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!

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

  1. What a great tutorial i leatned a few things! The lessons/videos are just just long enough. I cant wait to learn more…hopefully never to put into practice ever again. Peace out and happy new year. Veronica from massachusetts

  2. I’m disabled/spinal surgery recently..I’m an ez target ..it’s good to know some of these manipulations tactics( hopefully enough time to get the publics attention) I was jumped by 3 young men((16, 17 & 19 yr olds) in 1990..THEY BEAT ME & ROBBED…ever since then I’ve had a fear of it happening again ,especially now that I’m older & weaker..

  3. As a woman of just 5’3″, 115# I can’t help but be excited about Mike Serr’s “finger magic” techniques. Thanks guys for the inspiration.
    Sincerely,
    Celeste Waldrip

  4. Very easy to use no matter your size. Little women could take a large man down. Every woman should learn these simple things for their own protection.

  5. Hi my name is Keith, I’m Just adout to turn 58yrs. I know that sooner or later someone’s going to attack me ..watching the Video, wow!! I NEED HELP! …

  6. I really like the chin na lesson the most . But all are very practical and would be easy to learn. The one thing I do notice is each system seems to have some wing Chung helping out in the style. Thanks for the lessons guys. They were great!

  7. As an older woman (65), I feel these tips are so important. I try to be aware of my surroundings and do what I can to protect myself in parking lots, etc., but this is GREAT! Thanks so much.

  8. In “Target Awareness” you state that “once you know an attack is eminent” – please correct this to read “once you know an attack is imminent” which is what you really mean. Sorry to be picky but the meanings are different. Thank you for the series, the information has been very useful.

  9. At 68 years of age I don’t look for fights. We live in a society where scumbags are rife, so thank you for the opportunity where I can look after me and my wife should the need arise.

  10. This is very helpful info and i am not taking alot of peoples crap anymore strike first worry later is my new motto

  11. Wow… excellent basic moves to control and debilitate your opponent before he can get rolling. Reading his approach and making the concrete decision to act first is really the key to this. I have always waited and tried to be prepared to counter his first attack…. Wow…how dumb…. I guess I have just been “lucky” not to get my “clock cleaned by a “pro”. I have got to retrain my mindset for the future…that will take some mental and physical practice…starting now. great info on reading the aggressor before he actually makes a full on attack. Loved the slap techniques…why punch when the slap…which is easier to do…. can be so damaging…and quicker to execute with great force. Loved the info on choosing target areas. I recently became familiar with the ninja tool of “mitsubushi” or blinding powders. I just finished making up my first batch…with the addition of some finely ground glass to extend and create more intense damage. Now I do not go anywhere without a couple of black eggs or a two part metal pen clip type container in my pocket ready to fill my hand with powder or to open and fling in an arch of powder at my opponent…. after that…fight over….and he is ALL MINE for the next dance. which is a little electro shock therapy… I don’t want to fight…. I just want to dominate and destroy my attacker……seriously….. and then walk away….like I was never there…..

  12. I know a few of these moves and i was just wandering why would you show these move to people that aren’t dissaplend to have this kind of knowledge the world os dangerous enough isn’t it and most of what i seen on here are 100 percent death moves. Wtf. Im pretty good myself but I’ve been trained mind body and soul.

  13. Thanks for the short version of your of your slef defense .I will be ordering you tape.i have save your web site. Witch is the best way to start? I do know a little on fighting but not enough on what I just seen and I didn’t see much.

  14. This was a great tutorial on the basic self defense techniques. I knew a lot of them but lacked the knowledge of how to execute them in an effective way, also ways to practice without harming partner like slap on shoulder to get use to technique of slapping the ear very useful the instructors do an amazing job on breaking it down into simple 1,2,3 steps.
    THANKS SO much for this great training course I sure 100% that one day the techniques shown in just this first day will save my life if ever in a hostel situations.
    Michael R. Baltimore Maryland
    If you follow the news Baltimore city can’t go a weekend with out killing someone now when I need to travel into the city I feel much more confident then in the past that I will at the very least not make myself a target and let anyone who wishes to do me harm not going to roll over and take it I going put up a he’ll of a fight.

  15. I am a South African and more often than not you don’t need to be a troublemaker here in order to be involved in a fight. One therefore always has to be on the alert and ready for an unexpected and unprovoked attack. The first lesson you have forwarded is a clear indicator that, if I follow the instructions to the book and practice the moves, I am going to regain my self-esteem and self confidence ( I have a metal plate which was inserted in my body to keep my fractured hip intact after a vehicle accident, and which obviously took away a lot from me in terms of balance and self confidence). With this type of information and training at my disposal, I am very confident that I will not choose the latter part of “fight or flight” should the need to defend myself arise. Regards

  16. These techniques are all very good and well thought out and very useful as a Marine 1956 to 1960 not a youngster and hold a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and a Brown Belt in Judo, your techniques are very good for someone my age and understanding. I will certainly practice them. Thank you, looking forward to your next lesson.

  17. As a friendly open Honest Abe it’s sometimes a person like that myself finds himself in easy target for bullies knowing all that I do easy for me to avoid and all out fight with a lot of techniques over the years I have used. love what you’re sharing love, what I’m taking in, hearing, seeing, and in Reading. thank you! common ground

  18. This videos are fantastic i’m sure that it can help myself and my wife along with my family. I always look forward to seeing them and i’m always surprise at how easy they are to learn with a little practice of course.
    Keep up the good work FightFast, I wondering if you have any stats on how many lives you saved using your videos I bet the numbers will be high. Thanks again guys. Art L

  19. Wowing on how easy the move are. Very educational ways to not have teeth busted or ribs broken this steps move yes save lives and trip to hospital. Me was shocked how easy moves are.Me small man skinny two hundred pounds five nine tall.now with all this in my head thank you for the education.but now to FOUR five guys got to you me have three of your knives that help on two guys but fourth five guy me dead in trouble.some of what you teach me you say bar drinking that helps it a weakness.but sober thugs punks it lot to have at your face your dead one guy may have a gun.so me mean this is American country rape your females can not be stop you need gun against gun.Wow allot to thinking ON.Well now me have some in site moves thank you.

  20. I do not know if you know about it, but you can help other people with these comments and videos. Thanks for this.

  21. At my age I hope I have been in my last fight, but at my age it is important to fight fast and effective if necessary. Looking forward to more lessons. Very impressed with the finger magic. Thanks to all.

  22. Very helpful info to keep in mind and learn thank you for your time in teaching people to protect themselves

  23. Thank you SO much. You guys have found a way for someone like myself to actually feel confident walking down the street without fear!

  24. LOOKS PROMISING CERTAINLY WILL GIVE YOU LARGE ADVANTAGES. TO DEFEND YOURSELF IF NECESSARY AND QUICKLY STRAIGHTEN THE IMMINENT ISSUE OUT !!!! HOW CAN I SAVE THE VIDEOS TO VIEW THEM LATER ????

  25. Thank you . These lessons d quick videos have opened my eyes . I will continue watching and am thinking very hard on purchasing these videos.. thank you again

  26. I knew of both techniques (ear slap and knuckles to throat) this says alot about your honesty. Which goes a long way with me. These videos are true to form and can help you.

  27. At one point you talk about your stance the triangle stance and the basic stance. You talk as If we know them. But I don’t. Will you be teaching this in the free lessons. I know your stance is very important and hope this will be detailed soon. Thanks.

  28. Very good information for fighters at any level, thank you and I’ll definitely be looking for more of your lessons (teachings)
    ✌🏽

  29. Great advice on Technique and approach, These are things I’ve never thought about Especially the body signs of a fight is about to ensue
    Thank you

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