Bruce Lee's Fighting Method
BASIC TRAINING
CHAPTER 3 : Footwork
Footwork
The art of mobility
is the essence of fighting.
If you're slow on your feet,
you'll be late in hitting.
A skilled fighter can shift
to evade most blows.
His body is "light as a feather,"
when he fights all foes.
He moves like a stallion
galloping with grace
Instead of a kangaroo
leaping high in space.
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FOOTWORK
In jeet kune do mobility is heavily emphasized because hand-to-hand combat is a matter of movements. Your application of an effective technique depends on your footwork. Speed of your footwork leads the way for fast kicks and punches. If you are slow on your feet, you will be slow with your hands and feet, too.
The principle of fighting is the art of mobility: to seek your target or to avoid being a target. Footwork in jeet kune do should be easy, relaxed and alive but firm in movement, while the traditional, classical horse stance is not functional because it is slow and awkward. In fighting you are required to move in any direction instantly.
Proper footwork is good balance in action, which contributes to hitting power and avoidance of punishment. Good footwork will beat any kick or punch. A moving target is definitely more difficult to hit than a stationary one. The more skillful you are with your footwork, the less you have to use your arms to block or parry kicks and punches. By moving deftly you can elude almost any blow and at the same time prepare your fists and feet to attack.
Besides evading blows, footwork allows you to cover distance rapidly, escape out of a tight corner and conserve your energy to counter with more sting in your punch or kick. A heavy slugger with poor footwork will exhaust himself as he futilely attempts to hit his opponent.
The best position for your feet is where you can move rapidly in any direction and so you are well balanced to withstand blows from any angle. The feet must always be directly under your body. The on-guard stance present proper body balance and a natural alignment of your feet.
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