Way to block

[Heim]

i was just thinking, i don't take up a martial arts, so chances are it is a move, and nothing original, but if someone threw a punch at you, would it be ok to catch it and then hold it across their chest, and then just whack away at the side of their body that's now unprotected, or would it be best to just deflect it, and do whatever? As i've stated earlier, i don't take any martial arts classes yet, and this just came to me, and i can't fall asleep right now, so might be a bit brain dead as well . Thanks

[osopardo]

Trapping is a valid technique - just be aware that when used, the "trap" can become trapped. In other words, if you grab somebody's arm or hand or whatever and hold it, your holding hand is now fully occupied and unavailable for other use. You've limited your mobility. Your other hand had better be in an advantageous position to do more than its fair share of the work to be done.

[Heim]

well, if their hand is trapped then it would probably be harder to use their hips, so if they even could punch you, chances are it would probably be pretty weak, but i know there's obviously multiple ways to counter this, but just curious if this technique would be beneficial in an actual fight

[m_calingo]

well, if their hand is trapped then it would probably be harder to use their hips, so if they even could punch you, chances are it would probably be pretty weak, but i know there's obviously multiple ways to counter this, but just curious if this technique would be beneficial in an actual fight

One thing to do is find someone with a similar interest, and test it out. Even better is to try it out with folks who have already studied various martial arts, and then test it out. It's best to find your answer that way than by just reading what some of the "experts" here have to say.

[Heim]

well, i don't really have any friends or know anyone who studies the arts, all i have to go by right now is several videos and books

[m_calingo]

...but if someone threw a punch at you, would it be ok to catch it and then hold it across their chest, and then just whack away at the side of their body that's now unprotected, or would it be best to just deflect it, and do whatever?

In answer to your first question, it's one thing to momentarily (usually no more than a fraction of a second) immobilize a punch that an attacker is throwing at you. The effect of this immobilization, or trap, is multiplied if you throw a counterpunch or strike at the very same moment.

It's a totally different thing to hold that arm immobile continuously as you "whack" away at your attacker. You have to understand that your attacker is not going to just comply with you simply because you are holding on to their arm.

Some of what you refer to can work, but usually in the context where your attacker is now on the ground and you are on top.

Videos and books can be helpful, but they'll only take you so far. If you've already had some training, the videos, and books will either provide a greater depth of insight, or they'll be revealed as total BS. If you don't have the experience, you'll never know one from the other.

I seriously suggest you take the effort to seek out competent instruction in your area. In my own particular case, I had pretty much given up on traditional martial arts. I had studied traditional martial arts for years, and after six years of training, I felt that I had not really learned anything useful. I was interested in JKD, the martial art Bruce Lee was teaching while he was alive. So, I studied his books, watched his movies, studied more of his books, and...still wasn't any further along than where I had started.

I later found a local teacher in my area, George Lee, someone who had actually spent serious time and money attending weekend seminars taught by Bruce Lee's senior students, including Dan Inosanto, Larry Hartsell, and also Ted Wong. The amount of money he charged for instruction at the time was a pittance compared the cost of attending one of Dan's or Larry's weekend seminars, especially if you add the cost of tranportation, and lodging. Since I didn't have the time or the money to go all over the U.S. attending these seminars, learning from George was a bargain.

Long story short, my teacher was able to pass on the instruction from Dan, and Ted, and Larry and others. I don't claim to be as good as Dan Inosanto, or Ted Wong, but I will say I am a lot better martial artist now than I was before I started. The notes written by Bruce Lee now make sense, where before they only confusing. I now understand the "non-telegraphic" punch that Bruce Lee spoke of, and know how to throw a punch with serious power that only travels three inches or so.

If you are really, really, really good...you just might be able to do this sort of thing by reading a book, or watching a video. But if you are just starting out, and don't have anyone to practice with, this process can take a long, long time. Take this word of advice from one who's been there.

BTW, I only used JKD as an example, because this is the art that I studied that made sense to me. There are other arts out there, and I'm sure the folks here will throw in their on two cents on the subject.

[Heim]

I have a few books by Bruce Lee, or atleast written by people about his style and stuff. But, i was intending on joinin a dojo that's kind of local, it was BJJ, but my mother never got around to bringing me to it, so i'm waiting until i move to try and see if i can find something local there and get my own car if need be. But, Gung Fu is also a rather insightful style Bruce Lee studied, JKD is of course also another good one, because these styles seem to be more effective in a real street fight, but i won't go into that, not saying they're the only things worth learning. But, you're very fortunate to be able to find someone who was taught by Bruce Lee, wish i were that fortunate. But, right now i plan on working out, conditioning my body, barely any weight lifting, and just studying what i can of the arts until i can get some real training. But for the time being i think i'm doing the best i possibly can other than not having a dojo.