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. Hey there,

    I am an ex Canadian Clearance Diver special Forces and a stand up Jiu Jitsu small circle artist studied the Wally Jay and Robert Clarck technics and I am very impressed with these small courses and short moves, please keep up the good work and thank you for the bug out bag list as well as these courses.
    Take care and stay safe

    Reply

  4. Wow! Easy techniques to learn that will stick with you, plus valuable tips on seeing trouble before it gets to you. Thanks for the free lesson!

    Reply

  5. I am 72 and was pleasantly surprised to find that these are moves that I can accomplish even though I am handicapped. Thank you so much

    Reply

  6. I am a 68 year old Vietnam vet. this is some of the best fighting info I have ever seen. u guys do great work. thanks so much for the best self defence info I have seen in years.

    Reply

  7. I am sure that this is a stupid question, anyway, when your doing the finger splitting ,and tearing . What is the other guy doing with his other hand and arm. Yes , I have the part where his fingers are splitting and tearing . What ,or how can you disarm or disable the other hand,arm, Do you understand where I am coming from with this question? Janet Cruz

    Reply

  8. Ive been in a couple fights and lost and won..with alot of these moves and defense technique, help you stop it before it even has to get that far.. Awsome job!! Thx!

    Reply

  9. I started in the martial arts actively when I was in the Marines since 1986. I have learned some cool stuff on this site. You never stop learning and can pick up some stuff from different folks. One thing I would like to see is more of small skinny people doing the techniques on much bigger dudes. It is a challenge. Size can be a facture in a conflict.

    Reply

  14. This a very good introductory course on common sense street fighting while making use of traditional marts such as Shaolin Chin Na.

    Reply

  18. Took taekwondo in my younger yrs , now at 60 I’m slower and these quick action technics are invaluable, great work guys

    Reply

  19. I’m glad you refuted the myths about ” fair fighting ” because most of us have been taught that fighting ” dirty ” is wrong. The only thing fair about fighting is giving yourself the best chance to win. If you think the other guy is going to fight fair, then you’ve already lost !

    Reply

  20. Hey, this looks very cool! I don’t have a credit card or otherwise I’d be all over it! All those who can do this should do it!

    Reply

  23. I got your free tactical Knife and CD in the mail. I could tell right away it was a quality piece. I’d love to tell you how much I enjoy it but unfortunately my oldest son was there when I opened the box…. Haven’t seen the knife or CD since, although he tells me it’s awesome.

    Reply

  24. does it work just as well on a bigger guy? I myself am a smaller guy, and have had bigger guys give me the death grip hand shake. it happens quick and i have been on my knees in seconds screaming in pain! mind you these bigger guys were bully’s! the size of the instructor compared to the volunteer.

    Reply

  25. I’m a disabled person. My disability is from my waist down. I’ve found that most of these instructional videos are most helpful, even though I am disabled.
    I thank fight fast for making it possible to walk around town and for making me more convedent that I can be prepared for anything that might arise.

    Reply

  26. Very effective technique,and self defense is a must know for the right reasons to protect ourselves not not to go out and be stupid.25 years and counting

    Reply

  28. This collection of techniques are easy and very effective. I want to thank the crew at fight fast for giving people the knowledge to keep our selves and our loved ones safe.

    Reply

  29. This presentation was really well done easily understood and followed. The principals is not hard to execute but definitely has to be practiced to become an automatic reaction. Thank You very much for the heads up on it.

    Reply

  33. Really like what I’ve watched. I am 74 years old and know my limitations. The finger magic and slap are things I feel would be very effective. I am looking forward to watching the other videos and if are as good as the fist will definitely be looking to obtain your program. Thanks.

    Reply

  34. would have liked to seen more with the chin na hope there will be more lessons on that —simple and fast techiniques from all the instructors well done

    Reply

  35. when times were different no cameras it was different . pecking order us army. street door man topless and bottomless, now there are cameras every were your at. I just had a knee replace ment so I am so off blance. it such a handy cap I had to resort too cold steel walking stick. the other day befor my operation I got in an altercation I hesitated got right hook to my jaw ,knocked off balance into car right shoulder blade. my fault I hesitated/cameras. what should I have done. born 4/22/44. I bought my cane after the operation.

    Reply

  36. The more I think about Paul’s ‘Ear Slap’, the more beautifully simple it appears.
    What I loved about Mike Serr.. not only was I grimacing at the thought of the pain of the wrist locks and finger splits, I also found myself laughing at my own memories of seeing drunks ‘escorted’ outside…I always wondered how the ‘bouncers’ did that so smoothly.
    Dr V’s Trachea Strike is devastating.
    I appreciate all of the explanations and tips you’ve included, thank you Bob

    Reply

  37. A really great presentation, things I’ve not been exposed to. In my 20+ yrs. Military Career these tactics were not taught. Thanks for presenting such an easily understandable program.

    Reply

  39. Bob I’m a bit lost member!!! You are the greatest!!!! I have been in search of the perfect martial art for 45 years and because of you and fightfast!!!! I have finally found it!!! My grandkids will benefit!!!! Thanks again!!! And please keep up the GREAT WORK you are doing!!!!

    Reply

  40. Great videos guys I’m a passive disabled guy easy target who recently got robbed and seeing these is bringing my confidence back wish I had seen them earlier thanks appreciated.

    Reply

  43. Thank you very much.

    These are great lessons, so I can appreciate the instructions and keep watching the videos that way it wil keep playing in my mind. Me, being a women, of course a tab bit like Hopkedo,
    Denise Anderson-Harris- Security ofc. Il.
    P.s. I looked at the features on Tactical defense, in case of a car accident,, cutting the seat belt, or breaking the glass , such things if that nature. But I will study my defense tactics.
    Thank you again

    Reply

  44. Thanks for this! I have m.s., and sometimes wonder if the couple of years of karate I took as a youth will “surface” in a bad situation. A few good techniques like what I just watched and read about could make all the difference in my ability to defend myself or another. Kudos! And Thanks again… Rich.

    Reply

  45. This is great! Just what I have been looking for. Thanks for the great work and for sharing the knowledge.

    Reply

  46. My son (18) and small) seems to always be in fights usually with a bigger guy.
    I appreciate the tips and will pass them on to him.
    Thanx again

    Reply

  47. Excellent techniques I have used in my life experience but always watch to learn more make huge differene in in a situation

    Reply

  49. I’m 83 and not as fast with my hands to go to the face. A knee to the jewel box and my 40 cal .near my hand will end the situation.
    I have an attorney, in Texas, that takes care of any problems. Just do not talk to the police, PERIOD. Claim the 5th.

    Reply
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