Jeet Kune Do in Singapore: Moving Beyond ‘Just Go In’ to Find Your Flow
If you’ve been on the martial arts journey for any length of time?—?especially here in Singapore where the martial arts scene is vibrant and diverse?—?you may have encountered the phrase: “Just go in.” It’s a common piece of advice given when a student is trying to figure out how to close the distance, find openings, or create opportunities during a fight. And yet, for many, myself included, this advice often leaves more questions than answers.
Recently, I had a private student here in Singapore who expressed this very frustration. He had spent years searching for answers, investing in different teachers and systems, all while grappling with the same nagging question: “How do I go in?” Each time, he was met with the familiar instruction: “Just go in.” No breakdown of timing, no explanation of how to control distance, no insights into how to create or exploit openings?—?just this blanket statement that, in practice, never seemed to work.
He told me that when he tried to follow this advice, something felt off. He instinctively knew that rushing in without a clear understanding of timing, distance, or strategy was leading him straight into danger. And truth be told, I could relate. Haven’t we all, at some point, faced that moment of doubt, where the advice we’re given doesn’t seem to click with what we know deep down?
I remember asking myself: Why does this not feel right? Maybe you’ve asked yourself the same thing?—?Am I missing something?
The Turning Point: Seeing Combat Through the Eyes of a Fencer
For my student, the breakthrough didn’t come from more techniques or drills. It came from understanding the principles behind why and how to go in. When he discovered Jeet Kune Do (JKD) and was exposed to the way fencers approach combat, everything changed for him.
Fencers don’t just go in. They operate with a finely-tuned awareness of distance, timing, and rhythm. Their footwork allows them to control the space between them and their opponent, entering and exiting with precision and purpose. My student learned that in fencing?—?and in JKD?—?it’s not about blindly charging in; it’s about knowing when the moment is right and how to take advantage of it.
When he started to apply these principles, the light bulb went off. He saw that combat is about so much more than just techniques or styles. It’s about understanding your body, mastering your movement, and, perhaps most importantly, understanding the physics of space, time, and opportunity. This realization transformed his entire approach to striking. He didn’t need to just go in?—?he needed to learn how to control the space between him and his opponent, how to flow with the fight, and how to seize the right moment.
I couldn’t help but reflect on my own experiences. How many times had I been so focused on learning new techniques that I missed the bigger picture? Have you ever felt that way?—?like you were chasing after the next technique or the next system, hoping it would give you the answers you were looking for?
The Power of Simplicity and Strategy
What struck me most about my student’s transformation wasn’t just the change in his technique; it was the shift in his mindset. He realized that combat isn’t about following a set of rules or rigid instructions. It’s about understanding the principles that govern movement, timing, and opportunity?—?and then applying those principles in a way that feels natural and fluid.
In Jeet Kune Do, there’s a deep respect for simplicity. Bruce Lee often spoke about stripping away the unnecessary, about making things as simple as possible, but no simpler. Simplicity, in this sense, doesn’t mean easy. It means understanding the essence of something so clearly that you can see through the clutter. My student learned that by focusing on the core principles of distance, timing, and rhythm, his striking became more effective, not because he was adding more complexity, but because he was honing in on what truly mattered.
This made me ask myself: Am I focusing on the essentials, or am I getting lost in the details? It’s a humbling question, and one that has guided much of my own journey. I’m curious?—?when was the last time you asked yourself what really matters in your own training, or in life?
领英推荐
Footwork: The Gateway to Freedom
One of the most impactful lessons my student learned was the importance of footwork. In fencing, and by extension in JKD, footwork is the foundation. It’s what allows you to control distance, manage timing, and create opportunities. Without solid footwork, even the most powerful strikes and techniques can fall flat, because you’ll never be in the right place at the right time.
Learning to master footwork allowed my student to move with intention. He no longer felt like he was chasing after his opponent or charging in blindly. Instead, he began to control the fight, moving in and out of range with purpose. It was a revelation for him, and, if I’m being honest, it was a reminder for me too. So often, we focus on the big, flashy moves, but it’s the fundamentals?—?like footwork?—?that can truly set us free.
Have you ever found that mastering the basics brings more freedom than you expected? It’s a lesson I’m constantly learning. Sometimes the answer isn’t in adding more complexity, but in perfecting the fundamentals.
Finding Your Own Path
As much as my student learned from Jeet Kune Do, the real lesson wasn’t in following a system. It was in discovering his own way. Bruce Lee’s philosophy encourages us to learn from everyone, but to ultimately make the art our own. My student didn’t have to abandon everything he had learned previously. Instead, he took what worked, discarded what didn’t, and adapted it all to fit his unique experience.
This process of exploration and self-discovery is what makes martial arts, and life, so rich. We are all on our own journeys, and the path to mastery is not about following one teacher or system blindly. It’s about asking questions, testing your own hypotheses, and being open to learning from every experience. As a teacher, I’m constantly reminded of this. My role isn’t to give my students all the answers, but to guide them toward their own insights.
So, I invite you to ask yourself: Are you on a path of discovery, or are you simply following what you’ve been told? And if you’re not sure, that’s okay. The most important questions often don’t have immediate answers. The key is to stay curious, to keep exploring, and to trust that with time, the answers will reveal themselves.
The Journey Continues
Jeet Kune Do has always been more than just techniques and movements for me?—?it’s a path of self-discovery. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the process of learning never ends. Just like my student, I’ve had my moments of doubt and frustration, and I’m sure there will be many more in the future. But that’s part of the journey. Every challenge, every question, is an opportunity to learn something new about myself and the art.
So, whether you’re practicing Jeet Kune Do in Singapore, fencing, or any other martial art, I encourage you to stay open, to keep asking questions, and to trust in your own journey. You don’t have to have all the answers right now. In fact, it’s often the questions that guide us toward the answers we need. And along the way, remember to honor the teachers, the systems, and the experiences that shape you?—?but never be afraid to discover your own way.
What are the questions you’re asking right now? Keep asking them. They just might be the key to unlocking your next breakthrough.
For those of you in Singapore searching for Jeet Kune Do, remember: this journey isn’t just about mastering techniques. It’s about understanding how to apply principles of timing, rhythm, and distance in your unique way. If you’re looking for a place to train in Singapore, take the time to reflect on what you’re hoping to find. Ask the hard questions?—?both of your teachers and of yourself?—?and trust that the answers will come through experience.
Read to start training Jeet Kune Do in Singapore?