Trapping

Sifu Bruce Lee refered to “Trapping” as Hand Immobilisation Attack (HIA), however the Immobilisation of your opponent is not restricted to the hand, it can also apply to the foot or any other part of the body.

HIA originally comes from a system called Wing Chun which is the original style of gung fu that Sifu Bruce studied. Now while the trapping used in Jeet June Do (JKD) may have come from Wing Chun it was adapted by Sifu Bruce through extensive research of body mechanics and motion.

HIA is an attack which momentarily immobilises (traps) one or both of the opponents arms, allowing you to hit in an open line, or draw a reaction that can be countered with another trap. This now gives you the opportunity to utilise ballistic striking or grappling.

HIA is best employed when you gain an attachment against one or both of your opponent’s arms. This then allows you to manipulate your opponent’s arms to where you want them and to create a situation whereby the opponent is forced to give you a reaction, which will be to their disadvantage. The opponent may not want to give you the reaction, but they may not have any other choice. If they don’t give you the reaction they will get hit.

What makes HIA work is correct distancing, sensitivity and a certain degree of forward pressure, not too much and not too little. This takes dedication and practice to master and even when you’ve attained a certain degree of skill you must train it regularly to maintain what is termed “muscle memory” and sensitivity.

In trapping forward pressure can rarely be seen only felt. Therefore it’s best described like a bird flying in the sky, too much energy and it flies too high; too little and it flies too low. Once the trap has been initiated the opponent’s attached limbs will feel like tension against their arms at all times which will affect their movement and restrict their actions. Guro Dan Inosanto said when Sifu Bruce trapped him it was “…like being in a washing machine on full agitation cycle…constantly being pushed, pulled, or jerked all over the place while at the same time being hit with a constant barrage of punches…”

Now it is important to reflect that your primary purpose is not to trap it is to hit. If you have an open line to hit safely, then hit. If your opponent blocks the open line then you may wish to utilise your trapping skills. Remember if the punch is not blocked then you’ve scored a hit. If the hit is blocked then your opponent will dictate the technique you will use e.g Pak sao , Lop Sao, push or pull.

The current JBB curriculum is as follows:-

Pak Sao (Slap Hand) Note: 1&2 must be done simultaneously and not independently.

1. Attacker using rear hand, push the defenders lead arm towards their centreline (body) not downwards & hold using monkey grip (no thumbs)
2. Attacker using (Chung Chuie) a vertical fist, punches on the centre line towards defenders face targets.
Defender blocks on the centre line.

Double Pak Sao (Slap Hand) Note: 1&2 must be done simultaneously and not independently.

1. Attacker using rear hand, push the defenders lead arm towards their centreline (body) not downwards & hold using monkey grip (no thumbs)
2. Attacker using (Chung Chuie) a vertical fist punches on the centre line towards defenders face targets.
Defender blocks on the centre line.
3. Using rear hand which is currently holding the defenders lead arm. Thrust your lower forearm onto the defenders lead arm to pin it against their chest.
4. Rear hand grabs and pushes the defenders rear hand away from the centre line.
5. Attacker using (Chung Chuie) a vertical fist punches on the centre line towards defenders face targets.

Pak Sao, Lap Sao (Slap Hand, Grab Hand) Note: 1&2 must be done simultaneously and not independently.

1. Attacker using rear hand, push the defenders lead arm towards their centreline (body) not downwards & hold using monkey grip (no thumbs)
2. Attacker using (Chung Chuie) a vertical fist, punches on the centre line towards defenders face targets.
Defender blocks over centre line.
3. Attacker’s rear hand grabs defenders rear hand in a tight arc towards defenders hip which should trap the lead hand underneath.
4. Attacker’s lead hand folds due to the defenders push (Boang Sao) and then strikes as a backfist (the classical or Art option is option (A) however do not limit yourself try them all).
Backfist options:-
A. Backfist vertical using two front knuckles (Gwa Choi)
B. Backfist horizontal ridge of the hand. (hammer fist)
C. Backfist vertical ridge of the hand. (hammer fist)

As always when training, train intelligently, train sensibly, respect the Art, respect yourself and have fun.