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. I felt excited and determined to be aware and mindful by using these techniques. Simply the best, Thank you for reminding me!! Always Good, Best, Sincere, Marvin Maddess.

  2. All of your videos have 2 men who are roughly the same height. The techniques do not require strength, but if there is a height disparity, some areas are not within reach

  3. Commonscens and practic Ilike theknowledge onelearns life toinportant not carethankyou stay safe from Jeremy Rockthunder

  4. As a white South African I thank you for this valuable lesson. Daily we are being attacked and robbed or killed here

  5. Thank u for the free lesson, they where very helpful. I’ve been studying martial arts for most of my life. I love how the instructors in these videos break them down. Its just great reminders that thousands of techniques are really not necessary. Plus i’ve always been a big paul vunak fan. Studied a lot of his videos. I enjoyed the knowledge if these other instructions as well thank u. Much resoect. God bless keep up the great work.

  6. I grew up on the streets of Detroit Michigan and it wasn’t no picnic, my question is what about multiple opponents at once, how would the ” Finger Magic ” be useful in that scenario??

  7. I’m a male in my 80’s. I served in the forces. I was specialised trained. These techniques are fine for difficult social encounters.
    At my age I have reduced speed and strength. I believe my skills would still take an expert out, using the element of surprise to my advantage!

  8. In real fighting,you must make it stupid and simple,kill your enemy before he kill you..remember anything is a weapon..

  9. I have learned a lot on the first few videos, a few techniques I’d heard of but never seen them carried out, as people are tending to get a lot more violent in my neighbourhood so at least I may have a chance of serviving an attack thanks you for you videos Regards T

  10. As an officer I can honestly say that a lot of this stuff is taught in the academy and very useful so this is a great video in my opinion all these tactics work I’m a living witness of most of them great video interested to see what the book says

  11. Do not forget: once you have someone on the ground don’t turn around.or walk away until you KNOW they can’t get up. A good punch to the chin followed by a hard kick to the groin or a barstool caressed the back can usually give you time to get out of there before the cops arrive.

    I also carry a small hand full of that white playsand in my pocket if I’m headed to a bad area. Throw that in his eyes and you have time to put him out before he even knows his ability to father children may be compromised.

  12. Thanks for having me in the right direction, I have had confrontations with ex-gang member and I liked Dee’s way if dropping. Here in San Pedro I’m a hard-working man that wants positive outcomes. It’s either the gang member getting threatened by undercover cop or detective to retrieve info. This is great diffence.

  13. Could you point out the exact placement for a liver shot.
    I saw a tv fight (boxing) a month ago and it was a legal, above the belt knockout.

  14. Wonderfull. I live in Buenos Aires City. Argentina.. South America.I Love the U.S.A. and I think theAmerican People have Wonderfull, Love Giving Hearts. In 1958 I visit with my Folks The USA. We went by ship across the Atlantic Ocean. The trip lasted 18 days. I was 8 years old. Today 2018 I am 69. I move from NYC were I attend public school yo Detroit City an I attend the Dixon and Larned Public School 1959. Then we move to Washington DC and I attend Sommerset Public School. Miss Pogliase was my teacher. In Detroit City Mrs Marcrum was my teacher. I have wonderfull memories of the USA and the american people.I LOVE THE USA AND PEOPLE OF THERE. BECAUSE HERE DURING THE LATE SIXTYS AND ALL THE 70S AND ALL THE 80S ARGENTINA HAD COMMUNIST GERRILLA WICH GENERAL VIDELA WON THE DIRTY WAR WITHOUT CALLING AND ASKING HELP TO THE USA LIKE SOUTH VIETNAM DID. ICERTAINLY DID HAVE NECESSITY OF DEFENDING MYSELF AND MY MUM AND DAD. I AM SHORT SIGHTED AND I WEAR GLASSES. I REALLY NEED TO DEFEND MYSELF AS WELL MY BROTHER PANCHO AND MY FOLKS WHO HAVE ALREADY DIED IN 2013 AND 2016 RESPE CTIVELY..CALL ME BY PHONE AND IF U COME TO ARGENTINA I GIVE YOU SHELTER IN MY HOME. I HAVE ROOM FOR YOU ALL. I AM CRIYING NOE BECAUSE OF MY BELOVED ME ORIES OF THE USA. SEND ME ALL THE FIGHT FAST MATERIAL U HAVE I WILL BUY IT. LOVE FOR YOU ALL. TED.

  15. I definitely appreciate the small but highly effective moves, although I have been in many street fights I’ve never enjoyed fighting so to learn these new techniques will hopefully give me a peace of mind too not have to raise my fist for violence but actually being able to walk away unscathed or with minimal body damage…. Great video guys looking forward to more

  16. Grew up in the 60s allot of these techniques we used back then we weren’t taught it was basic human survival techniques back in the day that was how we settled our differences and many times walked away as friends it was a respect thing I guess have seen big guys get beat down by little guys and vice versus the secret is determination and will . I personally always let the aggressor hit me first if he knocked down and I got back up the fight was on otherwise he won but I knew by that what kind of opponent I was facing and if he hit me and I didn’t go down that was a different story I spent 4 years in the military and my tactics changed was in 2 serious hand to hand confrontations which almost cost me rank your videos are educational at 60 I still try to stay in shape should the need arise thx

  17. This was good. My husband always told me that evert hinges is a potential weapon. Also as a nurse I know a lot of vulnerable areas. I liked the signs some e is ready to hit you. Those are good clues and easy to remember.

  18. great material…Thank you for offering this… I’m 74 years old and I can learn a lot nfrom these videos.. Great tool for old or young ..man or woman…again thank you for giving me back a sense of pride……cb

  19. My name is Chester and I’m from Wichita Kansas and Kansas city Missouri. I’m former Navy and have been in way too many bad Street fights. I’m very interested in learning more about the possibility of getting the fighting knowledge you have. I am going to start a job very soon and I will be signing up for your classes.

  20. my problems are – im older and in reasonably good shape but my knees are bad time and working has made my knees bad can you address that problem please

  21. That’s good stuff to know because i live on the streets and i have to be ready all the time and knowing simple stuff like that could save my life and others thank YOU

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