Lesson Two of the Self Defense Mini Clinic

If you missed Lesson 1 you can find it here.

When it comes to street fights (any fight that happens without a referee) there are too many misconception to count, many of them can get you seriously injured or killed. Lesson Two is all about calling out the B.S. and setting the story straight.

Knowing the truth about street fights will take you a long way towards winning any fight. But first here’s a quick video tip from ex-gang enforcer Diallo Frazier showing you a technique that was designed to turn the tables on an attacker. Pay close attention to the interview at the end of the video where Diallo sets the record straight on one of the biggest fight myths of all.

Top 10 Fighting Myths

  1. Martial Artists Win Streetfights: Listen, I don’t like to “knock” the martial arts. They all have something valuable to offer. We owe them a debt of gratitude for getting us where we are today, and they’re better than nothing. BUT…unfortunately, many of the arts being widely taught today are ancient arts, developed for another time and place in history, for specific conditions and circumstances that simply do not exist in the world you’ll be fighting in today.Statistics show that your average “store front” black belt does not have a much better chance at winning a street fight than any other average guy.Shocked? Well don’t be. Most martial arts concentrate on discipline and complicated “fine motor” techniques that go straight out the window when the “adrenaline dump” hits.
  2. The 5-Minute Fist Fight: This is a big one and it’s important that you get this Hollywood version of fighting out of your head. We’ve all been exposed to movies where the hero is endlessly fist-fighting. Yes, one big-gulp and a large popcorn later, he’s still going at it.But here’s a reality check for you. Nearly every actual street fight lasts for no more than 3 to 8 seconds! That’s right. It’s all over with in less time than it took for you to read this paragraph. Once you understand this, you can appreciate just how little time you have to recognize what’s going on and take decisive action to win. The key is what you do in the time leading up to that 3-8 seconds burst.

    3. Two men fighting street fight

  3. The Man-To-Man Fight: Another grand illusion. Most guys imagine (and train for) a fight against one man. Well you can’t depend on that. Stats prove that more times than not your opponent will have “back up,” friends willing to help take you down and kick in your head. This is why it’s critical that you first make quick and effective decisions early on to end the as fight quickly as possible and prepare for more than one adversary.
  4. The Convenient Fighting Environment: Dojo training often lulls one into the sense that you’ll always have plenty of fighting room… that your opponent will calmly approach you, bow, and ask if you’re ready… and that the ground will always be nicely padded. The reality is different.I’ve found that most fights occur in tight quarters (a bathroom, between cars, etc), with little or no room for flying kicks or fancy moves. There will be little or no light, furniture will be in the way, and rough concrete floors to strip meat off your bones. Ouch!
  5. Most Fights Go To The Ground: Most guys are surprised to discover that this is a myth, but it is. In fact, most street fights and personal combat situations do NOT end up on the ground.
    Yes, someone ends up on the ground alright, and it’s the loser – with the winner (or winners) standing over him stomping on his head. So why is this myth so common? Well, it comes from the study of police reports. You see, most cops who struggle with an adversary end up on the ground.Now hold on – doesn’t that contradict what I just said? No, it doesn’t. Because the goal of law enforcement is to “contain, control, comply” (also known as the 3 C’s) – which, by the way, requires more skill than simply winning a street fight. In other words a cop can’t simply eye jab, ear slap, then move in for a knock-out head butt because a dangerous criminal is resisting him. No, an officer’s goal is NOT to end a fight in 3 seconds, but instead to use “reasonable and proportionate escalation of force” to control and contain his subject.I’m not suggesting you totally ignore ground fighting, but you should spend 80% of your time training to fight on your feet.

    6. Before we go on here’s another video, this one from weapons expert and security consultant Bob Taylor:

  6. Your friends will back you up: Ha! I’m sad to say this is not true. We’d all like to believe our buddies will back us up, but research shows that they’re more likely to pick their noses than pick a fight. In fact, crowd behavior studies show that the more friends and bystanders are hanging around, the less likely it is that you’ll get help in a fight.Now, on the other hand, if you have just ONE friend and no crowd of bystanders, you actually may get some help. But the facts have shown over and over that individuals inside a crowd are less likely to act.
    A “gang” mentality is different. They will back each other up because it’s part of their “job.”
  7. Ignore them and they’ll go away: This is a common tactic, especially with women who feel they’re being followed. They simply put on the blinders and hope for the best. “Oh goodness, I hope that bad man goes away.” Bad tactic. Don’t ignore a predator you suspect is “scoping” you. Believe it or not, your best bet is to let him know that you ARE aware of him.Look at him directly. Watch him. Let him know you’re aware of his presence. Once a predator suspects you know his real intentions, it strips away much of the motivation to attack since the element of surprise has been taken away – and surprise is one of the predator’s most powerful tools. He knows he can’t surprise you, and now you’re perceived as less of an easy mark.Of course eyeballing a bully will have the opposite effect and will probably result in the “what are YOU looking at?” response. So this tactic is to be used when you suspect a predator.
  8. All You Need Is One (Or Two) Fighting Techniques: This is a common theory that has some truth to it. But I want to dispel the foolish notion that knowing less is better than knowing more. This just isn’t true. Because following this kind of logic would indicate that, for example, you’d be better off using an uneducated bag-lady as your investment broker than a guy with a Master’s Degree in Finance. I’d put my money on the Master’s degree, but that’s just me.Well, the same is true with fighting techniques. You’re better off knowing more than less, as it gives you the flexibility of using multiple methods to attack specific targets. Remember… one of the most crucial keys to fighting and winning is proper target acquisition. In other words, you’ll be far more effective with a crudely executed, but accurate, kick to your opponent’s nut-sack than you’d be with a really pretty roundhouse kick that missed the mark.
  9. All Military Fight Systems Can Be Trusted: Let me tell you a “dirty little secret” about some military combat systems being sold today. Recently there’s been a rash of “experts” who’ve “trained” the military in their secret system.Here’s the scoop. They’ve offered a few military guys some free training in their system. That’s it. Free seminars or workshops to military personnel is almost always a marketing ploy and a “resume building” exercise. They can now turn around and advertise that their system is used by “military experts.” Keep your eyes open for this nonsense. Just because someone trained military personnel does NOT make their system special.Another thing, most soldiers will admit that much of the hand to hand stuff is absolutely worthless to them because 100% of their job is to fight at a distance using hi-tech weaponry — NOT hand-to-hand systems.This is exactly why I’ve personally sought out special military units that indeed depend heavily on hand-to-hand fighting.And believe me, these guys exist. I even got some of them to talk. They sneak around behind enemy lines quietly “taking care of business” without firing weapons and drawing a bunch of attention to themselves. Real live bad-asses that’d make Rambo look like a pussy.

    10. sport fighting vs self defense

  10. Sport Fighting Is Just Like Personal Combat: Many think that a trained boxer, cage fighter, Mixed Martial Artist, or kickboxer is the same as being a trained street fighter.Not true. Let me ask… who do YOU think would win a spontaneous street fight — a champion MMA fighter or some ex-con street-brawler raised in the toughest area of east LA?I’d put my money on the ex-con. Because as brutal as it may appear, an MMA fight really IS different than a street fight.First, a pay-per-view “cage” fight (also called a mixed-martial-arts or MMA fight) is about making money for the promoters. They can’t allow every fight to be over within 3-8 seconds. They’d lose their audience — and advertisers — fast. So, in an MMA fight there’s no quick “fight ending” moves allowed — which is what a street fight is ALL about.Also, promoters have got to take some effort to protect the fighters. They wouldn’t be “sanctioned” for long with a continuous stream of dead bodies being hauled out of the ring.So, here’s 16 moves that are outlawed in most sanctioned MMA fights – which also happen to be some of the most effective moves in street fights:
  1. Eye gouging.
  2. Groin strikes (the ever popular “sack-attack”)
  3. Throat strikes (which can easily be lethal).
  4. Grabbing the trachea
  5. Biting (alright… Tyson DID try this once).
  6. Clawing, twisting, or pinching the flesh.
  7. Stomping, kneeing or kicking a grounded opponent
  8. Strikes to spine or back of head (also easily lethal).
  9. Striking downward, using the point of the elbow.
  10. Head butt (think of a “bowling ball in the face”).
  11. Hair pulling.
  12. Kicking the kidney with the heel.
  13. Grabbing the clavicle
  14. Small joint manipulations (such as fingers)
  15. Weapons and improvised weapons.
  16. Multiple attackers (except in WWF).

In Lesson Three there’ll be two more videos for you and a lesson on picking the best fight moves and why total commitment is the only policy when it comes to winning a street fight. You don’t want to miss it.

Interested in Learning about Lethal Defenses for Deadly Attacks?
Click here to find out how!

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491 thoughts on “Lesson Two of the Self Defense Mini Clinic”

  2. Thank you for teaching real technique to stop an aggressor in their tracks and provide my safety against physical harm or even death. You are my champion. Thanks.

    Colleen Mannering

    Reply

  5. I was a young street Cop, walking a beat in a railroad town, and an Indian Reservat-ion. Most of the guys around town who didn’t work for the railroad were either construction workers, loggers, farmers, etc. I could hold my own against most of them, but if I’d been taught Diallo’s take down techniques, I know for certain that half of my fights never would have occurred. Nice stuff!

    Reply

  7. As an “old school” Marine [Parris Island 1966 and ‘nam Vet 1967 – ’72] learned MORE than what we had in our “Black Ops.” Thanks

    Reply

  8. Again Great Stuff! I’ve got numerous black belts in numerous different arts. I’ve pretty much re-evaluated everything I know and kept the self defense aspect of what I’ve learned. All your information is spot on with what I teach. Mahalo from Kauai

    Reply

  12. Hi,
    Each time I go through your lessons I grow more confidence. This is a feeling I haven’t got in a longtime. Keep the good work going.
    Alali

    Reply

  14. All good stuff about street fighting . Only one problem
    I grew up in hell’skitchen in NYC in th 70’s. You always attack first. I was a nerd,and naive ,but I always observed and can tell when it’s going down ,and my mom was always watching out the window. She was my back watch and also would kind of control me with her voice because when I went in that mode ,I was going for deadly results and she would snap me out of it before did real harm ,which later would be worse ,because someone would want paybacks in the hood. It started with one guy ,then two guys tried ,then 3 and one day four which was really hard to fight, I was doing good,but for how long, lucky some of my homeboys saw what was happening and came running down to help me.
    Now I live a Henderson nv. I still have that six sense and a few time I knew someone was coming up on me so I attack first and when the police came ,I went to jail. I told the police what happened but when you standing there with no marks on you, no blood and the other guy is on the ground bleeding and mine you as soon as they are done I stop. I don’t abuse and keep hitting when a person is down. That same guy comes back another day with two friends and they were all three bigger than me. Running off nat the mouth. I don’t do the yelling back and forth so I start to move towards them and they all start backing up. I knew at that moment they were scared of me so I keep advancing. They get in thier car and leave. Next day one of them tried to sneak up on me with a bat. I heard something behind me. I turn and they guy froze with the bat in hand and starts running off at the mouth and I just stood there getting ready in my head to attack but the guy punked out. Good stuff your trying to pass on , all true. I never realized my skill. In the Army I kicked ass. Streetfighting is a skill. I fought guy who had blackbelts and won ,but I also learn some of their move that they taught me, good stuff too
    Thank you for what your doing.
    God Bless. Be safe. Above all people always pay attention to whats around you ,be ready!!TO ATTACK!!
    So don’t wait for the police because you will go to jail

    Reply

  15. I’m an old man,I’m afraid o getting the “shi_”beat out of me,but since watching some of these videos i believe i can buy enough time to get away or bite the bad guys nose off…one or the other…BOB

    Reply

  16. Good instuctions I’m a x special forces soldier and you are showing some variation son some techniques I have used thank you for giving these out

    Reply

  20. Reverse headlock all you need to do to cause a release if caught in this hold is turn your face towards the attacker and bite down like a pitbull. This has never failed for me and I have used it several times.

    Reply

  22. I taught my little sisters a song to teach them how to win fights against men and women when we were growing up. It goes, ” Eyes, Throat, Knees and Balls. Eyes, Throat , Knees and Balls. And now they are on the ground and I’m Stomping on their Heads.” I know some will say I shouldn’t have taught young girls like that, but they were able to defend theirselves and win.

    Reply

  24. Thanks again, it’s sinking in now that this is a life or death match in a world where it’s the last one standing that wins.

    Reply

  26. Loved this video also! The pant leg takedown looks like a very effective move- especially when someone is lurking over you. This was another very well made and easy to understand video. And you bet, most fist fights take place where there isn’t enough room to even throw an effective punch, so controlling the other person’s body and throwing them off balance is key to winning a street fight. Good advice!

    Reply

  28. Thank you Mr. Pierce for this eye opening experience you have given.Please keep the knowledge flowing.

    Reply

  29. I have been in the front headlock given by a highschool student, I,m a teacher, and I used your technique to break the hold and take him down and use the wrist for submission…which I did not allow him to submit until the cops arrived on the scene. The move felt so natural and was so easy I was blown away how quickly the “fight” was over. The parents tried to sue me until we all went into the office,officer present, and they saw what actually happened. Boy did their tone change, especially when the officer said their darling was under arrest for striking a teacher…he even told them I could not only press charges but could sue them. I told my admin just expelled him and never let him back in and that would be it. The funny thing this happened during passing period where a large group of students observed the attack…talk about instant respect. I have no problems in classroom control…I think they think I might just whoop their ass too. Great video guys. It works…without a doubt.

    Reply

  30. Very good info. Missed the #1class. I started a long time
    Ago with the motto never show up with a knife in a gun
    might. Good info you are putting out. In a street fight there are no rules except to WIN.

    Reply

  33. It’s important to work on agility and speed (quickness). Develop a sense of second nature reaction.this is how I train myself mentally and physically. I am 67years’ young and have been training most of my life.you are never to old to learn new life saving skills. Train on my brothers, peace and God Bless you.

    Reply

  34. thanks guys, you showed me some good and quick moves to take the other guy down, hope i never have to use them but at least i know how now. thanks again

    Reply

  35. thanks for the info, it’s always good to know a few new moves that end the situation before it gets out of hand…

    Reply

  36. Very good videos. The fact that they
    are repeated makes it an excellent tool,
    to use. Simple, but very effective.
    It does take time for the mental and physical
    aspects to work, without thinking about it.
    Thank you for sending these videos.
    John Gartner
    Posted on January 27, 2015.

    Reply

  37. I didn’t realize how “housebroken” I’d become. Thanks for the wake up. I’d forgotten;(been trained out) by my time in the Marines to real street fighting. Not that I didn’t have to enforce my will a few times, but having a weapon to rely on can lull you into believing that you can solve your problems from across the street. We need to go to condition 2 every time we leave the house; not when the thugs are in your face.

    Reply

  38. As fas as the double pant leg flip that was demonstrated by Diallo Frazier you could also use a low single leg which is a wrestling manuever to take down your opponent.

    Reply

  41. I am a 60 yr. old disabled man with a wife and her 60 yr. old mentally disabled brother living with us. He knows no strangers and has let strangers in our home. I fear that one day it may be the wrong one and we might be in harms way. Thanks for your help with a few things that might even save our lives. God bless you!!

    Reply

  42. You all continually amaze me of how effective your trade craft is! Easy to understand and extremely effective. May God continually bless you all!

    Reply

  43. As a young man I studied judo, keishican karate, some wu shu Kung fu. As I have aged into my 50’s have only used on average 1 or 2 tech. From each style. I like what you bring to the table. Thanks see ya tomm.

    Reply

  48. Thanks guys really enjoyed this as I am a security/patrol officer and am now 60 yrs old and am not quite as intimidating as I use to be though I still have the heart I can’t allow myself to be intimidated. This sure helps. Thanks again Mike .

    Reply

  49. Thank you very much for teaching people how to defend themselves. We fully understand that these are only for dire situations where we have no other recourse but to defend ourselves.

    Reply

  50. Practical and solid information for the street from a dude that has been there.Good common sense moves which,with practice,should be added to your arsenal.Pre emptive attacks are a tad controversial but on the street there are NO rules so it is much better to be safe rather than sorry or dead.

    Reply
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