Lesson One of the Self Defense Mini Clinic

Each lesson of this course includes videos of highly effective, street proven fighting moves that are easy to learn and simple to use.

Each installment will also include some seriously important fighting information that has taken 20 years of interviews and research with dozens of the world’s most notorious street fighters, bar bouncers, law enforcement officers, and soldiers to put together.

This stuff is solid gold. These lessons are boiled down from a 100 page book I wrote on how to fight and win. I’ve taken the most valuable life-saving lessons from it at put it into 5 short lessons.

You don’t want to miss any of this critical information.

Below is your first video, the other two videos are further down the page (my little trick to get you to read this stuff). The following technique is extremely simple and can be used by anyone with little practice.

*Note: Feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of the page. I enjoy the feedback and others may learn from your insights & thoughts. Enjoy.

Know When The Fight Is On:

Today’s lesson is meant to get you up to speed quickly. It includes the most important things you need to know to win a street fight.

The best way to win a fight is to recognize it before it has happened. Countless guys get taken out by some punk without even knowing they were in a fight (they either didn’t see it coming or didn’t want to believe they were in a fight). Don’t let this happen to you.

There are three ways to recognize a fight (other than someone punching you). There are non-verbal body language cues, verbal cues, and previous behavior (aka common sense).

Aside from getting hit there are 5 main non-verbal cues that you are about to be in a fight:

  1. The “Look Away:” During an argument the other guy suddenly looks away from you off to one side. An experienced street fighter and special ops soldier Jim West uses this cue all the time. He once told me, “If I’m in a confrontation with someone and they look to the side, it means they’re about to hit me – so I hit first.” It may seem odd but looking away is a very common, almost reflex like, reaction for many aggressors. So take Jim’s advice and hit first because if you don’t his haymaker will be sailing towards your temple.
  2. The “Finger Jab:” Someone poking you in the chest is also a big red flag. It’s a way that your opponent “tests the water” to see if you are an easy target. He’s building up his confidence and resolve, by violating your personal space. If you stand by and do nothing, it tells him, “the water’s fine… go ahead and attack this guy.” A poke in the chest, or any violation of your personal space at the initial stages of a confrontation should trigger some kind of immediate response from you.
  3. The “Shove:” Yet another classic example of violating your personal space, except this move is almost always immediately followed by a punch. You should expect very little time between the shove and the incoming blow, which of course means you need to act fast in this situation. People typically don’t push, then walk away.
  4. The “Target Gaze:” An opponent will naturally look at what he’s about to strike. Watch out for an adversary who changes his gaze from your eyes to your chin or some other obvious target. This is another one of those gifts from human nature, he can’t help but look where he is going to strike, so use that information to gain the upper hand.
  5. The “Chin Drop:” Another involuntary move that should prompt you into a decision is seeing your opponent drop his chin. This is a fairly consistent, and subconscious act of protecting the neck, it almost always means trouble.

Verbal Cues:

  1. The Threat: “I’m gonna zyx@%# you up!” This may seem so obvious that it’s not worth mentioning. And I wouldn’t mention it if my research didn’t show that MOST inexperienced fighters do nothing in the face of serious verbal threats. They often stand by and take NO action.
  2. The “Sudden Silent Treatment:” If your opponent has been talking, talking, and talking, then suddenly becomes quiet, it means he’s entered into an internal dialog on what he’s about to do to you. As FightFast instructor Demi Barbitos says: “Fighters don’t talk and swing at the same time.” In other words he is probably about to hit you.

Previous Behavior:

This one is painfully simple. If you are around someone who is known to be violent it’s pretty likely they may start a fight. Don’t play with fire. Also intoxicated men are trouble, intoxicated men with women around are even more trouble. If you get into an argument or scuffle with a drunk guy and his girlfriend or other women are around he is very likely to fight.

I’ve worked with almost a dozen bar bouncers from some of the roughest bars and nightclubs and they all know that saving face is one of the biggest causes of fights. In other words if you somehow manage to bump into, slight, or irritate a drunk guy or his girlfriend a fight is pretty likely, so be ready for it.

Now that you know how to recognize a fight before it happens I’ve got another fight move for you. This one is from professional fighter and notorious “cooler” Mike Serr. Go ahead and watch the video before moving onto the next section.

Dealing with Fear:

When it comes to fighting and learning how to fight fear is the 800 lb. gorilla in the room. Everybody knows it’s there but nobody want to talk about it.

Well like it or not I’m going to talk about it. After 20 years of working with Special Ops soldiers, SWAT cops, Cage-Fighters, Ex-Gang Enforcers, and bar bouncers, I’ve learned that all of them feel fear before a fight.

Wow, what a shocker. Fear is normal and healthy. The thing is none of these guys are scared, because they have learned to deal with that fear and make it work for them.

They have learned to harness that adrenaline dump and make it work for them, not against them.

The average guy on the street, when confronted with a life threatening fight will quickly realize the danger and the voice inside his mind will start talking a mile a minute, “Why is this happening to me? Am I going to die? What did I do to piss him off? Should I run? Should I stay and fight?” and on and on.

Letting this internal dialogue turn your fear into panic will get you hurt. Instead you have to use that fear and adrenaline to help you identify targets and take action.

The first step is to control your breathing. Slowing the pace of your breaths (inhale deeply and exhale slowly) sends a direct message to your brain that calms you down, lowers your heart rate, and lowers your blood pressure.

The next step is target awareness described below. But before we get to that here’s another video for you.

Target Awareness:

Once you know a fight is eminent you need to look for open targets to strike. To do this you must be aware of certain “high value” targets on the human body, so that when they are exposed or unprotected you know when and how to strike them for maximum damage.

Target awareness is a continuous process because as an attacker moves closer or further away from you the targets you can strike change. Below is an example of what your internal dialogue should be like once you realize a fight is coming:

“He’s approaching me — is he in range?”…
“Is there anything in his hands?”…
“What targets are open?”…
“Are there any friends around?”…
“Now… what targets are open?”…
“Is anyone behind me?”…
“What targets are open now?”…

Finally you need some basic info about what targets to strike and why, some are common sense some may surprise you:

Neck: the side of the neck is a “knock out” area. The good news is that the shoulder and head offer a natural “funnel” that’ll guide your hand directly into his neck – which means it’s a “high percentage” shot. People rarely protect their neck properly so even a poorly executed shot can often mean instant knock out.

Groin: believe it or not, research shows that most guys do NOT protect their groin. They are so “indoctrinated” with the idea that they’ll be punched in the face that they leave themselves wide open for one of the most devastating strikes. So forget about focusing so much on getting in that right hook to the head, (which he’ll be expecting), and start looking for an OPEN target.

Inside knee: very vulnerable. One good kick to the inside of the knee can end a fight instantly.

Outside thigh: a favorite target of Muay Thai fighters is the nerve running down the outside of your leg. Even a well conditioned fighter can’t stand more than a couple good shin kicks to this nerve before buckling.

Eyes: Striking the eyes is a great distraction technique. They are the main sense used during a fight, take them away for even a second and you have gained a huge advantage. An eye strike causes a person to blink involuntarily, and if scratched the eyes will water blurring vision.

There are many more targets these are just a few to get you thinking like a fighter.

Keep your eyes peeled for more free videos, in the next lesson I’ll take you inside the world of a real street fight. This is something most guys have no idea about, thanks to myths and misconceptions that often get guys hurt or killed.

Knowing what a real fight is actually like is a huge advantage.

Interested in learning “dirty fight tricks” right now?
Click here to find out how!

Next Lesson >>

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2,694 thoughts on “Lesson One of the Self Defense Mini Clinic”

  1. Very sound advice and effective techniques for levelling the playing fields between the street bully and the good citizen. This stuff should be a non-elective module in life orientation. Could save both life and limb.

    Reply

  3. I am small and have tried to keep myself strong to defend myself because although I am a kind and gentle man I have rough fetures and beg bullies offen try to pick on me to show how though they are because of my size and rough faceal feathures I make a easy target. I like your presentation however one mistake and your dead

    Reply

  6. Greetings! Very helpful advice within this article!
    It is the little changes tha make the largest changes.
    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  7. Some of these techniques were taught to us in the Army, circa 1962. It is good to learn that they are still being taught and still effective.

    Reply

  13. Are you familiar with Ninjitsu. Most of the techniques I have seen are deployed in Ninjitsu. Is Ninjitus a realistic way to fight in your opinion. It is base on timing, position, distance and leverage. It is derived from many different martial arts.

    Send me a response I really would like your professional evaluation.

    Reply

    1. Hello Rick,
      Nearly every martial art has value for self-defense as long as you focus on realistic training and simple gross motor skill techniques. Always ask yourself, would this work on a larger opponent, a skilled opponent, in close quarters where you cannot move easily? If you keep these ideas in mind you will find the value in any discipline.

      Regards,
      Bob

      Reply

  14. Thank you. I look in awesome shape for 59…lots of macho challengers in trucking. I have arthritis, and an enlarged heart. I can’t fight for long periods. This is awesome stuff…reminds me of body guard school! Keep it coming…I’ll buy it!

    Reply

  16. Valuable information for a man, months away from being 70, who wants to walk around unafraid of being defenseless.

    Reply

  17. all techniques learnt is gold to me and will be forever playing out in my mind right to an ripe age

    Reply

  21. MY DAD WAS AN AWESOME STREET FIGHTER HAVING GROWN UP ON THE STREETS OF BROOKLYN N.Y.HE NEVER TOOK A MARTIAL ARTS LESSON IN HIS LIFE BUT INSTINCTIVLY USED AND TAUGHT ME ALL THE MOVES WE LEARNED TODAY. HE NEVER LOST A FIGHT AND THUS FAR AT AGE 62 I HAVE YET TO LOSE ONE.I HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE OF STUDYING MARTIAL ARTS IN THE 1960’S BEFORE LAW SUITS BECAME A COMMON PRACTICE, AND THE MOVES TAUGHT IN TODAY’S VIDEO WERE TAUGHT BACK IN THE SIXTIES BY TEACHERS WHO DIDN’T SPEAK A WORD OF ENGLISH AND NEVER FEARED GETTING SUED. WELL DONE VIDEOS, THANKS

    Reply

  22. I like the way you are direct in identifying natural reflexes that lead to a fight. You are absolutely correct.

    Reply

  23. great easy to follow instructions have given me the tools to walk and act confidently in a rough neighbourhood.thank you so much and keep the vids coming

    Reply

  26. There were some very good techniques that I never even thought about in fight course day1, number 2, an 3. I do believe that my wife would really be interested in that self defense move, will be looking for more info, thank you.

    Reply

  27. This information is incredible! Thank you!!!

    Interesting note: all the fights I started…I LOST!!! all the fights I tried to avoid…I won!!! I think there is a principle in there!!!

    Reply

  28. Thanx for the aDvice. It helps a lot. I’ve been confronted today, and used all these skills. I kicked his ass… Keep it coming 😀

    Reply

  29. Good stuff! I’m in my 50’s now and had learned the ear slap and knuckle punch to throat in my 20’s but had completely forgot them. Nice to see again and I love the finger magic!

    Reply

  33. i appreciate this stuff, we might need it and more if our politics cause war with those sand men. im gonna keep all my guns, i wont give them up for anything, im 65 yr old and cant fight but my family needs to kno all they can and keep their guns too, again thank you much

    Reply

  37. how about us older men like myself. 74 yrs. old n have hip replacement .can’t move to fast!!hands not to good shape . start packing a gun ?

    Reply

  38. Very impressive , and I know these technique’s will work ,I have had 30 year’s of Martial Arts training ,and known of things like ,but could not teach them due to the sever out come .Now that I don’t teach any more , I can learn more for my own use, I’m 66 yrs. young and can continue my training with a diff. mind set. I thank you for the training You offer ,and will work just fine;; With Respect .
    Tony;;

    Reply

  40. I am 61 yrs old and have been practicing some of these moves. Believe me they work. Even for a man my age against a 19 year old and a couple of his buddies. It makes me feel better about myself!

    Reply

  42. In the few minutes I have been watching, I feel like I have learned so much. At 5’2″ and 59 yo female, I need all the help I can get to defend myself. Thank you!

    Reply

  43. I have never been afraid of a fight and felt I could take care of myself and my family.
    So, why am I interested in this fight course? Because I am 78 years old and I can’t depend on agility, skill and strength to win a physical altercation any more. I really don’t expect to have any more fights, but it feels good to know I will still be able to handle myself in any situation. You know, some young folks think us elders are an easy target – Will they be surprised!

    Reply

  44. this is good for me because I used to fight a lot.it has been years and have gotten older and I’m disabled now so this is teaching me things that will help me end the fight fast because I can no longer fight like I used to. I know longer have the agility or stanima I had in my youth. I have abeautiful wife that has always depended on me, and I dont want to let her down now.plus it takes longer to heal now lol. Thank you

    Reply

  45. I’m 65, and have studied under Master Mike Patrick of MSI. I liked the videos. Not so much the 3rd, cause I think a different block, such as the guy in the 2nd video used (from the side, then move in for the strike) is a more effective and deflective move, that opens the opponent up for more variety of blows and counter moves. My opinion. thanks

    Reply

  46. Sorry for the mistake (mis-keyed M for a D) in my previous comment. MSI should be DSI (Dragon Society International). Your videos have good moves that I should and will take to heart and learn. Thanks again.

    Reply

  47. This is good stuff and I just turned 60! I studied Chinese Kenpo back in the mid 70’s and hung on to a few techniques that worked best for me. Now I can study up to date street moves for in close encounters thanks to you’re work. Thank you

    Reply

  50. I have learned exponentially from just this short session. I would like to continue with the daily sessions, but right now, I am experiencing a financial hardship. I am unemployed right now, but I am actively seeking employment. So, if you would continue with the free portion until it ends, I will happily joint you when my financial situation improve itself. Thank you.

    P.S. I am a Black Belt in Karate (Kempo Style).

    Reply
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