Sage Arts Studio - Student Section - Articles, Essays & Interviews - The Application of Daily Decrease and Refinement

For more information on W.A.R.
Contact Cliff Stewart
6033 Century Blvd. #400
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 412-8411

Archives

Martial Arts Related Articles

The Application of Daily Decrease and Refinement, By Louis Berard and Tim Tackett

Originally Printed in the October 1996 issue of Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Magazine

Sometimes you can hear good advice over and over, and yet not completely heed the advice until something forces you to really examine it. This is certainly the case for me concerning Bob Bremer's oft repeated admonition that, "You only need a handful of things you can do really well." This was something told to Bob by Bruce Lee. Bob and Tim Tackett's emphasis on "daily decrease" and constant refinement of only a few tools is also some advice that I could have heeded better.

For the last four years I haven't been able to train much because of chronic sports injuries. I've been able to start some training recently although I am limited in what I can do. The silver lining in my situation is that because of my current physical limitations, I can only work on a few tools! Ironically, I am glad because being limited in the skills I can work on is going to pay great dividends in my physical expression of JFJKD.

Let's talk a bit about this idea of limiting yourself to only a few tools. Most of us have probably heard Bruce's thoughts on this. The basic idea is that in order to become highly skilled in anything, you can't try to learn too many things. We all know that doctors, lawyers, chefs, professional athletes and any other highly skilled person usually specializes in one area to attain a high degree of proficiency. I've heard from Bob Bremer that Bruce would take one thing and practice it constantly for months until as Bob says, "he owned it." Why don't most of us also do this? Well, in my case I think I became distracted by all the different things to learn. In other words I became focused on the means to the end, rather than the end. The end being a highly efficient and effective fighter.

It also takes an incredible amount of perseverance and patience to train in such a manner. However, what is the result that this type of training can bring to fruition? Of course there is Bruce Lee's legendary abilities, but who else is applying this formula to produce successful fighters? How about Thai Boxers? They are commonly called the "Kings of the Ring." Why? Even though from a JFJKD point of view they do some inefficient things, they are JFJKD-like in that they've taken only a few things and honed them through repetition! How about the Dog Brothers? Unchallenged as the top full contact stick fighters, they have achieved their status by boiling down their tools to a bare minimum. Their emphasis is on hitting hard - and hitting harder! They then achieve excellence by constant practice, realistic drilling, and all out combat! Then of course, there is Gracie Jujitsu. My understanding of their system is that it is not full of superfluous techniques. They have a bare minimum of moves and are world renowned fighters because they are efficient and (as far as grappling is concerned) straight to the point! Don't forget the hardest punchers in the world, western boxers. They have an arsenal of only four or five punches, yet they bet better by repetitiously honing these few tools along with simple footwork.

Finally, I'd like to mention Vitor Belfort. He is the young Brazilian fighter who, until a recent defeat, has demolished many of the current crop of UFC fighters. He has triumphed over his opponents, including 290-pound Tank Abbot, by punching them into the ground! I think this is an excellent expression of the idea that "more is less!" It's interesting that he also exhibits the forward energy, aggressiveness and emotional content (DESTROY!) that JFJKD fighters are supposed to exhibit. To quote Bob Bremer, "You've got to be able to hit him like a freight train!" And, Burt Poe said, "Only touch ‘em if you can hurt them."

To summarize the above, a JFJKD practitioner is one that takes a handful of efficient tools (I haven't seen anything more efficient than the tools that Bruce was honing in the last few years of his life) and refines them so well that they are fearsome weapons. In addition, he/she should have the ability to fit in with different opponents while using these few but efficient tools. Just for the record, I am not saying Thai Boxing or some other arts are "JFJKD." I am only saying that these arts have at least the one JFJKD attribute of simplification!

Let's look at two tools that I think are possibly at the heart of JFJKD and, if honed with commitment, will make anyone a formidable opponent. These tools are the "lead hand interception" (either the finger jab or punch) and the "Jik Chung" or "Straight Blast."

The mechanics of the lead punch have already been explained in a former issue, so I am going to focus on the drills that will help a practitioner hone this weapon.; I will, however, list the attributes of the lead punch.

Lead Hand Attributes:

Strong side forward
Hand proceeds the foot
Hammer principle; the front part of the arm drops in a hammer motion before the upper arm moves
Explosive burst off the rear leg (this must be cultivated too!)
In the case of the jab, the fist hits the target just before the front foot
Drive from the hip and upper body up from the legs for maximum torque
The punch should have snappiness
Keep the elbow down; the fist is ideally halfway between the vertical and horizontal for the greatest structural integrity
Your fist should be somewhat loose and then tighten it on contact. This keeps you relaxed and allows you to respond and punch faster.

The basic drill and the "bread and butter" of intercepting is "Four Corners." Assuming you and your partner are both in a right lead, face each other. To start, your partner will give you two attacks to respond to. Working in a stationary position at first, he will attempt to tap the right side of your forehead with his fingers. To intercept him using the finger jab, proceed as follows:

Your hand shoots forward (remember the attributes previously listed above)
Your head simultaneously slips to the left as you "burst" off your rear leg, your fingers or palm taps his forhead
Make sure you slip your head left and in towards your partner's elbow while the left hand checks his arm for safety. (Remember you should be hitting and slipping first, checking second! We don't block!)
After "bursting" forward remember to recover your rear foot forward and end up in your original stance
For the jab you're partner will hold a focus mitt in his left hand at your face height. The drill is the same except your punch lands before your foot, and snap the punch!
Keep your groin covered with a proper stance.

When his attack comes to the left side of your face (jab or hook) proceed as follows:

Your hand shoots forward
As you "burst" forward simultaneously, turn your right shoulder to the left (which should straighten your torso) and keep your left hand by your chin for safety
Tap your partner's forehead with your fingers or palm
Don't move towards the right when intercepting, it is a little scarier going straight forward, but it is much more effective and efficient
For the jab, your partner uses the focus mitt. You utilize the same mechanics. Remember your foot placement and to snap the punch
Of course you may use the focus mitt for the finger jab to toughen your finger tips

When a punch comes on either side of the lower line, the mechanics are exactly the same except you should actually physically check the punch with your left hand. Remember the punch precedes the check!

When your partner has a left lead [and you have a right lead], your job is actually simplified. Proceed as follows:

(Assuming a partner your height or shorter) When the straight left comes to the middle or left side of your face, you counter straight over his punch to his forehead (finger jab). When drilling the jab, your partner holds a focus glove in his right hand.
Keep your elbows down
Make contact with the attacker's arm. You must do this to move his arm off the line. This is called "cutting" into the tool or a "sliding leverage."
If he is really strong or is low with his head protected like a boxer, you must use greater force by "chopping" into his arm with your punch in order to open up the line.
When the straight left comes to the right side or a hook comes, simply punch straight (basically do the same thing!).
Keep your chin behind your right shoulder and cover the right side of your face with your left hand.
If your attacker is taller: on a straight left attack, "cut" into his arm from underneath. Check his arm with your left hand.

That is "Four Corners." Gradually progress from stationary and drilling one reaction, to full movement countering all four attacks, and then using this drill in all out sparring against both punches and kicks. If your partner puts a Thai kicking pad on his chest you can then drill intercepting kicks and punches by punching the pad. I've found this drill to be great at developing forward energy. Again, drill the lead hand against a grappler trying to take you down. Be creative! The best drills are often the ones you create yourself. It is this method of training that eventually allows you to "own" a particular tool. You could spend your time learning 20 different things, but you will most likely be easy prey for someone who is practicing "daily decrease" by refining and honing his/her tools.

Let's look at the Jik Chung or "Straight Blast." This is a personal favorite of mine, probably because it's so simple, and it's extremely effective! The basic idea is to throw the snappy straight punches up the middle either to disrupt your opponent, or to pummel him. This should not be confused with "Jik Chung Choy" which is when you already have your opponent stunned. You then throw caution to the wind and start winding up and unloading haymakers in an all-out assault! In order to cultivate the "straight blast" here are a sequence of steps that follow:

Standing in a neutral position (neither leg forward) with elbows in, put your hands "up" in a relaxed position.
Start punching slowly, alternating each hand. The Key attributes at this stage are: a. keep elbows in, b. Hammer principle, c. Keep hands somewhat loose, tighten on extension.
Fully extend your arms
Do not move your shoulders! In order to develop the necessary snappiness just use your arms to punch.
Lying on the ground on your back and pinching in the air will help keep your shoulders stationary.
Keep the punches crisp and snappy, gradually increase speed.

Next have someone hold a focus mitt extended out in front of them at your face height. They will reinforce the back of the mitt with their free hand. When punching the mitt do as follows:

Only penetrate one or two inches. Don't move the shoulders yet, let's get the snappiness down first.
Extend your arms fully. It is the snappy fully extended punch that generally does the most damage.

Once you have become fairly snappy and are extending your punches with proper penetration it's time to move on. Now set up in a fighting stance.

Your partner will hold out the focus mitt, and slowly step slide backwards
As you follow with your forward step slide you will simultaneously "Straight Blast."
For every step you take deliver three punches.
Gradually, as you are able to synchronize your footwork and punching, speed up. Eventually you should be punching in a seamless non-stop fury.
This is very physically demanding, start out slowly and progressively go longer and harder.
Once you have developed your coordination and are snapping your punches, add your shoulder and hip torque for heavier punches.
Your partner should eventually move in all directions, your challenge is to stay at the end of your punches while moving in concert with your partner.

This of course fits in well with the intercepting lead. They can and should be drilled together. Use the straight blast as a follow up to any intercepting drill. Try this: Work your Straight Blast on a heavy bag. Keep the bag elevated with non-stop punches. This really develops the heavy Straight Blast. See if you can eventually go a full round of doing this. Of course hone this tool by drilling combatively. Drill using the Straight Blast against the jab, crosses and hooks, kicking, kicking and punching, grappling, etc. For a grappler diving low, it is probably better to use your palms on the top of their head, they can use head gear to protect their skull.

I have found that when I am sparring or, more importantly, fighting, I always revert to the few things that I have practiced the most. Dennis Blue was certainly right the many times he told me "We fight like we train." That is why I believe simplification and daily decrease through refinement of a few tools is so important. Let's not be blinded by all the flashy and numerous techniques that are available to learn. We never know when we will be called upon to defend our life or the lives of loved ones. Bruce realized that the reality of combat demanded proficiency with a handful of streamlined, efficient tools.

It is the shedding of the unessential that makes someone a better fighter, not the accumulation of techniques. So I would suggest that you seek out and learn a hand ful of efficient JFJKD tools that fit you. Hone and practice them until you "own" them. Then you will truly reach the end, and not just be dabbling ineffectively in the means to the end.