Archive for October, 2007
Martial Arts Trapping – Is It Necessary?
Why Practice Trapping?
Ever since one of Bruce Lee’s original students began promoting the avoidance of trapping, there has been a lot of controversy on in the JKD communities. Personally, I think the guy avoids traps, because “he” has problems trapping effectively. Traps are very important….
Note: For those unfamiliar with the terminology, a trap in this case is hand immobilization. You shut down their hand movement, preventing follow-up techniques with a joint lock, a grab, a pull, or pressure against the arm(s).
Instead of a trap, most JKD practitioners just want to hit. After all, Jeet Kune Do is ‘the Way of The Intercepting Fist.’ They want to intercept with their fists. And shouldn’t that be the ultimate goal? Each of your responses does damage … further protects you … moves you closer to the goal of ending the encounter in “your” favor.
In general, I agree with the hit-as-your-response philosophy. In fact, it’s one of my underlying principles.
So, why practice trapping?
Here are a few quick answers, with more explanation in the next article:
* Practice trapping in class, and get really good at it, so you know what it feels like to be trapped yourself. You can’t work good counters, if your partner can’t effectively trap you in the first place.
* Practice trapping, because you want to gain more control in a fight. Sure, hitting is direct — but who said you couldn’t continue hitting ‘while” you trap.
* Practice Trapping … for the time when the direct hit doesn’t work. If your hits aren’t working, it’s time to mix it up … maybe a little “attack” by trapping.
* And of course, practice trapping, to avoid playing the other person’s game. It may be fine that you are a “Hitter,” until you come up against someone else who favors hits … who happens to be better at you at hitting and kicking. Then it’s time to change the parameters of the encounter. Remember, never play the other person’s game.
If you are interested in martial-arts trapping, you should explore wrist locks and grappling, as well as the art of wing chun: