The Art of Infiltration

Just completed my morning training, ah do I feel good right now.

It's weird, I get the most ideas and flashes of insight while training.

You want to know which range is most neglected by most martial artists?

No, it's not Grappling.

I'm talking about a range where we apply: Trapping Hands.

Learning to infiltrate the opponent's defenses

Boxers have somewhat of a trapping game which is mostly smothering and holding the opponent. Since it's a competition there are no headbutts or finger jabs allowed to the eyes.

Thai Fighters are a bit more sophisticated in their Trapping Game, where clinching is used to control and set-up elbows, knees, headbutts and hand strikes.

Again since there are rules there's no gouging, clawing, biting, finger jabbing, nerve destructions, throws and intricate hand infiltration techniques because of the "awkwardness" of having gloves on.

Fang Shen Do puts a strong emphasis on developing effective trapping hand skills to infiltrate the opponent's defense if obstruction is met. Since your opponent is also trying to hit you, you can be assured you WILL meet resistance.

By understanding Trapping Hands skills you can quickly beat a path to the opponent's head where you will inflict maximum damage. That is the only purpose of Trapping hands. Most people don't get it when it comes to this art of infiltration. Trapping hands happens fast & dirty and it's used only momentarily if you need it.

It's about having a plan B. Plan A is to finish the confrontation as fast as possible with effective Closing and Striking skills. Plan B steps in if Plan A fails.

Patterns need to be learned, drills need to be rehearsed but most people get stuck there. You need to make the jump to Slap Sparring and maintain your skill with aggressive Chi Sao. Something you can only learn from your Sifu.


I had a chance earlier this year to stick hands with Wing Chun Master Randy Williams, a name that doesn't need any introduction, a very nice man, down to earth and a pleasure to work with.

Randy Williams and Sibok Martin Patenaude doing Chi Sao

I should be hooking back up with Randy some time in the near future.

The bottom line is most confrontations end up, up close and "in your face". If you want to avoid going to the ground you should seriously consider mastering the art of trapping hands.

Get started today with our highly detailed instructional DVD called:

Trapping Hands "The Secret to Infiltrating Your Opponent's Defenses"

Master Yourself,

Sibok Martin