Nice post - I agree with most of the things you have said in your post.
The only thing that I would correct is the statement that Bruce felt that WC was too classical and structured. The reason he started modifying his WC was because it was not working as effectively on the larger framed Americans as it was the Chinese.
WC is a very customizable system. You make it your own. All of the principles of simplicity, efficiency and practicality stem from WC.
This is just a minor detail though. The rest of your post is right on!
Continued blessings in your life and your training.
The key to understanding is to open your mind and your heart and then the eyes will follow.
I’m not sure that’s right. If the mythology is correct, he started second guessing wing chun after his bout with Wong Jak Man, yeah? Who’s Chinese. And I thought Bruce was disenchanted with the lack of longer range techniques at his disposal because he ended up chasing Wong around the room.
(That’s the story I read. From Linda Lee’s memoirs. Whether that’s the truth or not, I leave to smarter men than myself.)
I was gooing to let this thread die,but I just had to put in one more insight,about lindas book,it isnt the best source of info. I would suggest trying Bruce Lee antholgy by paul crompton, or Bruce Lee by robbert clouse. of course jessie glovers book is at this time my favorit,(aand I belive the most acurate)
its late for me,I realy must fo to sleep.I am sorry about the mastakes. Im hust to tired to corect them. C.A..G.
That’s a good point. Like I said, I thought the previous post might be inaccurate. But it might be dead on, I suppose. Smarter men than I will have to sort that one out.
Bruce Lee took WC, and then added techniques from other styles and threw it all in the blender?
I really don’t think that is the case. I’ve gone to a couple of seminars that Ted Wong taught and he said, I paraphrase, “yeah Bruce did a lot of stuff. But that doesn’t mean that he added a savate kick to a WC stance etc., he studied them to learn the principles behind them. Only a fool doesn’t study somebody elses style.”
Ted teaches the most scientific way to kick and punch. No wasted motion in that man. He’s 64 and punches as hard as I do! (I’m 45 lbs. heavier). I agree that the base of your style is extremely important. You just can’t mix some movements efficiently.
One last quote before you tear into me, Bruce said “until you grow a 3rd arm or 2nd head you’re gonna move the same as everybody else.”
What Bruce did do was to, put all technique to the test no matter whos information it was ,it must fit these three rules.
Simplicity-must be easy to do. (Natural movement)
efficiency-as few moves as possible. (From A to B as quickly as possible)
practicality-it must work. (For Street fighting/real life fighting)
if any new technique did not fit all three criteria, the technique was not used for fighting. Although he many still use it for showmanship and or demonstrations.
Bruce could show techniques that were not, simple or practical,and make them look great. To show off his showmanship , or to teach an attribute.
Bruce was a showmen, (as well as many other things.) Problem was, is it real (for fighting,) or is it for show ( the art.)
but at no time to Bruce just use any techniques that he saw in other arts, and blend them into one art (his). I believe by using the three rules Bruce Lee did things very scientifically.
