Adam Williss Martial Arts: Bruce Lee's Lost Art of Trapping

Orange County Kung Fu 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. His forward-thinking approach to street fighting is considered 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 fighters 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. 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 the 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 formalized many of the concepts and classification of the combat ranges which he utilized in constructing his martial arts system of Jeet Kune Do.

We're proud to bring Bruce Lee's lost art of trapping to light. Promoting the expansion of Bruce Lee's ideas ensures that his contributions to the martial arts and the world will never be forgotten.