What is more street functional? Trapping or Hitting?

I have a specific dilema when it comes to the functionality of trapping via gaining the attachment. I love trapping and DO understand the method in how it works, I have been practicing JKD/JFK/JFGF for over 10 years, however whenever I try to get an intelligent answer regarding the functionality of trapping the man to hit the man, I get all kinds of weird round the bout responses.

One response even went as far a being a challenge to fight chi sao to prove that phon sao works in fighting. Ohhhh Kay! My point exactly. How about lets not touch hands and let's see you get past my stop kicks boxing and stait blast. Remember, jabs do not hang out there for seconds so you can get a reference point to trap.

Can someone help?

~phillyjkdfighter

I have never really been a big fan of trapping.I do study JKD at this time and find it to be of some importance in studying and I do see some simple traps working in the street.I do also see someone getting pounded trying to telegraph a trap in a straight up street fight.

Even an untrained individual will resort to instinct which is to grapple or just let those haymakers fly!

If you get the trap cool.If you don't well,this is why there is much more to JKD.Practice traps some to get some type of skill in doing so but I wouldn't focus on these techniques to the extent that many JKD or wing chun schools do.This is just my opinion.

So what's the weather like up there in Philly ?

Greets!

Trapping is simply to remove the obstruction from the line. You don't go in TO TRAP, you attack, and if they happen to block, parry, etc and WHAM give you the stem - take the trap SO you can hit.

In other words, don't make a plan of trapping, think hit, but if the obstruction comes on the line, trap.

It's for in-fighting.. not opening up or closing the gap. I don't think that would be a good way to trap :)

Just my two cents!

-Will

Greetings:

My view on this subject is this. Practicing trapping is just a method to develop sensitivity.

It's not and means to an end by itself. You develop this attribute until it becomes second nature.

When you happen to be in a fight if you sensitivity is real high you will react when your opponent gives you the right energy to use this attribute and this tool.

Remember in J.K.D. there are various ranges of combat. If your excellent in trapping range and you can keep your opponent in that range (but i doubt it) your chances of getting a trap will be high.

Best regards.

Its a simple answer.There is no clear answer!! JKD is all about adapting to the situation.There is no 1 response to an action so trapping should only be 1 more thing you could respond with.And since Bruce Lee was always changing his system who even knows if trapping would be used now days.Bruce only cared if it would work in a REAL FIGHT.Hence why he punched tons of holes in the wing chun system he thought was the best for years.He realized alot if it had no use in a real combat situation.So ask yourself this.Does trapping work for you in real no holds barred fighting or not.If it does keep it if not toss it.