A key element in the Jeet Kune Do arsenal, the straight punch is a deceptively simple technique that Bruce Lee described as the most difficult move in Jeet Kune Do- "Only one in 10,000 can handle it."
The Straight Lead describes the development of the straight punch in Western martial arts and describes Lee's refinement of the technique. It also offers a thorough instruction in the complexity and power of the move-showing martial artists of any discipline how to incorporate this devastating attack into their repertoire.
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Alright study with flawed understanding Comment: It is obvious that Ms. Tom went into "Jeet Kune Do" with little, if any, martial arts background and understanding. She has biases that are common in those students-not just of JKD-that have only studied one art. Her biases shine through, which destroys a lot of the integrity of the book, but that is not to say that this book does not have something to offer. It is refreshing that someone has taken the time to write a complete book on one technique. Ms. Tom does explore the "straight lead" rather deeply and I did come away feeling better off after reading it. If nothing else, she offers quite a few great drills one can incorporate into one's own training. It does make me wonder, though sarcastically, if these drills came directly from Bruce Lee himself, as she does preach throughout the book how important it is to only follow what Bruce wanted...whatever that means. In the end, if one can get through the biased, preachy aspects of the book, I think it would be a good addition to any martial artist's library. Customer Rating: Summary: True to the Form Comment: This book is for true believers of the JKD art. Ignore the bashers and wannabees. These are truly the fine points of technique and style. If you want fanboy stuff or are more about reading than working, yes, just ignore this book.
If you want to move beyond all the fluff and fisticuffs, stop right here and click to order.
Customer Rating: Summary: Oversimplistic Diatribe Comment: This book is a great dissapointment. If this were your only exposure to JKD, you might think the entire fighting sytle consisted of trying to sucker punch your opponent. Tom's opinions on other JKD styles, and Wing Chun is disparaging and at times fraught with a lack of understanding bordering on ignorance. The political motivations behind Tom's work seem to revolve more around mud-slinging and selling her new book/issues of 'Black Belt" magazine than teaching the best that she can. Customer Rating: Summary: Excellent with a noticeable omission Comment: I liked this book and how it traced Lee's research into the straight lead. Yet the crucial mistake Teri Tom makes is not posting a video of her performing the straight lead or including some kind of cd-rom. Pictures of her doing each step of the straight lead is all well and good, but her timing, her speed, and so much more do not show up in static pictures. If she is really interested in preserving Bruce Lee's life work, she should release a seminar video for sale. Not everyone can trek down to CA to see her do a seminar. Customer Rating: Summary: Straight Lead should be required reading Comment: As a lowly TKD student of one year I recently began challenging myself with questions like... what if in a real fight situation I encounter someone with a little knowledge/training in martial arts (not uncommon) or say enter an open tournament in which I would meet well-trained individuals from other disciplines, how would I fare. The answer plain enough to me was --- not well at all! I don't mean to say TKD is an inadequate art but that realistically countering other arts _requires_ some exposure or at least a little training for.
That got me into Straight Lead. It is an excellent read, accessible, good writing, does what it sets out to do very very well. Teaching you how to execute a killer JKD straight punch from every scientific, fistic and strategic point of view. Her discussion of JKD and Bruce Lee politics was also totally warranted. In his own short life BL was very controversial and her book helps understand why it was, why it still is and what politics you may encounter in your own study.
Has this book helped me answer my own questions? Am I really better equipped for a tough customer? Absolutely!!! I recently threw the straight lead at an experienced sparring partner and unfortunately hit his unprotected temple a bit harder than I intended and stung his eye. I regretted and deeply apologized immediately as one should always. My supervisor thought it was a wild punch, my partner thought it a lucky punch. I thought it was so quick neither of them really saw it until it had landed. In other words Straight Lead teachings about non-telegraphic motion, trajectory, speed, body and footwork really do work.
Finally if you are just beginning in martial arts as I am, beware you will learn many potentially deadly skills long before you are able to effectively control them -- as I just did. Do not attempt to study Straight Lead or any other martial art in isolation, enroll in a good school, train very diligently, go for your black belt. You should learn and practice the straight lead in a safe setting so you can unleash it to deadly effect only when needed.
