as the Hammer Principle, Steal a Step, Double Pak, Centerline Simultaneous Parry and Strike, e.g.. Not much info from him, IMO. Maybe next time.

Have you seen Eddie Halls mma fight with two guys? It was terrible but also kind of funny lol

Other than trolls and seminar sifus promoting their school seem to be the biggest aggravators of this “argument” I’ve even encountered a Wing Chun instructor that moved from NY to Los Angeles to make a name for himself that claimed he taught JKD. When I asked who he learned from he responded “I read the Tao of JKD and it’s just modified WC” so it’s everywhere. Worst perpetrators seems to be the 3rd gen “original” crowd trying to get views these days. Especially from a certain Scot. They won’t even listen to us 2nd gen instructors

Great discussion

😎🤙

Great insights !!!

Absolutely awesome discussion!!! :)

I watched the podcast, exellent brother, my only problem is, during bruce lees lifetime, it was boxing, fencing and trapping, it would take years to master or even get good at these, also, to train in self defence, you must keep it simple, in all honesty, where I live in the UK, the jkd SUCKS, completely watered down, no trapping or chi sau training, so please tell me, why would I want to learn silat, kali, bjj, bruce lees origional jkd and TRAINING METHODS is enough, straight to the point, I love and respect Dwight, but was JERRY POTEET WRONG, WAS TED WONG WRONG, WAS OAKLAND JKD WRONG, NO, I DONT THINK THIS ARGUEMENT HAS BEEN RESOLVED, ALEX, YOU YOURSELF HAD BAD EXPERIENCE WITH A CERTAIN JKD INSTRUCTOR, I JUST WANT TO SAY GOD BLESS YOU AND DWIGHT

This was great, please get Dwight on again! We needed a level headed conversation like this.Will be checking out his channel.

Been waiting for this one !!!!!!!

Dwight is legitimately THE man to talk about JKD concepts. An absolute legend.

There is no original JKD, Bruce Lee started out modifying Wing Chun up in Seattle, then evolved into JKD,, and it continues to evolve. It's different for each practitioner.