Fencing Intersects with Jeet Kune Do

Martial artists will not be surprised when I remind them that none other than Bruce Lee attributed similarities between western style fencing and Jeet Kune Do. The straight line attacks and counterattacks common to epee fencing are easily seen in Jeet Kune Do and Wing Chun. Bruce Lee’s book, The Tao of Jeet Kune Do, makes numerous references to old fencing masters and their notions of offense and defense.

Another overlap is the use of dummies in training for proper technique. In Wing Chun this dummy is called “Muk Yan Jong.” Ed Sanow, a member of River City Fencing, calls his fencing dummy Francois. I call mine Fencing Box.

Whatever the name these dummies can be effectively used to practice technique when a master is not available, or when one simply wants to concentrate on technique over and over and over and again.

I am writing this because I recently heard that a River City Fencing dad was building a target dummy for his daughter. I smiled realizing that the young lady will have every good reason to improve her skill and no excuse not to practice for the perfect touché.