After training for several months with Sifu Jerry Poteet in Jeet Kune Do, I felt I had reached a plateau and that I was stuck at my skill level. The harder I tried to improve my kicks, strikes and traps, the more “stuck” I became. Sensing my frustration, Sifu smiled and asked if I wanted to “accelerate my progress”, I eagerly said ”yes”! He told me he would share the secret to Higher Level training in Jeet Kune Do. Thrilled, I eagerly anticipated Jerry sharing a special technique, training tip or Imparting the “key to the JKD kingdom.” Instead, he left the room, and handed me a sheet of paper.
Peering down, I saw that he had handwritten a list of books for me to read. “Books?” I asked. Yes, he replied. Then he told me that his teacher, Sijo Bruce Lee, had done the same for him in his early stages of training. At the time, Jerry was incredibly fit and physically in his prime. Yet, like me, he hit a wall in his training. And that was when the Young Master offered Jerry a road to enlightenment in the art of Jeet Kune Do, and, as it turned out, in life. Sifu Jerry assured me that the material in those books were the key to Higher Level martial arts. And when I dove into those books, I realized he was right. Not only did my JKD skills blast beyond what I dreamed possible, my mind stopped “trying” when I trained. I was joyfully cavorting in my own martial arts playground!
Now, like Sifu Jerry, I wish to share the gift of knowledge. I will be recounting his discussions of the books, and which material he, (and I) found most useful in martial arts.
Jack Dempsey Championship Fighting
Much more than mere brawn, Jack Dempsey’s boxing is an art form. His boxing demands that every movement has a purpose. Dempsey developed the shovel hook, , and the “falling step” punch. (One inch punch, perhaps?) There is much debate about Dempsey’s possible exposure to Wing Chun. Regardless, this book is a masterpiece on the sweet science of boxing. And a how to on achieving powerful punching.
The Living Sword by Aldo Naldi
The Bruce Lee of fencing; a rebel, a fierce fencer who made his own rules and overturned the world of fencing. In other words, a genius. An incredible life in the 1920s movies, in the fencing salon, and an innovative teacher. He once successfully defended himself in a challenge that occurred in his driveway! (I am reminded of a story about Bruce Lee Oakland student James Lee doing the same!)
Martini A to Z of fencing by E.D. Morton
A great reference source for many of the fundamental attacks in JKD. Learn about the “stop hit”, indirect attack, counter-time, etc. You will see why we say Jeet Kune Do is “ fencing with the arms and legs”. You can also see from the images in the book how heavily influenced FMA is by European, especially Spanish, fencing.
The Unfettered Mind Writings From A Zen Master To A Master Swordsman The Unfettered Mind
This book on applying Zen philosophy to swordsmanship is critical to understanding the combat philosophy of Jeet Kune Do. In fact, Sifu Jerry Poteet told me that his teacher, Bruce Lee, frequently had a copy in his possession. If you read my blog, “Catching Beats of Time”, you may recall that catching moments is our goal in JKD, as well as life. Let’s give an example. (Why vertical fist? In addition to gaining power from the short arc, the vertical fist allows us to trap without having to turn our hand over from a western boxing punch. With a seamless structure, we capture A BEAT OF Time!) Takuan urges the swordsman to not let “a hairs breath” occur between seeing the target and attacking. Sijo Bruce Lee takes this one step further. He admonished Jerry and others to “Hit with the mind”! Enjoy reading Takuan’s The Unfettered Mind. Perhaps you will learn to Catch Beats of Time. Regardless, the beat goes on..,