Is my clutch on it's way out?

my water pump needed replacing so when we go to take it out we needed to stop the what is it the crankshaft? From moving or whatever so we put the car in gear with the clutch out and breaks on so that the engine wouldnt be able to turn over thus letting us able to take the bolts off without the damn thing turning on us, this is were the problem was the engine still turned over ( by hand with the spark plugs out) is my clutch not grabbing right? the car is still driveable and there is no slipping or anything so I am stumped