What is Jeet Kune Do?

In the 1960's Bruce Lee developed a hybrid style of Kung Fu and Western martial arts to create what many people have called "The original Mixed Martial Art". We are proud to offer his art of Jeet Kune Do in Noblesville.

Many martial arts historians cite Bruce Lee and his student Joe Lewis for kick starting the American Kickboxing movement. Prior to their involvement in American martial arts, most competitions were light to no contact and were usually no more than glorified games of tag.   

However, Bruce Lee believed in training more realistically in the same way boxers did. So they put on boxing gloves and basic head protection so they could spar full contact. They also incorporated training equipment from boxing and American football to develop knockout power in their punches and kicks.

At the same time, Bruce Lee and his students Dan Inosanto and Larry Hartsell were also incorporating grappling arts into their striking game. It is for this reason that Bruce Lee is often referred to as “The Father of Mixed Martial Arts.”  Lee was incorporating elements of Judo, Catch Wrestling, and Silat into his arsenal. With the aid of grappling experts such as the Judo master Gene Lebell and Small Circle Jiu Jitsu founder Wally Jay, Bruce Lee had developed a very robust and comprehensive study of grappling.

Bruce Lee had named this training method “Jeet Kune Do.” Amongst the chief principles of this method was to be a well rounded fighter who is prepared for any situation, while also keeping your arsenal simple and direct.

Many people think Mixed Martial Arts started in the United States in 1993 with the 1st UFC. However, Jeet Kune Do practitioners have maintained a dedicated and focused study into MMA since the 1960s.  Because the modern take on Jeet Kune Do utilizes the knowledge of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Catch Wrestling, Boxing, and Wing Chun, many consider it to be the most comprehensive and versatile fighting system one could find.