Interception

JEET KUNE DO

        (The way of the intercepting fist)

            The Art of Interception       

    The key principle

 Has many of the practitioners of Jeet Kune Do forgotten the meaning of Jeet or the key principle in Jeet Kune Do or have they simply abandoned it for the sake of sport. I have been to several training camps, seminars and classes read articles and watched video’s where interception was not practiced at all .I have seen them start their first move with blocks, parries, traps or simply slapping at the hands. I have seen them try to cover or grapple when an opponent rushes in instead of intercepting. My friends please remember Jeet means to intercept. Interception is a movement that intercepts the telegraphic movement of your opponent.  

#1. Danny and Kody square off

Whether it is a tensing muscle, a shift in weight, the drawing back of a punch, the chambering of a kick, the movement of a finger or toe, or even the expression on ones face (one should always use a so called poker face) it could even be a sudden change in the way your opponent breathes. It is any gesture that stimulates your awareness. At the instance you sense the change your own instincts should take over. Just as your eye blinks when something nears. (Your subconscious) your interself should express itself the true primary freedom it takes over. In jeet kune do we accomplish this level of awareness by multiple repetitions and training drills we use in the three different areas of awareness audio, visual,and tactical.   One of the drills is called the Ooh drill another is the flashlight drill. These drills increase your visual awareness, which in turn decreases your reaction time. Therefore with all this combined along with the principles of jeet kune do there is ample time to steel the attack from the attacker before it is launched with a completed action (The relationship to everything.) 

 If your  action is partial the interception may not be complete. The interception should not be disturbed by thought or restriction, empty your mind. sifu: Jerry Poteet once said to me after a thousand repetitions your movements become devastating. I have been asked several times how do you decide what to do in a split second. Well the answer I give is this if you train all your weapons and practice all the energy drills you do not decide It decides. Just as when you hit the brakes on your vehicle or as you blink your eyes without thinking-always remember Repetition, Repetition, Repetition then you will no longer have to decide what to do in a split second. This is the reason that good martial artists when asked if I do this or that what would you do. He/She respond with I do not know, I do know I will hit you or should I say it will hit you. If we have to think it is to late. So when your opponent stimulates your awareness the first thing that should happen is hit and then blast him with a clear mind and explosive combinations. You must be pro-active not reactive. Remember if you are on the offense he is on defense. So trust your structure and blast.  

By Danny Shirley