What Is Jeet Kune Do ?

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Jeet Kune Do

What is it?

Jeet Kune Do was founded by Bruce Lee and translates from Cantonese as “The Way Of The Intercepting Fist”

The full name of the system is Jun Fan Gung Fu Jeet Kune Do, Jun Fan was Bruce Lee`s Chinese birth name.

Jeet Kune Do is a non-classical hybrid system that includes concepts and techniques from various different styles of Martial Arts.

The idea of intercepting is key to Jeet Kune Do, whether it be the interception of your opponent’s technique or his intent. The basic guiding principles are: simplicitydirectness and freedom (the form of no form)

Lee did not want to be bound by one particular style or idea. He would quote “Using No Way As The Way; Having No Limitation As Limitation”

In Jeet Kune Do there are four main ranges of combat that the student trains in

  1. Kicking
  2. Punching
  3. Trapping
  4. Grappling

There are various ways of attacking and these were categorised by 5 methods

  1. Single Direct Attack
  2. Attack By Combination
  3. Progressive Indirect Attack
  4. Hand Immobilisation Attack
  5. Attack By Drawing

Another important component of Jeet Kune Do training is the centre line theory.

The three guidelines for centreline are:

  1. The one who controls the centre line will control the fight.
  2. Protect and maintain your own centre line while you control and exploit your opponent’s.
  3. Control the centre line by occupying it.

Keith Gilliland

Chief Instructor & Founder

Gilliland Martial Arts & Fitness Academy

 

Basics

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Basics

This is the foundation of all we do.

The basics are literally the building blocks of your training learning and development in Martial Arts.

When your learning your basics you should be striving for good form and correct method of delivery.

A lot of students want to skim over or even skip basic practice.

In my decades of involvement in Martial Arts and other sports it’s the basics that count.

Champion fighters use basic techniques to win.

Watch a pro boxer shadow boxing going through his paces.

High level grades should look at being able to perform the basics in an advanced way. By this I mean they should be mastering the techniques to a high level. There should be all the ingredients coming together, correct delivery, speed, power, timing, focus, balance, accuracy and control.

Like the saying goes “repetition is the mother of all technique” so if we repeat and repeat our basics, we will begin to gain mastery and perfection is our goal.

Do not neglect practice of your basics whether in line drills, shadow boxing, pad bag work. Whatever training your doing, style you practice get your basics down.

Think of it like fine tuning the engine.

Think of it like the roots of a tree, the foundations of a building. If they are weak then everything else is weak.

Make your basics strong, confident in the knowledge that you’ve practiced and practiced and are still honing them, sharpening them.

Chief Instructor & Founder

Keith Gilliland

Listening

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“Listening”

Do people really listen?

Do students really listen in class?

I look at students and think you’re really not listening, are you? Your making out you are but if I ask a related question a few minutes later you look at me as if to say what are you on about?

People in general do not listen properly, they do not concentrate on what’s being said to them. Children in particular seem to find it hard to actually listen and take in what’s being said to them!

Concentration is hard to focus on. We have a saying in our Academy, Look, Listen and Learn. Do not talk when being spoken to by the Instructor. Another way of helping concentration on listening is to make students assume a listening stance. Hands behind the back, feet a shoulder width apart, looking straight at the Instructor.

Try an exercise where you explain something to the students, no listening stance just talk to them about a topic then do something else not related to what you just said i.e.; a technique. After this go back and ask them about what you were explaining before the technique and see what they remember.

Now tell them to assume the listening stance and explain another thing, anything you wish related to your class then again do something else not related to the topic you just did. After this go back again and see what they remember. I’m sure you will see and hear a difference because you’ve made them concentrate more by way of the listening stance.

Attention Stance

Listening Stance

Two tools to help with concentration.

Chief Instructor & Founder

Gilliland Martial Arts & Fitness

Keith Gilliland

You Cant Make Them Do It!

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“You can’t make them do it”

I hear this quite a lot from parents, its not that you want to make them go to class its more about advising them and encouraging them as to why they should go.

If you just accept that they are telling you they don’t want to go then you’re not finding out the reasons and therefore are not finding a solution to the problem.

In stead of just accepting it sit down with them and ask them to explain why they don’t want to go.

Sometimes it might be they are tired, sometimes its because their friends are doing something else (or just nothing). They will find excuses and your job is to be prepared with a solution. A push in the right direction is not a bad thing. Over the years I have taught and coached juniors and seniors to a high level, British, European and World Titles. They had their excuses and reasons not to come training but their parents saw the bigger picture and got behind them and pushed them on. Without their support the students would not have made it!

Its easy to just say “oh well they don’t want to do it anymore” etc, etc. People who get somewhere are the ones who did not quit, they pushed forwards even when they didn’t feel like it. They had their parents, relatives, fellow students, coaches right there with them.

Instil a belief in them. If you doubt them then they will doubt themselves. Be positive and encourage them to reach further. Tell them about people who didn’t give up, who went through hard times, self-doubt and negativity.

You don’t want your child or yourself to give up every time there is a hurdle, a problem. Solve it and move forwards.

Champions are made from within, dig deep and persevere.

Keith Gilliland

Chief Instructor & Founder

Gilliland Martial Arts & Fitness Academy

Jack Of All Trades!

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Jack Of All Trades!

These days lots of parents want their kids to do lots of different activities, sports etc. That’s fine but there should be a time when they start to specialize and focus on one area. This will allow them to progress and get much better and attain a higher level particularly in competition.

Doing lots of different sports all the time does not allow them to be specific so they will not be able to reach the levels of other children who are specific to their chosen sport.

Sport is about being competitive and striving to be the best. Yes, its ok for you to say its taking part that counts but is winning not important? Are we developing a loosing mentality by saying that?

If we want to succeed and be really good at something we must immerse our selves into it, dipping in and out, coming to class once a week or whenever you feel like it is not good enough, not by far!

Why be the jack of all trades when you could be the master of one?

Over the years I’ve seen a lot of kid’s competition and the ones who come out on top are the ones who are consistent at what they do, their training, their approach, their parents understand what’s needed to become a top competitor, to rise above the rest!

If you just say well they do one sport one day, another the next and so on that’s where it will remain. Specialization is the key. I’m not saying give up everything, I’m saying be more specific in your chosen area. Give it a good chance by going more, training and learning more and develop your sport.

Keith Gilliland

Chief Instructor & Founder

Gilliland Martial Arts & Fitness Academy

Which Martial Art is best for me?

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Ok let’s look at a few questions you should ask yourself before going to a class.

What do I want from it?

Do you want fitness, self-defence, sport, competition, to earn a Black Belt???

Some classes focus on just the sport side and competition training whilst others concentrate on self-defence. Some classes have sparring, some have weapons training.

It’s a good idea to take a look at what the school / club teaches in the way of classes and their content. Do not think they are all the same.

Another important factor to consider is who is teaching the classes, what is their background, how long have they been practicing and teaching Martial Arts.

There should be a structured progressive learning program in place with regular gradings so the student can progress through the ranks towards Black Belt and beyond.

Goal achievements are a positive experience and create confidence and a feeling of accomplishment.

A class that is right for you will also be fun, you will enjoy going and meeting new friends is also a bonus.

Martial Arts training and learning can open up a whole new world for you. You can train for the fun of it, maybe to become a competitor, even one day an Instructor and pass on your skills!

Chief Instructor

Keith Gilliland

Martial Arts – Training & Learning

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Martial Arts – Training And Learning.

Regular grading exams for belts is a very important aspect of Martial Arts training and learning.

The key word here is “learning”

Unlike a lot of other sports Martial Arts requires a lot of learning. New techniques should be taught in a progressive structured manner so the student works their way through the various ranks towards Black Belt and beyond!

A lot of people want to begin Martial Arts but not because they are looking to learn but are looking for fitness training, to get fit or keep fit. This is of course fine but they are not looking at the bigger picture.

Proper Martial Arts training requires a good amount of; time, consistency, dedication, a will to succeed, patience among others. It in return gives the student massive returns like; confidence, feeling good, a sense of achievement, new friends, to name a few.

Martial Arts gives you the opportunity to begin a journey (sounds corny but true!).

So, going back to my opening line about belt testing, gradings. When you begin your Martial Arts classes, you should be looking at earning your first belt in around 2 – 3 months. You will be required to demonstrate what you’ve learned in that period.

When you earn your new grade, belt it is a great feeling of achievement and the first of many conquests on your Martial Arts training and learning experience.

Oh, and yes you will be fitter, stronger, more confident and a whole new world will open up for you!

Its up to you to take the first step and get into your first class, or if you used to participate get yourself back in there, the classes are waiting!!

Learn – Practice – Evolve

Keith Gilliland

Chief Instructor & Founder

Gilliland Martial Arts & Fitness Academy

Fit To Join Classes?

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A lot of people are under the impression you need to be fit to take up Martial Arts classes.They think they will not be able to keep up with others or indeed just cope with a new sport or hobby.

You do not need to be fit to start,you will become fit as you start and continue.Being consistent is the key.Make your training a regular thing that you fit into your weekly schedule.Make time and you will see the rewards!

We recommend you take a minimum of 2 classes per week to get maximum benefit from your training.Remember Martial Arts classes in particular require learning,applying your mind as well as your body.

Are you ready for the challenge?