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”

  4. This is a great refresher course for me, I’m just about 65 years old and still working in the security Ind. Served in the Marines back in 68,69 so it’s been awhile and of course I’m much slower. I have guards working under me and I want to be able to give them some instruction to build their confidence and this is going to really aid me.

    Reply

  5. Nice techniques, more citizens need to know them as crime increases. I am interested because I feel they may be useful for school office people to learn as they may get in a life or death situation and need this knowledge. Thanks for making us more prepared! Larry E. Winslow

    Reply

  6. I live in an area with active gangs. This knowledge just might help if someone approaches me to try to hurt me or someone I care about.
    Thank you.

    Reply

  7. like the ability of stopping aggressor before they can hurt you. I’m 64, not sure of having the ability to perform well as I would like

    Reply

  9. Coming from a 63 y.o. man who is severely disabled by intractable pain I can say that you have given me several useable tools which won’t result in causing me crippling pain. Every other self defense method I’ve seen have been too aggressive for me to even consider.
    Many thanks!
    Charles

    Reply

  11. Thank You for the videos. While I took Martial Arts for quite a while I don’t remember any of the techniques that I had learned so these are a good reminder. What happened to the first day video with the finger and or had grabs. I liked those the best.

    Mahalo Nui Loa

    Kelelalani

    Reply

  12. With Paul Vunak, I go back to “Street Smarts”, more than 20 yrs ago — Good stuff, and thank you.

    Reply

  18. I loved the videos. The one thing that is not covered is how does a right handed person deal with a lefty. The lefty has all their power and strength in their left. How does a right handed person deal with this? I know boxers have to learn a whole new technique to deal with this. Do any of your videos cover this?

    Reply

  19. Awesome techniques, I used to take Tae Kwon Do, but that thought me multiple and complex moves that would take too long to execute during a fight. These moves are prefect for just defending yourself in a pinch.

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  22. I love it, keep them comming! Can’t believe how much I have forgotten over the years,too
    sedentary life style, now life changes dictates differently now , thanks!

    Reply

  25. Wow, super simple and effective stuff! In the past I have studied Karate and Judo, and I found that many of those martial arts are complex and difficult to use effectively, and require excellent stamina and either great size/strength or mastery of techniques. I frequently find myself in bad situations as I live in an area where the demonic drug Ice is a huge problem, and I walk through these bad areas frequently to go to the gym and the shops etc, often at night. I already have a physical advantage over most other teenagers, so these super easy and effective techniques will really help me hone my skills in the likely event that I find myself in a street fight. I will definitely be showing my mates this stuff. Cheers, Jim.

    Reply

  31. The finger magic was very good information I will practise this to perfection for my own protection and others thank you very much indeed as l’m a very young 61 year old

    Reply

  33. Gracias por hacer que vea los detalles mas bellos de esta vida con la seguridad de como conducirme en este mundo lleno de potenciales peligros.. Gracias Saludos.

    Reply

  34. Some very good techniques and good demonstrations. I will look forward to seeing more tomorrow! Just out of curiosity what percentage of recipients of the knuckle to Adam’s apple or trachea end up dieing? Is there anything that can be done to render aid after they have been dropped and secured,if one was inclined to do so? Thank you for sharing these techniques!

    Reply

  35. I learnt so much, very informative. I can tell by the end of these lessons I will feel much more confident in a fight situation

    Reply

  36. The information is useful especially the target areas.never realized the neck was so vulnerable.can’t wait to look at the informationon day two.

    Reply

  37. I have to admit watching these videos have made me feel like even at my age and with the start of arthritis in my fingers and wrist that I can defend myself if the need came I look forward to day 2.

    Reply

  40. Man I love your stuff. I’m disabled (heart probs, on my 3rd defibrillator, COPD, and other physical probs.) and on a fixed income; but if at all possible, I would love to buy your videos. Love all the free stuff, and have learned a lot of VERY useful info. Have saved all your stuff so I can go back and watch over anytime I want.
    Keep up the good work, and keep all the free stufff coming!

    Reply

  42. These are great. I never new that you could tell what someone was going to do that soon. I will practice these with my wife.
    Thanks

    Reply

  45. Terrific techniques. Its been along time since i’ve practice martial arts and these are useful techniques for someone like me to remember. Thanks.

    Reply

  47. I really like the video’s and see where there would be tremendous value to using the techniques…for me however, I have two very bad & weaken shoulders-the strength I had as a young man is maybe 30% of what it was…from what I can see, the men in these films have significant strength and broad shoulders…are there techniques that I could use with my physical condition?

    Reply

  49. And to eric, instead of blocking the fist outward, block it inwards and trap his arm into his own body and strike at into the neck as shown. The reason why i say inward is because his strike is concentrated inwards amd forwards, so when you add to it. He will most likely spin or will swing with his arm brought into himself. But i will also guard the elbow just to be safe then engage. Just a simple 1,2,3

    Reply
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