The word core is used to describe basic elements. Learning to count from 1 to 10 is basic to learn higher mathematics. A motor, frame, wheels, brakes, seat and gas are basic for a car. Bruce felt that any art was developed around specific concepts and principles and that these concepts remained constant. It also helps the teacher build a solid program in his classes, since the core techniques are the foundation from which he will build the students skills. Core concepts should cover the broad range of potential conflicts and as much as possible follow the rules simplicity, efficiency, and practicality. Simple, meant the student could do it without warm-up or preparation. Efficient, meant that there were no excess or filler moves and practical, meant that it must work. If it did not work, it’s only value was entertainment. These rules helped Bruce filter out impractical and useless training. He broke the core into three arts. Speed, power and technique. His rational was that if you developed natural speed and power you did not have to practice technique for speed or power, you just added them to technique and you automatically had fast and powerful technique. He broke speed down into martial arts and general speed. Martial arts speed was startle or twitch speed for closing, engagement and explosive strikes. General speed was trapping and general technique application. Power was simple since it dealt with natural power and was refined for both hard and soft flowing applications. The techniques were:
Stance - open (launching or absorbing an attack), closed Bi Jong (fighting),
centerline control for maximum trapping, converging and striking energy,
perimeter control – efficient and refined upper/outer torso domination,
Closing of the gap – Lunge or steal-a-step
Powerlines for offensive/defensive applications (strikes, bridge, stance.
The broad range of techniques practiced from these core concepts were designed or adapted to each student. These included blocks, strikes and trapping.
