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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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