Trapping

[joesteph]

What is "trapping"?

It has to do with removing and obstruction (arm or hand) from a line of attack, along with possibly pinning it and keeping it out of the line of attack.

Yes. It's the temporary immobiliziation (or removal from your path of attack) of an arm for a counter strike. . . .

[T]he big thing to remember is not to trap for trappings sake, but to use the tactic to advance your fight strategy.

I'm glad Doug asked what trapping was; I was reading the thread and the way it ran, it seemed as everyday a martial arts term as punching or kicking to those who posted.

I remember being taught to "smother" your opponent's arm against his chest with an open hand, so you can get in, say, a punch or palmheel to the face. Trapping seems to be much more sophisticated.

[tallgeese]

It's much more fluid in application than most parrying/blocking systems and it lends itself well to getting ahold of the bad guy which in turn lends itself well to integration with small joint movements.

I've seen the smother tactic used as well. There's noting wroing with it. This is just a more in depth tactic-at it's range. As will all things, it is range specific and not the magic bullet. Again though, a very useful tool. Well worth studying.