He developed kung fu techniques including punches and kicks and found out how they would work from a bigger distance between opponents. The techniques are taught from fluid movement with the idea that a moving target is much harder to hit.

The JKD practitioner dodges attacks until the opponent is drawn off balance, then a kick or punch is used.

About JKD

Literally translated, Jeet Kune Do means "the way of the intercepting fist."

The discipline

It teaches self-defense tactics and is also good exercise. Elements of sport martial arts, such as sparring, are incorporated into the training, but they have a practical application to self-defense. For example, when sparring, a JKD student learns to move out of his or her opponent's range to lure them off balance. Once an opponent is off balance, that's when the JKD student strikes.

Tourneys

There are no official JKD tournaments.

Rankings

Unlike many martial arts, adult JKD students don't wear a full uniform with a belt signifying their rank. Instead, students wear T-shirts that correspond to their progress.

Stages

"Accumulation" is the early stage where students learn the basics of the techniques - these students start with a green shirt and progress through light blue, maroon and royal blue shirts.

Once they show proficiency at the techniques, they move into the "application" phase, where the student learns to apply the basic techniques in a combat situation. These students wear purple and navy shirts.

The third phase, "integration" is for advanced students and teaches them to use their techniques and applications without thought. Their rank is signified by gray shirts.

Children

"The needs of adults and the needs of children are much different," Sifu Korol says. Children are taught self-discipline, values, honor and focus through martial arts training.

And unlike adult students, children wear full uniforms. Once they get to a certain age, they will begin formal JKD training.

Weapons

There is some training with knives and short sticks, but mostly the training is hand-to-hand fighting, seen here at the Downtown Martial Arts center in Greenville.