Jeet Kune Do

Jeet Kune Do
截拳道
The Jeet Kune Do Emblem
The taijitu represents the concepts of yin and yang. The Chinese characters mean: "Using no way as way" and "Having no limitation as limitation". The arrows represent the endless interaction between yin and yang.
Also known asJKD, Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do
FocusHybrid (mixed martial arts kung fu philosophy)
Country of originSeattle, Washington, U.S.
CreatorBruce Lee
Famous practitioners(see notable practitioners)
ParenthoodJun Fan Gung Fu: Wing Chun, boxing, fencing, arnis, judo, jujutsu, savate, traditional taekwondo, tai chi, catch wrestling
Descendant artsNon-Classical Gung Fu, Wing Chun Do, Emerson Combat Systems, Wei Kuen Do, Mixed Martial Arts (modern)
Jeet Kune Do
Chinese截拳道
Literal meaning"Way of the Intercepting Fist"
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinJiéquándào
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationJiht-kyùhn-douh
JyutpingZit6 Kyun4 Dou6
IPA[tsit̚˨ kʰyn˩ tɔw˨]

Jeet Kune Do (/ˌt kn ˈd/; Chinese: 截拳道; Jyutping: zit6 kyun4 dou6; lit. 'stop fist way' or 'way of the intercepting fist'; abbreviated JKD) is a hybrid martial art conceived and practiced by martial artist Bruce Lee that centers the principle of counterattacking an opponent in order to impede their offense. As an eclectic martial art, it relies on a fighting style heavily influenced by Wing Chun, Tai Chi, taekwondo, boxing, fencing and jujutsu. Jeet Kune Do, which Lee intended to have practical applications in life without the traditional routines and metaphysics of conventional martial arts, also incorporates a set of principles to help practitioners make quick decisions and improve their mental and physical health.

Lee, who based Jeet Kune Do upon his experiences in unarmed fighting and self defense, as well as upon his eclectic, Zen Buddhist, Confucianist and Taoist philosophies, did not formally codify JKD before his death. As a result, later JKD practitioners had to rely on their own interpretations of Lee's philosophy.

As a hybrid martial arts philosophy drawing from different combat disciplines, Jeet Kune Do is often deemed a predecessor of mixed martial arts (MMA).