The dictionary defines technique as: “Any method or manner of accomplishing something… the method or procedure (with reference to practical or formal details) or way of using basic skills in rendering an artistic work or carrying out a mechanical operation.” Techniques are the “what” and “how to do’s”. They are specific applications that fit specific circumstances. In Jeet Kune Do, techniques include such things as the proper fighting stance or ready position, the mechanics of a particular punch or kick, the various types of footwork used, etc.

In order to get the most out of JKD it is essential to know how to make Bruce Lee’s notes work for you—how to bring them to life and use them to help you achieve your fullest potential as a martial artist. Lee’s notes have been likened to guideposts, or clues, that can lead an individual to their own self-expression in the martial arts. But guideposts do a person little or no good if they don’t know how to read or interpret them correctly. So the first thing that needs to be understood is how to study Lee’s notes. This is not as easy as it sounds. When reading Bruce Lee’s notes, three intrinsic principles should guide your study. These principles may, in the beginning, require several separate readings but in time can be done concurrently. The three principles are as follows: