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”

  2. Great tips, the KISS principle applies:- Keep It Simple, Stupid. Old Special Forces mindset. Effective rather than fancy. Thanks for reinforcing.

    Reply

  3. To the basics Joe on the street or in a bar or anywhere a confrontation may arise that could mean serious bodily injury to, you, a friend, a loved one these TECHNIQUES ARE A MUST!! I AM A UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS DISABLED VIETNAM ERA WARRIOR!! Everyday men and women that know a fight is unavoidable or don’t!
    GET THIS INFORMATION INTO YOUR HANDS AND YOUR BRAINS BECAUSE IT ALL IS PRICELESS! I “” STUDIED TAEKWONDO EVER SINCE I WAS 8 years old and THIS STUFF IS A MUST FOR ANY WOMAN OR MAN TO KNOW THIS IS LEARNING INSTANTANEOUSLY! “IT WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE AND CAN BRING INSTANT PAIN TO YOUR OPPONENTS, OR BROKEN BONES OR EVEN INSTANT DEATH “SO BE VERY CAREFUL” “ONLY IF YOUR VERY LIFE IS SEVERELY THREATENED DO YOU EVER RESORT TO DEATH”” NEVER FORGET THIS AS YOU TRAIN!! ” ” YET ALWAYS BE COGNIZANT OF THE FACTS THAT THESE TECHNIQUES ARE IN YOUR MIND AND ONLY AS THE LAST RESORT TO SAVE YOUR LIFE OR THAT OF ANOTHER’S OR MORE!! SIR MR. PIERCE I HUMBLY SAY THANK YOU AND TO THE WHOLE FASTFIGHT TEAM FOR THIS SHARING OF THEIR UNPARELLED TIME, SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE FOR I AM TRULY GRATEFUL, IMPRESSED AND HUMBLED BY THEIR EXPERTISE! THANK YOU EVER SO KINDLY YOU’RE ALL GREAT!!

    Reply

  8. What if the clown is high on cocaine or speed, there adrenaline rush course’s them to continue to fight !….and as l am not an American citizen, l am not allowed to own a gun, also know in my 50’s do not do the bar crawl seen….but l realise that even walking to the corner deli is becoming an issue, but l find they more common big issue is that these brave attacker’s prefure to attack in pack’s !, The one on one situations are less the threat these days, than the mob gang attacks are more likely than anything else !…..p.s. it is hard to hear someone when their wearing a balaclava…!!

    Reply

  9. This was very informative. I greatly appreciate that the lessons were free. I am in the security field so knowing how to end a situation before it comes down to a brawl is my main goal. Instant pain ending a aggressors willingness to continue.

    Reply

  15. This is good for disabled people to be able to protect myself I had her own home invasion 4 months ago in the techniques really saved my life I have asthma and COPD and it really helped you don’t have much time to fight you have to fight fast and quick thank you guys for taking

    Reply

  17. En México continuamente se enfrascado en situaciones de pelea asaltos y balaseras es bueno saber como actuar muy buenas técnicas de pelea gracias

    Reply

  19. Good essential advice. Should be taught in school. Problem is “bad” individuals will also be aware and could create different results.

    Reply

  21. This is the most accurate account or description of a Street fight, in a matter of a few seconds. Broken fingers and/or wrist snapped, throat collapsed, loss of seeing and hearing, brings, allot of pain, that will last longer to those individuals who make a big mistake in trying to get a hold of another
    Person who understands and responds quickly with these technical movements!!

    Reply

  25. Very impressed…
    These are great tecnniques that actually work. Ive trained in several disciplines but found soft form techniques not only work better but further display a non violent approach without damaging your body. Most importantly, when the dust of a confrontation has settled and the police have arrived, your not leaving a bloody disfigured assailant behind which typically can result in criminal charges.
    Finally in today’s society of technology, a camara will show you truly used the least amount of force to defend yourself.

    Reply

  28. Hey guys great technical moves but as most of us know fights especially here in Scotland happen so fast and without any warning often and without any real warning. And more and more fights over here usually involve weapons I.e knives and baseballbats so it’s more important to me to learn how to take the opponent out before it’s even kicked off. I’m an ex Thai boxer and have been involved in many street fights from mass brawls to one in ones to which I have done ok.

    Reply

  29. 1. Slap ear. 2. Grab wrist/finger split/twist fingers back/takedown body 3.counteract punch by jabbing throat tissues
    Two methods, one and three, involve delivering blows to ear and throat. Middle method, involves gripping wrist and twisting a couple fingers back.

    Reply

  30. I love the easiness of these moves. So teaching my girls self-defence I didn’t want to teach them death moves but to keep them safe. My eldest girl wants to travel. Now a days it is more dangerous than before. So to be able to teach these lessons are great. Thank you so much.

    Reply

  31. THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS INFORMATION. I’VE LEARNED A FEW MORE THINGS TO KEEP IN MY ARSONAL…… I’LL DEFINATELY CONNTINUE TO READ ALL INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE. IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. PLEASE…. E-MAIL OR TEXT, STICKERS YOU MAY HAVE. 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

    Reply

  32. When I was younger I used to like to fight but now that I’m over 50 not so much. But I feel that it is important to protect your loved ones at all cost and I find these videos very helpful and true. I’m not as strong as I used to be but I am wiser and more convedent thanks to great teachings like these videos. Fighting doesn’t solve all your problems but it does protect you and keeps you and your loved ones safe. Thank you again this is very helpful.

    Reply

  34. Reminds me of my military training. Will help me teach my wife some self defense techniques. Excellent .

    Reply

  38. I liked the finger split grab for the control method or brake to stop the other person. ASAP ! The punch to the throat and move on is great . Excellent material. Thanks

    Reply

  42. Having been for years in the French military, in the Alpine troops, I have had to conquer the fears of skiing without knowing, climbing rock faces without the knowledge, and rappelling face down or regular ways. Sailing in gale force winds, mountain biking in dangerous trails, etc, etc, etc. The fears are controllable; ALL FEARS are controllable. Fear helps you see your way out of many dangerous situations. Fear brings up adrenaline which brings the Fight or Flight operating system imprinted in the brain to an utmost clarity, which, when trained in the proper fashion, will allow the people to take action and NOT REACT. To react means one cannot think and may cause bad things to happen. Or do nothing, which is exactly the same. To be ready means to train, to practice, and to be ready. Friends help cause and create opportunities to practice. Particularly without warning. ( with plastic knives, rubber guns, and inert weapons). The laughters later on will be very enjoyable.

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  45. thank you for some heip you gave me today it well use in a good use l do not no how to look out for my sefl

    Reply

  46. This is a very good thing you guys are doing which I know it has help many even though am just coming into it but I know it will also help me as well

    Reply

  47. Thanks for showing me this I have sickle cell and have a family to look after this will help as long as I practice on my down time.

    Reply

  49. Thank you for doing this video , I think this will help a lot ov people who are getting bullied or even people who are scared to even go to the local shop becouse ov young gangs etc as you have said just a few simple steps can make a huge difference.
    THANK YOU

    Reply

  50. Thank you. Most techniques seem simple enough that even strengh becomes a none issue.

    These techniques, when you practice with another person trying to learn them, I would think I hour a week for 4 weeks and you should be able to feel fairly confident to apply them.

    Then, evey month, meet up with your partner, who may be your wife and practice your speed and technigue, you BOTH can only geT BETTER betteR.

    Reply
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