I assume the definition of "trap" can be:
- block and strike at the same time, or
- block first and strike afterward.
By adding in an initial punch, it's exactly the "switch hands" - punch, block, punch again.
This strategy should exist in all MA systems.
My understanding of Traps in striking means hold or prevent movement of your opponent's limbs Traps can be either quick, long holds, or "sticky" blocks to me are different because you aren't controlling their limbs
This is trap to me My opponent has his lead guard within range. I pull and control his lead guard. It cannot attack me at this point.
I consider this a long hold Trap because of the time and amount of control that I have over his lead guard. My Left hand is in ready positing in case he throws that rear hand. Keeping his lead gear straight as possible is key to keeping that reary hand punch from having a lot of power. The "Grab" here is more accurately described as a "hook"
The rear punch never comes throught, My left hand was ready for the rear strike but the rear strike never came, so I continue with the left hand to the top of the head with a palm strike. Even if I don't reach his head with the palm strike with will eventually reach lead hand.
This is the benefit of the long arm technique, A couple of things can happen at this point. If I see that he's going to stand tallk, then I'm woing to whip my right harm into a hook punch. If he ducks then I'm doing an over the head strike to the back of his head. At the time I didn't know which one he would do, but long arm techniques give the person a lot of time track the movments.
I saw that he was going to duck so I continued with the long arm technique. It looks like he's ducking under my puch but he's not. Long Fist punches are like tracking punches. You can change directions much easier.
Here you can see the blur of my glove coming down on top of his head. I didn't hit him. I made the strike miss the back of the head
This is the reason that we don't land these type of punches in Jow Ga.
My strike ends up here by my my thigh becuase of that downward swing. He was able to recover because I decided not land the hit.
We do not land the hits in situations like this. Insetead we practice hitting pads this way. At first glance a person may ask why do you hit the pads so low. Hopefully the screen shots below will make it easier to understand why.