Hand Trapping Series #4

Here's a little different approach, Jeet Kune Do from Lopez Kali-Silat. Sometimes Wing Chun has the apperance of the opponent being "pecked to death by ducks", with multiple short range punches. In this example, far less traditional, heavy boxing hits are used in the early part of the video, and the best hand trapping sequence begins in the second half of the video.

Hand Trapping Series #3

Grant Mathers

Edmonds on "Threading"

The first video in today's series shows Australian Grant Mathers demonstrating a simple, straightfoward trapping technique. Easy to see.
In the second video we see again see Edmonds demonstrating a more complex trap called "threading". Now the action is in very close, at grappling range. We have to remember, the trap need only be for a brief moment so that a hit can take place. This type of trap is NOT a joint immobilization for control, just an opportunity to hit. For the people out there that practice Yang-style Tai Chi Chuan, there is a move at the end of the first set, right after "parry and punch" that represents "threading". Some schools call it "serpent slides back", but after "parry and punch" the left "parry" hand sweeps under the punching arm right before the "push". This is also a version of "threading", and live drills like this point out the application in an otherwise obscure movement.
(edit.) Ah, and not to overlook the "Fan Jang" arm sweep in Bagua, I believe there is some "threading" going on there also!

Hand Trapping Series #2

Today we open up the hand trapping series with a guy named Bobbe Edmonds demonstrating a "gate trapping" technique. This one involves rolling the elbow over the opponents arm. What intrests me is that we have used this elbow roll (Sorry, I'm not up on wing chun terminology) but it was generally with a backfist strike instead of a trap. Here he traps both of the opponent's arms and then with a slight variation, locks one arm against the other. Nice...
And you gotta love the informal setting, in an unfinished garage--Very Dojo Rat!

Series on Hand Trapping

I think this may be the first Bruce Lee video I have posted. This will be the start of a series on hand trapping. It's interesting how our personal fighting styles evolve. When I was a wrestler, every fight went to the ground. Then in Tae Kwon Do, it was all about kicking. My hand techniques were limited to big power-strokes for brick and board breaking. Then came Kenpo, and the western boxing drills. Lots of hitting replaced the high kicks. Now, with Tai Chi Chuan and related arts, I am hooked on sticking and close-in manipulation.
Let's start with this ANCIENT video of the late great Bruce Lee. This must be from the mid-sixties, when young Dojo Rat was getting his first black eyes and bloody noses. Check out Lee's wide traditional stance. I'm quite sure he changed it to a more nimble and narrower stance later. The video is grainy and sometimes difficult to see, but it shows the young master at work. It's 7+ minutes long, with black screen between shots, so stick with it.
Much more on hand trapping all next week!

A Real Test For Kicking Skills

Jail Fight

Now, most of us hope not to be caught in this situation, (at least not again..) but let's say what if...
How do you defend yourself until the guard comes in to seperate you from the attackers?
Do you:
1. Put your back to the corner so you only defend your front side?, or-
2. Agressively take the fight to the crowd?
What weapons do you have?
1. Kicking (as shown)
2. Knee strikes
3. Shoulder/hip slams
4. Head-butts
5. Sweeps (more difficult with handcuffs)
6. Other?
--My favorite kicks are knee level, they can do serious damage. Knee strikes to the gallbladder meridian on the outside of the thigh can drop a guy.
--It seems like getting close will neutralize the kicks coming in, bringing you into hip/shoulder/knee and head-butt range.
--You'd better hope the guard comes in, 'cause you can't fight these odds forever...

(edit.) Note that "The Suit" says "in this state if you kick with a covered foot, it's a deadly weapon"...

Martial Development: Great Post

For those that read my previous post on "High Crimes", and are either freaked out, pissed off or unsure of where our country is headed, you should check out this excellent post at Martial Development: "Inside Every Martial Artist Is A Dangerous Criminal".

Charlton Heston as -Progressive?

Soylent Green

The Omega Man

Planet Of The Apes

So the last Dojo Rat post was probably a little too much for some folks, let's all ease back into martial arts slowly-- by having a little movie time together!
For us old guys that grew up in the '60's, these movies were as big as "Woodstock".
Everyone pictures Charlton Heston, who played "Moses" and represents the National Rifle Assiciation, as a true "conservative". But as we peel back the first layer of Heston and look deeper, we see he has co-operated on many very progressive movies.
-- "Soylent Green"; --Al Gore's global warning has come true. Remember, this movie was made in 1968. The Earth is dying, and the secret is that the main source of protein is from dead people. Just like "Mad Cow Disease" (Cows eating cows). the Earth is doomed. Not exactly a "conservative" perspective.
--"The Omega Man"-- Here, Heston is a lone scientist pitted against anti-science (Bush administration type) zombies that are pissed-off because other scientists created biological warfare. They hunt each other down, as Heston has what may be the first-ever hot inter-racial love affair on screen--(remember, 1968). Lots of action, this may be my favorite.
--"Planet Of The Apes"-- Well, this one almost doesn't need explaining. This is a complete role reversal. The Apes are in control, and the Gorillas are War-like, not the same as the Orangatans. Humans are the beasts. Once again, in the end we are reminded that long ago, the earth was destroyed by humans. Now the Apes are in control.
I believe that Charlton Heston represents, through these films, that there is common ground regarding saving the Earth, balencing racial harmony and the value of self-defense and weapon use. These films made people aware of environmental degradation, resolving racial disparity, and the potential end of civilization.
If you are too young to have seen any of these, check them out. I would recomend starting with "Soylent Green", which may be the most powerful of all three.