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. This is awesone !!! I’m 55 so learning techniques like these will give me a huge advantage / confidence where youth & strenght have faded. Tk U.

  2. Thank you
    Try the first prinsable in Aikido it Works the ear slap is really good to do some of the finger bending you have to be strong/traind
    Thank you for your input

  3. I am surprised really because I thought I new something about a fight yet nothing.This is very great for me as a starter and I hope with more lessons I will be a changed and a better secure man.

    Thank you.

  4. Awesome techniques. Got me thinking and practicing. I already knew about the throat shot but never thought about breaking the fingers. NICE!! I have bit ear lobs and eye gouged but never went for a finger break. Practice time. THANKS

  5. Excellent instruction videos. I fought for almost 25 years Golden Gloves and brawls and I was amazed at how easily I could have been reduced to a weeping willow by these techniques. Great job!

  6. I’m 67 disable vet who has hard time walking so defence for me has to be quick with little movement involved cant run cant walk fast nearly has to end fight then but don’t want to kill

  7. Hi its awesome dear how can i start learning practically? I like fighting movie’s and i also enjoy bodybuilding gym is my favorite as well, many thanks for having you.

  8. To someone who doesn’t know the first thing about fighting or self defense, these short videos are a big help. Thanks for letting me know alittle bit of what I need to know on fighting. Hope to learn more about it. Thanks!

  9. Thanks very much,because though this lesson my dream of becoming a soldier is coming to pass gragerly…..

  10. Paul’s demo of the slap tech is right on I would not break my bones if I already this situation can be disrupted with ringing some ear drums with determination and get away
    Mikes finger magic chin-na is a great trait to have in your arsenal most confrontation are up close anyway so I have couple more excellent abilities to work with
    Dr.v’s knuckle strike is another ability I have in my arsenal but only if I feel no other choice

  11. Actually I’m born in martial arts world . I did boxing, karate,muaythAi ,and bjj..to be honest this technique will work only on people who doesn’t knowledge of martial art but atrained fighter like muaythAi and bjj are knowledgeable to defend this practical technique

  12. I’m just wondering, is there anyway to properly tell what kind of fighting style a guy is going to use. Like say if the bad guy knew finger magic? I think there should be videos always countering the attacks you guys teach just incase.

  13. Hey! Thanks for the “wake me up” slap (technique), and keep it short, one section at a time so that it is digested and internalized. Love it, great stuff! 🙂

  14. LOVE IT 👍👍👍👍👍👍
    WITH ALL MY RESPECT FOR YOU I LEARN MORE FROM YOU IN FEW CLIPS ON THAT VIDEOS … THEN IN ALL MY LIFE AND I,M 63 YRS.OLD 😄
    GOD BLESS YOU WITH ALL YOU DOING !!!
    I,M HOOKED TO MY FINAL DAYS.
    SINCERELY: Bill T. Nowicki

  15. Never thought that technique with hands slam Question will the hand slam works if I’m 4 ft and 10 inches tall to five feet six inches tall will the slam hand be able aim to their ears? From the height perspective
    Thank you for sharing it

  16. Very interesting.. I always like learning new skills, new moves. In my opinion, the more you know, the better your chances of winning. Or just getting someone to submit, in seconds..

  17. Wow Thank You. I’ve been hurt before because of not knowing where and how to defend myself. I’m truly grateful because I could use these moves with practice. Now at least this Grandma has a chance!

  18. The video is great. Learned a lot of good things from it. I’ll definitely watch all of your videos from time to time. Great work!

  19. I really appreciate those who took the time to make these videos and put the information together, knowing this stuff makes me more comfortable wherever I am, and I am more satisfied with myself.

  20. Very informative & indeed valuable to have this knowledge when it gets close or goes off. I like that critical target areas on an assailant have been shown & indicated as prime straight off the bat in this course. No time for kissing.
    Funny story, I used to work with a bloke who had his nose broken in a fight one time & never got it fixed, bit of a drinker.
    The last time I saw him, we were away on a job & had gotten into a brawl at the local pub.
    Seeing him the next day, I couldn’t understand why he was smiling so much? ,then I saw it …his nose was straight again.

  21. This is exactly the most useful technique which I want. Thank you who make these videos.

  22. This was such a good step by step system I honestly never would have thought about slapping someone or even breaking fingers. I’ve always gone into a situation thinking I’m trying to break their leg/knee mostly cause I’m smaller than pretty much anyone I’ve had to fight. Thank you. you guys did a great job on those videos.

  23. Loving these videos and tips for self defence only im not a fighter per say but i always step up if somebody needs help but only if there in the right or out numbered or woman beaters ill will b practicing thats for sure and look forward to cing more videos and tips thxs

  24. I would have loved to have known these techniques but now I know some moves to show both my daughter’s as only as self defense moves thank you the first lesson is very admirable

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