Lesson Three of the Self Defense Mini Clinic

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Welcome to Lesson 3 of your Self Defense Mini Clinic. If you’ve made it this far you are leaps and bounds ahead of most guys. Believe it or not most guys can’t even make it through my Self Defense Mini Clinic let alone a real life street fight.

In this lesson we are going to talk about picking the right target and technique for every situation, and you’ll learn why total commitment is crucial if you want to win a fight.

But before we get into that here is a quick video lesson that’ll teach you something you can use right away. Please click play on the video below and let decorated Counter-Terrorism Expert (and respected hand to hand combat expert) Glen Boodry take it from there.

Target Awareness vs. Technique Focus

Understanding the difference between “target” and “tool” (technique) is an important concept that confuses many fighters and gets them hurt. Knowing where to strike (the “target”) is the key. How to strike that target is simply a matter of which “tools” you’ll choose.

The bottom line is recognizing an open target is much more important than having the best technique. Because, a sloppy punch to the side of the neck is far better than a beautifully executed high reverse round-house kick that misses the target.

You must throw away the idea that a certain punch or kick will solve your fight problem and instead embrace the concept that hitting certain “high value” targets (by ANY means), is what WINS fights quickly.

But don’t get me wrong – technique is crucial. You want that “bag o nasty tricks” in your arsenal. It’s actually comforting when you realize you’ve got BOTH bases covered – that is, you’ve got a solid understanding of an opponent’s most vulnerable targets AND an arsenal of highly effective techniques to take advantage of them. Suddenly you’re the guy walking the streets in total confidence knowing you can “take care of business” if the situation arises.

The idea is to concentrate on first things first. And the first step is to choose a target – the second is to choose which tool or technique you’ll use.

We already went over some of the best targets back in Day 1, but today I’m going to list some more of them before we talk about techniques.

Great street fighting targets: Eyes, ears, jaw, throat, solar plexus (just below the sternum), groin, inside and outside of the knee.

Those are the big ones, a well-trained fighter will look for many other targets.

What Makes A Good Fighting Technique

First off a good technique has a high damage potential. In other words if it hits its target it will cause a lot of pain or damage your attackers body. This is just common sense.

The other consideration is probability of success. This is the real kicker, because many fancy martial arts moves are devastating if they hit their target, but the chances of that happening in a street fight are slim. Let me tell you why.

You will lose fine motor skills in a fight. Only very experienced fighters are able to use fine motor skills during a conflict (were talking about Navy SEALs and other special ops soldiers).

MMA fighters are able to use fine motor skills because although the threat of getting hurt is real their chances of dying in the ring are very small. It’s the fear of death not a scuffle that gets you pumped with so much adrenaline that fine motor skills go out the window.

If you aren’t familiar with fine motor skills the following explanation will get you up to speed:

fine motor skill fight moveFine Motor Skills: These are typically complex moves that require a high degree of training to learn and continual training to maintain. Your typical martial arts class will teach you these skills. By the time you’re a black belt (which may take ten years) you’ll know all sorts of fine motor skill techniques, including flying round house kicks, flying knees, spinning back kicks, and a lot more.

When your adrenaline dumps during an attack (the “fight or flight” response hits), higher thinking processes begin to degrade and fine motor skills deteriorate big time. It’s how the sympathetic nervous system works. As heart rate goes up, fine motor skills decrease, there’s simply nothing you can do about it.

Because fine motor skills are out the window you are going to want to focus on Gross Motor Skill to take out your attacker. These are movements that utilize the larger more powerful muscles of your body.

Gross Motor Skills: These do not require a lot of complex bio-mechanical skills. Nail down a few simple kicks, head-butt, elbows, knee work, and ground moves and you’ll be on your way.

They’re based on natural movements that don’t require years to learn and they’ll stick with you even when the adrenaline is pumping.

In fact, most fights are won with these simple (but well executed) skills – mainly because you’re simply tapping into your body’s own natural movement patterns instead of forcing some overly-complex process that will often fall apart in a real fight.

Before we get into total commitment and the fighting mindset I want you to take a look at the video below. This technique is all about gross motor skills and is simple and easy to remember.

Total Commitment:

Total commitment is the mindset you must have if you are going to win a fight. And it all starts with the internal question, “am I willing to hurt this guy?”

First, it’s important that you understand that street fighting is a zero sum game. That means there’s no such thing as a “win-win” outcome. You either win or you lose… period. And losing can mean hospitalization, permanent injury or death.

Even “friendly” fights that start with a couple buddies wrestling for fun can quickly turn serious and become lethal. I’ve seen the police reports.

The smart fighters – even experienced match fighters — avoid personal combat on the streets whenever possible because they know that the “rules” are different. How? Well, unlike the ring, there are NO rules. They understand that even a “little guy” can use an improvised weapon, or get in a lucky strike for an instant knock out.

You should never resign yourself to taking a beating under the assumption that you’ll take a couple shots then lick your wounds and go home. My research has shown that one of the most popular “gang-banger” moves is “stomping” your head once you’re down. There’s no guarantee you’ll live through something like that, and if you do, that you won’t be drooling from a wheelchair for the rest of your life.

Here are some assumptions you’ve got to keep in mind for any fight that’ll help you stay totally committed in a confrontation:

    1. Zero Sum Game – There is NO potential win-win. There are thousands of “let’s step outside” kinda fights that end in permanent injury or death every year.
    2. Defeat is not a temporary set back – and it’s NOT an option. Because keeping the option open that it may be “okay” if you get a good ass beating means that you’re also okay with the possibility of permanent injury or death – or that the people you’re supposed to be protecting will be left to the mercy of your adversary.Never get comfortable with the idea that if you simply let this guy beat you up a little it’ll be better than really pissing him off by fighting back. This is why getting the first question right in your head is so important. “am I willing to hurt this person?” Not, “am I willing to fight this person?” you must be 100% committed to victory.
    3. Your adversary has NO rules. Let me tell you about an “underground” match fight I witnessed between a baby-faced “tough guy” and a hardened tattooed ex-con.This videotaped fight was supposed to require bamboo sticks and “Baby face” said, in private, he’d use his stick to break his opponent’s fingers.The ex-con (on the other hand) said, in private, his goal was to “kill” the guy. That’s it… didn’t even mention the sticks.Guess what?When the fight started and the ex-con simply threw down the stick, leaped on his opponent, and tore half his face off with his teeth. In those seconds of terror, baby-face could only scream “he’s biting me… he’s biting me… he’s not using the stick… he’s not using the stick.”Certainly an ugly… brutal… and shocking way to make my point, but unfortunately it’s all true. A real fight means NO rules. You cannot expect your adversary to show mercy or fight “honorably.”
    4. Always leave immediately. Don’t stand around “waiting to see what happens”… because winning the fight is as good as it gets – it’s all downhill from there. Get you and your family the hell out. Hanging around means there’s a good possibility you’ll be caught up in the next round of drama from friends or from citizens who might perceive you as the “bad guy” or even from the police.That doesn’t mean you’re necessarily running from the law – it’s just that you want to talk to the cops on YOUR terms – without the extra drama and confusion. Bottom line – as Navy SEAL trainer Paul Vunak points out… “Get out while you can.”

 

Dominate larger attackers with a simple (and innocent looking) “bare-handed” strike. Click here to find out how.

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337 thoughts on “Lesson Three of the Self Defense Mini Clinic”

  1. Brutally simplistic, I love it. As a grandfather I do not have the time or the physical capabilities for fancy “roundhouse kicks” and other complicated moves. Simple, straightforward and effective.Thanks very much

    Reply

  2. Quick and easy to learn, these techniques will give me the advantage I may need to survive a bad situation. thanks.

    Reply

  6. Total commitment! I beleive this is the toughest part of any fight and I like what is said here. No more will I a ask myself if I’m willing to hurt this guy, it will become instinct from here on out!

    Reply

  7. I haven’t decided yet what part of your information is most valuable, the simple moves in the videos or the information about about mind set. All I can say is excellent!!!

    Reply

  10. I’ve seen the Capt. Chris crap and many other wanna-be tough guy vid’s.
    However, you sir, are the real thing.
    I have a 7th Dan black, but the extra knowledge will be of great benefit.

    Thanks. I’ll be ordering your stuff. I want to see the rest.

    Reply

  11. At 61 yr’s I’ve been in over 200 scuffles, some of which got vicious. If I had known these techniques’ I’d have a lot less scars.

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  13. very very pleased, by far one of the most informative techniques out there, I just reached 9th dan, and have over 30 yrs experience, and studied many many styles, & have had the pleasure to work with only Grand masters, But this info is very useful, and i really love the info on mind set & you just tell it like it is raw & uncut. Thank you ordering now

    Reply

  16. All the stuff I see in these videos is very good moves direct and right to the point.I have been studying Chinese fighting arts for over 20 + years.And all so teach real street fighting.To be good at any thing you must practice find what works for you and use it.
    thank you so much
    JL

    Reply

  18. Good day , now i took some martial art ,when i was younger , and i used a few move i learn to hold off a attacker , i find kowning is is half the art , and your commits concern commitment is the other half , something that is not thought about unless you go to dojo and practice ! Not many people a going to dojo a lot whom are prepare , with the the information you are providing ! Those whom are going to dojo do have better of being prepared than even the common joe has,and having the information in case the senaro should happen is better than not know what to do ! Very Very helpful !
    God Bless !

    Reply

  19. I think the simpler the better, especially as we age. It is my opinion that we should remember, that although ‘the shortest route is not always the quickest, the fact that “the shortest distance between two points is a ‘straight’ line” is the most important realization, upon which all guiding principles strategies and tactics for our safety and survival should be based, without seeming clumsy, ‘vulgar’ or ‘bombastic’. To me this looks like one of the purposes of your mission, I wouldn’t be surprised, if you are so far successful. It would be deserved. I’m looking forward to the other lessons.
    I’m saying this as one of the countless number, who loves mountains of very ‘advanced’ complex, elaborate, and sophisticated martial art techniques and sequences, especially comedy, and getting opponents to unintentionally strike and fight amongst themselves. Samu Hung has done some of this very well I think. Thanks again Bob, All the best to you. God bless you. Robert.
    Ps. Basically, I am a man of the “Soft and Hard”, but I guess in a way that exists and can be found in everything, however subtle or minimal.

    Reply

  20. I ordered captain Chris joke of a video it was pure amateur every thing about,the tape were crap tried to get my money back and could not, child like audio and video quality, he even had to stop speaking onece because of the noise coming from another room!
    This makes the 4 tape I have ordered fight fast, I used to kick box and take martial arts. If you want to come out on top when u fight don’t waste your money,get fight fast

    Reply

  21. I was recently the victim of “road rage” because I was not willing to hurt the other guy. I was sitting in my 18 Wheeler after he’d slammed on the breaks in front of me and came back to the truck. I opened the door and was sitting facing out with my feet on the top step and he grabbed my legs and pulled me out. I fell and when I hit the ground 6 feet below the seat he kicked me in the chin knocking me out. I could have kicked him in the face when he first tried to grab my legs but did not want to “hurt” him, mentally. BIG MISTAKE! Never again!

    Reply

  22. Thanks, Bob Pierce and company. Anyone taking a look into ‘Fight Fast’, I recommend that you keep your interest and heed what they say. They really know what they’re talkin’ about. Trust me,I’m know fighter, been in several scuffles where nobody got hurt.One stands out though. Remember Bob mentioning you may ask yourself before a fight,’Do I want to hurt this guy’ and the segment that most or a lot of fights happen in close quarters,well he was right. I helped get someone I didn’t know very well a ride home in a cab one night. When we got to where he wanted to go, I pulled my wallet out to pay the driver and the guy from the back seat bit me and tried to steal my wallet. His teeth are in my cheek and I did think about sticking a finger(s)in his eye, nope, not me, didn’t want to hurt the guy. I did pull away from him and also kept my wallet. Told him to get out of the cab, that I was going to kick his fanny. He got out,and we drove off. You see, if this situation would have happened outside of the cab,I have to hurt the guy because he’s gonna try to hurt me. Don’t think about it, just do it and do like Bob said the Navy SEAL mentions,’Get out while you can’.

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  25. Thanks Bob, I am 70 next April and still fit and agile, been in a few bad scraps in my time, there has always been something in me that kicks in when I am attacked or confronted, I didn’t even know I had it until I was attacked at 14 years of age, and I just exploded into action. I have never been beaten in a fight, but I never look for or start one either. I have purchased quite a number of your DVD’s and find them exhilarating at my old age because they are so practical and add the final touch. Reason!!! because young people today have no respect for older people, they need to be taught a swift and devastating mind and attitude changing lesson in an instant. Thanks Head Honcho, LOL, Much appreciated. Keep up this extremely valuable and necessary supply of life saving material & techniques, innocent lives depend on it.

    Reply

  26. These are good techniques, against “unskilled” fighters. The above elbow strike is just ridiculously dangerous and the combat distancing is unrealistic

    The groin technique will work for Kathy because she knows about body dynamics. But what she is failing to tell you about is her forward lead leg step when she does the forearm strike and groin pull dynamic.

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  27. These are great videos and I am learning a lot, simple and effective, it just doesn’t get any better than this…thanks

    Reply

  28. I have never been in a fight, but the way this society is falling apart, I am not confident that I can say the same in the future. Random attacks are occurring with increasing frequency, and I want a “fighting chance” if I find myself in a bad situation. These lessons just might be my ticket home.

    Reply

  32. As a kid my grandfather my taught me to use elbows to end an assault. A friend of mine who’s a black belt showed me how to attack with elbows. Now the good advice continues with your fantastic video.

    Reply

  33. Appreciate the great value in these lessons. I probably won’t be able to take advantage of your paid services at this time, but am thankful for the very useful and practical tips and techniques you have provided here. The other such promotions I’ve received do not offer so much without charge. I am very impressed with what I have seen in these lessons. When I am able to take advantage of further instructions I will definitely use Fight Fast.

    Reply

  34. first class information given out in a way thats easy understood.im personally not too fit or fast and im feeling more confident and self assured already.

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  35. RIGHT TO THE POINT, detailed mechanics, awareness,and simply the TRUTH!!!

    internalize, Bob’s real life info,” THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE”

    THANK’S BOB YOUR SAVING PEOPLES lives… Can hardly wait to show

    my daughter…….

    Reply

  36. Blatently realistic for a mindset of kill or be killed in a survival situation. Do unto
    them first! It’s a tough lesson for an old guy who has always been fair with others.

    Reply

  37. I mentioned something about this in the comment to the previous video – you need natural aggression – not having it is going to get you hurt – that’s the problem – if you don’t have natural aggression you could be as good as dead before a fight even starts. Many violent men know exactly what they are going to do to an opponent within the first split second before a fight – that split second is vital – you need to get some natural aggression – you need to toughen yourself up – even learn to enjoy inflicting pain if necessary – one of the things I’ve found out about natural aggression is that it can actually relieve stress in bad situations – that will instill more aggression & more adrenaline – I call this positive feedback – maybe this is what causes some combat vets to become trigger happy – it’s a logical progression – so you need to learn to control it too – so OK – so far so good – I can relate to this stuff.
    I wonder if fightfast are going to mention how adrenaline flow also increases physical strength – I have a suspicion that naturally violent predators actually increase their strength many more times than a normal person – maybe even by as much as 100% – if this is indeed true then fightfasts students need to be aware of this. Another strange thing about adrenaline is that it can actually make you feel weak – even though in reality you are in fact much stronger than you normally would be. OK enjoying the vids – this is great stuff!

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  38. Wow! I see now that even women can learn these moves and this is exactly what I need to show my wife, who is a librarian, and deals with the public on a day to day basis,
    the other day she needed to call 911 fore a “customer” to have them evicted from the premesis. I think that her safety is in jeporady. I will definitely show her these moves.

    Reply

  40. Cheese us!!! Was that guy wearing a cup or did he have a cast iron set? My voice went up three octives just watching him. I’m a senior and know that assaulting me is a felony. Does that still count if its another senior doing the assulting? One of the problems is that I look about 20 years younger than my age so the jerks think I’m fair game…and would probably be more emblodened if I looked older. If I stopped the snot out of some young punk and the cops found out my age I could really count coup. DBH

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  41. Hey guys, this is all great stuff to know. I’m 81 next month . I have a 18 year old son that needs to know ” How” to take care of himself,
    And his Mother and his old Dad. Times have changed so much,,and there are some very bad people out there. It’s imperative that folks
    Know how to protect their family, and survive.l I will be ordering your videos, thanks much for all the information you have provided free..
    Keep up the good work so that many of us can survive.
    E T

    Reply

  43. Thanks for improving my mind to realize that nice guys don’t finish last. I am 73 years old and have been pushed around a lot. My butt kicked on several occasions, main reason I don’t want to hurt the offender. Now my mind says “kick his ass and let him lay”. I had a jerk shove me out of his way today, and my reply was sorry, I didn’t know I was in your way, being my old self. He then replied When I a done in there I am going to kick your ass.” My comment was “I don’t think so”, I then kicked him in his right knee towards the left and down he went wreathing in severe pain. I stepped over his sorry ass and told the bar tender to give him a beer when he quits acting like an ass. Thanks for the ideas your films have improved my confidence. Now I think I’m not to old for this crap. Thanks you very much.

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  46. Before any fight however don’t you think you have to put up your hands and say “Back off-dude, I don’t want any trouble” and start to walk away? It’s certain to be on video and we will need witnesses proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that we were the defender, not the assaulter.
    Knock a guy down is fine, but beating the rap in court is the real battle.

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  47. i did a little over 10 years in state prisons in several states. was 3 cells down from jeffery (baby raper) dahlmer at portage wisconson, and was actualy kicked out of that prison on mandatory parole in 1993 (1 1/2 weeks from doing 188 days in the hole there )after refuseing to even see the parole board several times. was trying to flatten my sentance.rock and roll was just a saying we used when it was time to kick some ass, not a fighting system. fighting in prison was using what ever tactics it took to be as brutal and deadly as possible! being parinoid schitzephrenic among other diagnosis’s since childhood, i studdied human anatomy to find the most vernable parts of the body, the weakest parts.in prison you want to be as brutal as possible to let others know you want to inflict as much cripling as possible if not death on anyone that dares to mess with you. my favorite tactic for unarmed was to punch the tip of the nose as hard as possible, this will temporarily blind for long enough to slap both ears as hard as possible with cuped hands to rupture the ear drums then to crush the adams apple if possible. i sat in the day room one time and read “the history of torture” at a medium security. got the book threw interlibrary loan program from a public library.
    since in a fight on the street you can get a murder charge if your oponent falls and hits his head and dies, you are better off to intend on kiling him and hope that dont happen, or be able to use threat of your or loved ones death as excuse in court.i personaly know a guy that got a 4 to 10 running sentance for suposidly killed a guy that tried to rape his wife. the dead guy had passed out at the guys party, so when party was over they let him sleep it off on the couch. the guy who i know, was woke up in the middle of the night by his wifes screams, as the guy that had passed out was trying to rape his wife. a fight ensued and ended when he guy was forced out of the house and door was locked. the next morning the guy was found dead on the lawn and guy was charged , tried, convicted and sent to prison. he did not intend to kill the guy, and the guy was able to move from the porch to the lawn before dieing. i read the court transcripts, so i know the story is true.
    and by the way, i was in prison for writting 3 hot checks.
    if you just maime your atacker realy bad, it will get around realy fast that you are not to be messed with, or you will mess them up realy bad. i havent had to fight since 1982 and havent been to prison since 1996.

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  48. Hi guys,

    I’ve been using your stuff for a very, very long time At 78 years of age, I need a little refresher. The older you get, the nastier you have to get. I’d rather be known as “that mean, nasty old-coot” rather than “that wimpy old-coot that got killed”.

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  49. I’m small in stature, reasonably fit – As a newish martial arts trainee – I appreciate the comments about learning in dojo, and totally agree. As a trainee – my focus is to fitness, and not fighting. What I have learned in the last 3 courses, is excellent and for a non violent person quite scary, especially some of the potentially lethal strikes and attacks. At least being aware gives me a better chance of protecting the ones I love, as in grandchildren and the elderly. Thank you so much. Bert

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  50. I concur with the trainer, it’s all about seeing a target and hitting it with something. If you are attacked just be aware of the direction and power and get out of the way appropriately. Getting a hand on an opponent will give you a lot of information about what they are doing, some can close their eyes and fight just fine if they are touching the opponent.

    Reply
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