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The 2006 seminar took place at the Coast Guard Air Station’s indoor gym
located in Punta Borinquen. Punta Borinquen is a beautiful corner of the old
Ramey Air Force Base in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. After greeting the
participants and taking some time to chat with old and new friends alike, Sifu
Albert Grajales kicked off the seminar. Sigung Ted Wong began the seminar
by going over the fundamentals of the proper JKD stance, the stance’s
scientific premise and its application.
Ted then Wong spoke intensely of the importance of footwork, and began to
explain and demonstrate how JKD footwork is a key that opens many doors.
The proper stance and footwork, varied speeds, the half-beat and quick step
equate to changing and breaking rhythm, the possibilities are abounding. Next
Ted Wong went over the fundamentals of the JKD straight lead.
Throughout his introduction, as well as during the day long seminar Ted Wong
explained different aspects that Bruce Lee looked into as he evolved his art of
Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do, and how he referenced boxing, fencing, or the
orientation of the topic as he illustrated his point. Ted Wong also referenced
Terri Tom’s book the Straight Lead quite a bit, and reiterated her eloquent
ability to explain in detail JKD’s scientific application.
As the seminar continued Ted Wong brought it all together with a series of drills
incorporating the basic aspects of the proper stance, footwork, along with the
straight lead and other punches coupled with lead kicks. Drills included
attacking on the half-beat, forward, backward and angled. Mr. Wong made his
rounds during drills and worked particulars with many of the participants. It was
my honor to work one-on-one with Ted Wong, as well as a privilege to help
others throughout the day.
As in prior seminars and training sessions I jotted down notes, and for
reference, compiled a not all encompassing list of bullets, most of which appear
below. The below bullets consist of some of the points that Ted Wong made
and things that he said and explained during the seminar. Of course, as in past
years, I very much enjoyed being back in Puerto Rico and training with my JKD
brothers and sisters. It was great to meet the latest generation of students and
share with my old friends, prior training companions, and fellow instructors.
The time spent with Albert and Ted during, as well as that evening after the
seminar with our JKD family was a blessing, topped only by our private
breakfast the next day were we discussed many topics.
It was great to recharge my soul with my Sifu, Ted Wong and fellow martial
artists in Puerto Rico. As I have said in the past, I feel as if I have a duty to
share my knowledge with a chosen few, and I that is part of the motivation
behind this web site. This I owe to my JKD Brotherhood, my Sifu Albert
Grajales, Ted Wong, Bruce Lee, and the art of Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do.
Ted Wong Bullets from the 2006 Puerto Rico Seminar appear below, the
reference to “I” refers to Ted Wong:
- The essence of footwork, is the art of moving
- Footwork gives you lots of options
- Footwork can be compared to the alphabet for example, with a few letters
you can make many words
- Stance, toe to arch, remember your line of focus
- The stance forms a triangle, the triangle is the strongest structure, once
you alter it you weaken the structure, it is simple physics
- Bruce found something in boxing and fencing that he could not find in
traditional martial arts. His books were not for decoration
- Bruce saw that the boxing rear cross hit harder than a traditional martial
arts punch
- He studied weight transfer and the affect that gravity had on the punch
- What I teach is what I learned from Bruce Lee
- Force comes from the ground, that is one of the reasons why footwork is
so important
- Bruce looked into how to produce force
- As in fencing the way to lunge is to maintain perfect balance, that is one
of the reasons that JKD is so difficult to learn
- JKD fights at all ranges
- Bruce Lee dropped trapping in 1969, I teach trapping only for historical
reasons, trapping is good to understand, to understand what Bruce was
thinking
- The half beat can be used in any direction, and can be used to reverse
direction
- Short footwork quickens the step, and mix in the half beat to break rhythm
- Occasionally use the full beat, the half beat is much quicker and affective,
mix them in both offense and defensive movements
- Your footwork should always be short, never long, the faster you have to
move the smaller the steps
- Do not think about hitting hard, when you start to try to hit hard, you
become telegraphic - relax and focus
- Execution and relaxation, the foundation is the stance
- Moving your feet is very important, force + power, put those factors
together
- Distance is controlled with footwork, take control of the distance
- Both timing and speed is important, you need both
- With good footwork you can change speed on the half beat, you have
more options to hit, and you can hit on any movement at any time, from
any angle
- Regulate the range, bridge the gap, stop hit, half beat, quick step to
change the rhythm
- Body force is important, (1) up, (2) linear (3) rotational
- Direct is the shortest distance, direct line is the fastest, depth, range and
power
- When the punch arrives, the line has to be there, the hip to the target
- Hand first, push off to pivot step, pivot before you arrive, one motion
- Two ways to attack, he comes to me, or I go to him, but either way,
maintain the distance, maintain the on guard and good balance
- Use the best weapon available, the lead hook kick is not the most
powerful, but you can turn it, change it, and attack off of itStay with the on
guard, when you open up you can get countered, the lead leg changes the
stance very little, return to the on guard as soon as possible
- Good footwork is the most difficult to master, to learn how to apply it takes
skill and experience
- Footwork by itself is easy, to apply takes skill and timing. Simple
techniques, simple movement, but don’t believe that it is simple or easy
Thank you once again for taking the time to read this seminar document. I
hope that everyone that reads it is able to take something positive away, as
all of us fortunate enough to attend the seminar surely did. Free your mind -
your body will follow.
Walk on!
Victor C. Colón
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