Why Dan Inosanto is Right

A few years ago we did a video that angered a good many people. Well, we're back at it except this time we're probably going to irritate the opposite side as we detail an area in which Dan Inosanto has been spot-on: weapons. You see, most Original JKD folks out there, us included, consider ourselves self-defenders...not sport fighters and all that. But a self-defender who doesn't train with and know how to use weapons, especially blades, isn't hitting on all cylinders. In fact, in some ways he hasn't even gotten the proverbial car out of the driveway.

Well, in this video we detail all that and more. We give credit where it's undeniably due. Sifu Dan Inosanto has always been at the forefront of weapons' training and for that, despite our other disagreements with him and the JKD Concepts approach overall, he deserves considerable credit. This is especially true since many Original JKD schools literally never touch a weapon. Oh, and just in case you think we've lost our minds over here, the second half of the video details how the Concepts movement, rooted in the philosophy of relativism, is yet wrong in theory but - as in this case - often right in practice. All of us have much to learn. Maybe even me.

But seriously, in summary, we're all in this together - training and trying to get better. A robust debate on the ideas should be had...and certainly should be respectful and logical. Hopefully this video achieves that. Thanks for watching.

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[handsforwarrodneymorgan]

Great video.
One thing I have learned, in my being involved with the Vunak PFS, training with weapons builds quicker reflexes. No doubt about it. I personally believe there are many pieces to the modern JKD puzzle. Without the founder here with us to speak on JKD in this time, in fact, we are all guessing. This being said, we know for a fact there are "core" elements to JKD ie, intercepting, straight lead, trapping, boxing . Without those, it's not JKD.

[robertvondarth]

Late stage JKD is based on western fencing.
So the weapons system I practice is the sword.
I study HEMA to improve my JKD.
And, as you say - there’s no JKD without the Jeet.
The Jeet is the stop thrust in western fencing

[HatianHurricane]

When I first started training in JKD Concepts back in '92 in Brooklyn at Universal Defense Systems, we trained with the knife and doce pares or the two sticks.

[warriorstkdify]

Thank you for giving a balanced assessment, you content has improved my WC & JKD

[DarinWaughx]

Great video Jason, many points to ponder and study! Thanks!

[axelstone]

From what I underhand, when Bruce was given a kali stick, bo staff or a bladed weapon, he just applied JKD principles and could effectively use a weapon better than even Inosanto at that point. That’s what Dan said about when he showed Bruce the nunchucks I think. It was one of the weapons anyway.

[blockmasterscott]

"ok my mother in law". Ok, that made me laugh out loud! 🤣🤣🤣

[ramondiaz]

Like the blade with the finger ring, keeps it from slipping your hand!!

[jeffwelsh]

Sifu Jason, enjoyed the video and the information / insights that you provided. Just had a question regarding the idea of researching into multiple arts to then refine and reduce. Other than wing Chun, do you know if the late Sifu Ted Wong studied additionally throughout his life after learning JKD from Sigung Bruce or did he continue to refine what he had learned ?

[zaneivy]

...some countries make it very difficult to train with weapons (and definately difficult to carry any around). Guess Americans should be thankful they still have as much wiggle room as they still, in the main, have.

[cesarjkd]

Well Sifu Jason, this can only be settled !!THE ANCIENT WAY!!!!😂😂😂

[Justahuman]

Can you make a video on takedown/ throws

[irkenempire]

Identity politics in martial arts has always haunted me. Karate in the early 90s had a bunch of flag waving...who had legit lineage, who was doing "real karate" and other were doing it for sport. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on these matters. Maybe one day, I get the stones to start a channel of my own?

[hipotonomous]

Well this turned out more philosophical than expected. Love it!

"Concepts" or "Originals" doesn't matter. Honestly, I don't get the whole feud. Because in the end, what Bruce talked about was nothing unique, he was just really good at it. It's what I call, "being a martial artist".

A fighter will learn a style, apply it and win. A martial artist will learn from multiple sources, and develop a style of their own. A great martial artist will do that, and use their style as a way of training the next generation.

That's it. If you're learning, you're good.

[G-Fu]

Guro Dan Inosanto is absolutely amazing.

[Therecov]

Is Filipino martial arts simple direct effective? Also if you cant obtain a gun legally pepper spray and bear spray is legal and has gotten much cheaper. BTW I think I remember you had video about you asking Ted Wong about knives and he said something about using the JKD footwork with the knife since its fencing footwork.

[imeaniguess.]

This guy looks like the Gordon Ramsey of the fight game.

[stevep]

Bruce Lee practiced and absorbed western fencing into JKD Im sure he used it in his mind with or without a weapon in his hand.

[gregorylatta]

Empty hands and weapons should all be trained.

[Re-Destro]

Why not just still move like a fencer, like Ted Wong would but instead with a stick in your hand, and going straight instead of all those kali patterns that come from the concept guys? You can still use a stick but keep it simple and direct.