Training, of any type, is a progression. I don't care what the "technique" is, you have to start somewhere and end up somewhere else.
There are several phases:
1. Cultivation
2. Refinement
3. Application
4. Evaluation
These phases are iterative, meaning that you will continously cycle through them. This is the process of improvement.
Since we are discussing trapping, I'll walk through this process.
Cultivation - During the initial phase of cultivation, we learn the very basics of trapping; usually starting from a reference point, explaining the movements of the hands and feet.
Refinement - Repeatedly work a basic drill to refine the movement of the hands and feet, body mechanics and, all the while, your partner learning the basic defensive skills.
Application - Again, still talking about the first pass through this process, you disconnect from the reference point and, as your partner punches or reaches toward you, you engage into trapping using the reference point. (I can hear what you are thinking... just bear with me for a moment.)
Evaluation - Now that you've had a chance to apply what you've learned, reflect upon what is good or bad. In this example, you might find that it's hard to get wrist to wrist contact and the reference point seems to be myth and legend. However, your arm position could very possibly be in the same position as the reference position.
As I stated this process is iterative. Now we start to move into the next pass.
Cultivation - Now that we've tried to apply what we've learned, we can modify the cultivation stage to reflect this new information. We will now perform the "drills" while in motion. Could easily start with a jab or a jab/cross and work trapping from a disengaged (no reference point) position. The reference point is still there, it just that we are putting a lot less emphasis upon it.
Refinement - We work the modified drill to improve speed, body mechanics and identification.
Application - Spar it.
Evaluation - Identify what's working and not working. More importantly, identify the why... and keep in mind that it may not be the technique.
And continue to repeat this process (thus why it is referred to as iterative)...
The point is that there is a place for drills. There is a place for sparring. I really like how Paul Vunak puts it. He defines two sides; "Self-Perfection" and "Self-Preservation". On one side, self-perfection, you have people doing nothing but drills... they look awesome and can pull off incredible demos. The problem is if you spend too much on this side, you won't really be able to apply the techniques when the pressure is on. On the other side, self-preservation, you have people doing nothing but sparring. Although they'll be pretty good fighters, the problem is that they'll be stuck in a small box. By doing nothing but sparring, usually with the same people, your range of skills will be limited. And, you'll only be as good as those your sparring against.
Now, if you can balance between the two, you'll become an incredible fighter. Drills are one method to work the self-perfection side. Sparring is one method to work the self-preservation side. By drilling, you'll find areas that you'd like to focus on during sparring. By sparring, you'll find areas that you'll want to drill more. It's a WIN-WIN combination.
Cory Smith
Jeet Kune Do Kali Association - Co-Founder
Fighting Method University - Chief Instructor