Distance & Range

I. Core

Distance - refers to the space between you and your opponent. In terms of self defense, greater distance gives you more time to react. More distance equals more time. Less distance equals less time. 

Range - The artificial categorization of the varying possible distances between you and your opponent(s). 

Ranges of Unarmed Fighting

1. Standup Striking Range

a. Long Range - the distance which puts a fighter just out of range of his opponents attack. See fighting measure.

b. Medium Range - the distance at which your opponent can strike without moving forward. Offensively, striking is predominantly utilized at this range. See Brim of fire. 

2. Clinch/Close Range - the range at which both combatants are standing but able to grapple with each other and use close range striking. 

3. Ground Range -at least one combatant is on the ground 

This model combines the concepts of distance and range to provide a simple method of categorizing training. To some degree it also includes positional relationships between a fighter and his opponent. For instance, you may be the same distance from your opponent at clinch range as you are at ground range but the benefit in mentally separating the two is obvious to most. 

II.  

III. Reference

A. Jeet Kune Do Distances

There are three primary distinctions that can be made in regards to the distance between you and your opponent: Fighting Measure, Brim of Fire and the Critical Distance Line.

Fighting measure
Is the distance between a fighter and his opponent which puts him just out of range of his opponents attack. It is easier to defend against an opponents attack at this range as he or she must first take a step forward to reach you, thus providing you more time to respond.

Brim of fire
Is the distance at which your opponent can strike without moving forward because the critical distance line has been crossed.

Critical distance line

The imaginary line between the fighting measure and the brim of fire line. 

Bridging the gap
Occurs when one opponent close the space between the fighting measure. The gap is bridged when either one or the other opponent moves past the fighting measure into striking distance.

See:

Chinatown Jeet Kune Do

B. Jeet Kune Do Four Ranges

1. Kicking Range

2. Punching Range

3. Trapping Range

4. Grappling Range

"These divisions often confuse students because many attacks work at all these ranges. For instance, the trapping range places a JKD martial artist close enough to grab his opponent’s arms, but he can still perform a scoop kick to the groin at this distance. Furthermore, although the kicking range is supposedly outside of the hand-striking range, the martial artist can still perform a push-step finger jab to the opponent’s eyes from this distance.

See:

Chinatown Jeet Kune Do

C. Jeet Kune Do Three Ranges

1. Long Range - Distance at which neither you nor your opponent can touch each other. Both just beyond reach of your longest weapon.

2. Medium Range - Can reach each other with longest kick or punch.

3. Close Range - Can trap or grapple with opponent.

See: Jeet Kune Do Basics. David Cheng

Distance Management

Jeff Chan on when to use head movement