52 Blocks

**Digi** · 10-11-2007, 09:48

I needed an analysis from other members on this style. 52 Blocks (aka Jailhouse Rock) was developed in the early 70's to late 80's in NYC so that prisoners could defend themselves from other inmates in close quarter situations.

Lyte Burly(or Lyte B) is currently teaching and selling a 52 Blocks dvd.
How many people know about this? I grew up in NY during the mid 80's and late 90's, and 52 looks like the occasional "slap box" session I had with my friends as a young teen. Is there any relation?

Lyte B has youtube channels. You can see some of his vids here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/52blocksinfo
http://www.youtube.com/user/FarisiDaniel
http://www.youtube.com/user/cainmarko1

**DragonMind** · 10-11-2007, 12:47

I work out with a guy who has studied it. He tells me it is similar in concept to much of the wing chun ideas. Lots of rapid percussives.

**Jeff Burger** · 10-11-2007, 14:47

I saw some writting about it on a website called "STICK GRAPPLER". Looks like that old site is gone, to bad it was great info.

Anyway they were saying basicaly it was a myth, then people made it up do to its popularity.

**Musubi Dojo** · 10-11-2007, 15:11

Here ya go....

http://stickgrappler.tripod.com/52/52.html

The TRS Version

http://www.trsdirect.com/product.php?sku=FT-77

**Jeff Burger** · 10-11-2007, 15:21

Thanks chris

BTW
Who buys this crap....

“How A Clueless White Boy Accidentally Discovered The Deadliest Hand-To-Hand Fighting System In Existence.”

**Musubi Dojo** · 10-11-2007, 15:29

Ahh the TRS marketing machine, no matter what they're selling it sounds like absolute B.S.

**Rasputin** · 10-11-2007, 15:47

Originally Posted by Jeff Burger

BTW
Who buys this crap....

“How A Clueless White Boy Accidentally Discovered The Deadliest Hand-To-Hand Fighting System In Existence.”

Clueless white boys.

**Jeff Burger** · 10-11-2007, 20:20

Clueless white boys

Good answer

**jabonn** · 10-11-2007, 20:44

Originally Posted by Rasputin

Clueless white boys.

Please don't tell anyone I purchased a copy last year. It was required reading for my home-study ninjutsu course. Master Ashida Kim said it would help me not be so clueless.

**DragonMind** · 10-12-2007, 15:02

Originally Posted by Jeff Burger

Anyway they were saying basicaly it was a myth, then people made it up do to its popularity.

I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion. There was one person saying it was all bogus but even he started backing down when more people called him on his "conclusions". Overall, the concensus was that it does exist in multiple forms.

**Jeff Burger** · 10-12-2007, 17:34

I heard of the 52 Block / 52 Hand prison style in other places, Stick Grappler was the only forum name I could remember reading about it.

It could be the Krav Maga for ganstas, won't be surprised if someone markets the hell out of it for every wanna be G.

**KIT** · 10-14-2007, 21:42

I've said it before, I'll say it again: if this is what they are training in prison,

KEEP IT UP!!!

**Jonathan Randall** · 10-14-2007, 23:20

Originally Posted by KIT

I've said it before, I'll say it again: if this is what they are training in prison,

KEEP IT UP!!!

Funny!

**TonyU** · 10-15-2007, 06:09

Originally Posted by Jonathan Randall

Funny!

What's funny about it? He's being serious. There are many documented evidence (intelligence wise and videotaped) of inmates practicing hand to hand and weapon techniques to utilize against LEO's

I also recently received intelligence on two gang members who were attempting to attend martial arts seminar specifically to be taught gun disarms techniques. They went even as far as stating that they were looking to specifically disarm cops.

These guys are serious, train seriously, and not afraid to use violence for their own gains.

So lets not be so quick to dismiss what comes out of prison.

**Digi** · 10-15-2007, 07:01

Sifu Phillip Redmond owns a WC school in NJ, and he mentioned something about seeing 52 Blocks (or known as Jailhouse Rock) during the 70's in NYC. Zab Juddah (I may have spelled his name wrong) is a professional lightweight boxer, and he's also talked about learning this from his uncle.

**Musubi Dojo** · 10-15-2007, 07:54

Originally Posted by TonyU

What's funny about it? He's being serious. There are many documented evidence (intelligence wise and videotaped) of inmates practicing hand to hand and weapon techniques to utilize against LEO's

There was an old LEO defense against edged weapons tape. I think Dan Inosatno was in it. They showed footage of prisoners practicing surprise knife attacks in the yard. Pretty scary stuff.

**Jeff Burger** · 10-15-2007, 08:47

Very scary that these people have nothing to do all day but think about how to hurt people.

I knew a guy who had done some prison time and claimed to be part of the Mexican Mafia (a popular and organized prison gang), he showed me how to make a knife out of cigarette filters. When burned they melt and you can shaped them, you end up with what is pretty much a plastic knife.

**Jonathan Randall** · 10-15-2007, 11:27

Originally Posted by TonyU

What's funny about it? He's being serious. There are many documented evidence (intelligence wise and videotaped) of inmates practicing hand to hand and weapon techniques to utilize against LEO's

I also recently received intelligence on two gang members who were attempting to attend martial arts seminar specifically to be taught gun disarms techniques. They went even as far as stating that they were looking to specifically disarm cops.

These guys are serious, train seriously, and not afraid to use violence for their own gains.

So lets not be so quick to dismiss what comes out of prison.

I'm certainly not dismissing either their ability or capacity to commit violence - nothing funny about that.

I did think his comment regarding "keep it up", as in, apparently he considers it a not so good style (52 Blocks in particular, not prison violence in general) to be a bit funny.

I have no doubt that criminals are actively working to learn new ways of harming others, but the question was - is this particular style, "52 Blocks" for real - or a joke. I don't know.

**KIT** · 10-15-2007, 12:08

Tony

Jonathan read me correctly.

I am very aware that bad guys train in prison. I am not dismissing them at all, and I am sure there are plenty of guys in prison doing much more serious stuff than this.

Based on this crap they are showing on Youtube, I am dead serious - I would much rather they be training that way than in wrestling, MMA, boxing, or what have you.

Sad thing is, they would probably "ban" "Fitty-Two" as "lethal street combatives" and allow them to train in Judo or something as a "wholesome sport."

That would be bad ju-ju.

**TonyU** · 10-15-2007, 12:22

Originally Posted by KIT

Tony

Jonathan read me correctly.

I am very aware that bad guys train in prison. I am not dismissing them at all, and I am sure there are plenty of guys in prison doing much more serious stuff than this.

Based on this crap they are showing on Youtube, I am dead serious - I would much rather they be training that way than in wrestling, MMA, boxing, or what have you.

Sad thing is, they would probably "ban" "Fitty-Two" as "lethal street combatives" and allow them to train in Judo or something as a "wholesome sport."

That would be bad ju-ju.

My mistake then I misread. I agree that if this is what they're practicing "keep it up" is right.