Bruce Lee's Lost Art of Trapping

When people think of Bruce Lee, they think of Bruce Lee the actor. His legendary movies, fight choreography and on-screen charisma.

What most people don't realize is that Bruce Lee was also a highly-advanced martial artist in real life. A student of Yip Man in Hong Kong, he used the art of Wing Chun to bring to light what many consider to be one of the most advanced approaches to date.

He pioneered today's concept of four different ranges. The four ranges are Kicking, Punching, Trapping, and Grappling. Range is inherent regardless of what art you study (Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing, Kung Fu, Judo, Boxing, Karate, Wrestling, Jiu Jitsu or MMA).

Back in the 60's, Bruce Lee realized that most martial arts trained and fought in maybe one or two ranges of combat. They either specialized in kicking and punching or grappling ranges.

Still today, Tae Kwon Do and Karate guys can kick, Boxers punch, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guys take guys to the ground. But no one really knows how to fight in the most lethal range... trapping.

Trapping was the key element that gave Bruce a tremendous edge. He didn't teach it to many of his students. Learned from Yip Man in Hong Kong, it was what he considered one of his most advanced fighting secrets.

Trapping refers both to a combat range and a type of technique to immobilize an opponent in such a way that they cannot get away and are still susceptible to very close-range attacks. The trapping range is usually entered from the boxing or punching range, where the majority of punching takes place; although not always. The two fighters next get into a clinch where they are both too close to punch effectively.

Trapping is the range where your most overwhelming tools come into action. It is at this range where the momentary immobilization of a limb can completely shut down an opponent and put them out of commission immediately.

By using simultaneous defense and attacks along with highly centered, forward pressure, an opponent's defense becomes extremely difficult as they are constantly being forced back.

It was Lee who brought Wing Chun's concepts into the Western world. He was the pioneer that has brought Wing Chun and all of it's tradition, modifications and innovations to be where it is today.

Tweet

When people think of Bruce Lee, they think of Bruce Lee the actor. His legendary movies, fight choreography and on-screen charisma. What most people don't realize is that Bruce Lee was also a highly-advanced martial artist in real life. A student of Yip Man in Hong Kong, he used the art of Wing Chun to bring to light what many consider to be one of the most advanced approaches to date. He pioneered today's concept of four different ranges. The four ranges are Kicking, Punching, Trapping, and Grappling. Range is inherent regardless of what art you study (Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing, Kung Fu, Judo, Boxing, Karate, Wrestling, Jiu Jitsu or MMA). Back in the 60's, Bruce Lee realized that most martial arts trained and fought in maybe one or two ranges of combat. They either specialized in kicking and punching or grappling ranges. Still today, Tae Kwon Do and Karate guys can kick, Boxers punch, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guys take guys to the ground. But no one really knows how to fight in the most lethal range... trapping. Trapping was the key element that gave Bruce a tremendous edge. He didn't teach it to many of his students. Learned from Yip Man in Hong Kong, it was what he considered one of his most advanced fighting secrets. Trapping refers both to a combat range and a type of technique to immobilize an opponent in such a way that they cannot get away and are still susceptible to very close-range attacks. The trapping range is usually entered from the boxing or punching range, where the majority of punching takes place; although not always. The two fighters next get into a clinch where they are both too close to punch effectively. Trapping is the range where your most overwhelming tools come into action. It is at this range where the momentary immobilization of a limb can completely shut down an opponent and put them out of commission immediately. By using simultaneous defense and attacks along with highly centered, forward pressure, an opponent's defense becomes extremely difficult as they are constantly being forced back. It was Lee who brought Wing Chun's concepts into the Western world. He was the pioneer that has brought Wing Chun and all of it's tradition, modifications and innovations to be where it is today.