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. Good solid techniques. However going up against a trained opponent these aren’t likely to work. Not to mention a Tracia strike is extremely difficult for a first time fighter to strike in the right place and if the recipient drops their chin ya you’ll bloody their lip but more than likely just piss them off. Better off with an upper elbow to the chin. That way if you miss your target it’s still going to knock them for a loop

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  2. Was surprised a palm heel to the nose wasn’t mentioned. Also, if grabbed from behind around the waist, twisting and using knee or hands. Just quickly bending should tobble him.

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  5. Wow. I’ve been assaulted twice at work by bad tenants. And am not as worried about the next one. Last one did the “look away” move just before striking me. I walked towards him so it happened to shortened his swing.

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  8. Very interesting: I fought (punched) myself out of a fingerbreak scenario in that he was so impressed with me on my knees and groaning with pain, he dropped his guard in a grin to his audience in AWE, I landed a straight left in his mouth – no cuts to myself but his upper right Molars cut through his mouth in an awefull blood splash – upset with it to this day (the man is a Pro Cage Fighter). He dropped like a Sack of wet manure and I was on top of him, finishing him off before he regained orientation. The Biggest Heart won the Dual, as it should. Kobus. Not nice though, nice guy, Marius.

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  9. very interesting done training several styles ‘3’, over many years, i was very fit and though my first move is to say bye and make an ever increasing distance between me and hot head until threat is no longer. when that option is removed by hot head thank the lord i came out on top. then i was young and healthy now i am older and recovering from a heart attack now at 30% and the stamina of a 90 year old, so i need to be quick and decisive ,these finger locks and finger splitting techniques are suitably economical with respect to the energy consumption vs hurt ratio. i will be considering and working through these fascinating techniques and just hope i don’t have to us them in a real life setting. thanks for compiling your info cheers to you patrick.

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  14. I feel better knowing the game instincts prevention first strike and finger splice Excellent tactics Bravo

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  18. Bruce Lee said: “Take what is useful!”
    These beginning techniques are so “useful” that anyone can utilize them, even with a minimum of training, thank you so much!
    I intend to teach my wife and daughters this system!

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  19. Excellent video and ideas for protecting yourself in a fight. This helps me to understand that being aggressive rather than defensive is the only way to with an attack.

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  20. Thanx a lot*Bob*good to get straight forward guidance, reinforces a lot of things I think about constantly!!Great common sense stuff
    Ray(Steve).

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  22. I really appreciate the info you share. It helps me too train my daughter’s better to protect themselves in an uncertain situation witch heightens their awareness…

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  23. Hello , last fight I was in was stopping a fellow ( drunk ) from punching a six ft fellow/on his back / eyesight ruined by cord for hood of jacket . Two girls ( we all knew each other ( drunk was a stranger ) . I went up / down highrise elevator ….drunk wanted tofight ( two doors to exit ) . Held second door open /let go so drunk has to hold it /punched full force….no reaction , bent over hoisted up on my shoulders ” AIRPLANE SPIN then dropped him on cement (he was freaked out , didn’t fight any more ( we were both 5′ 5″ ) . ) . THAT WAS 1977 “spring” in july went to Victoria B.C. for scubadiving in the Canadian navy !!! ( had a book Bruce Tegner ‘s self defense )

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  24. I sent an ail to you privately and I truly hope you have or are able to read what I shared with you. I feel like your approach is what is going to save me while I help people. Please respond…

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  25. The act of being able to defend alone is always a good lesson . Most offenders try to get you by yourself and charge.

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  27. 21 years ago I’m in my biker bar,all good people but very hard core vets construction Harley riders, place was packed, my back’s to the front door which always squiked when opening standing at the pool table waiting for my shot, front door opens I don’t look, next thing I’m grabbed from behind with a strong arm around my throat lifting me up and back”NOT GOOD” Instinct hit in a Nano second, bam I drilled his ribcage as hard as I could with a right elbow knocking the wind out of him and reached over my head with both hands grabbing his jacket threw him over my head straight forward and slammed him on his back on the floor with speed and violence, his feet took out ceiling tiles with the motion, pounced with a left hand “Crab Claw ” I call it to the throat shutting him down, my right fist was cocked to blast his nose, this all took about 2seconds, turns out it was an old friend messing with me, I still have his throat and I’m saying “Johnny” he’s going out, 5 of my Bros grab me off him, I felt terrible , I broke 2 ribs clean through and he had a small puncture in HS middle right lung,,he was not in good shape ,at all, he kept saying he should have known better not to do that with me and about 50 grown men and women agreed, my wife was stunned, she knows she’s safe with me, we got him scotched up 👍 and got him to the ER, TRAINING TRAINING TRAINING ,Things become an autonomic reflex response TRAINING,
    .

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  28. Thank you very much. I hope i Will never need to be in such a uncomfortable situation. Funny thing is .even i am totally not a born fighter.i did help woman now and then .it is a very uncomfortable situation. But as the guy is focused on the woman he usually is not aggressive to a bystander. important is to keep calm and friendly towards him and try to talk him out of hit her .but it takes lot of nerves going between and i never can be sure if he turns towards me . But it’s not nice to not help a women in such a situation . Thanks again .

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  29. I use to box amateur. I fought on tv in California. I got into some street fights back then and won most of them. All this was 40 years ago. Now im old and a lot slower and not as strong as I was. No,I never go looking for fights but some times guys see an older person and like to push them around. I’m from the old school and that is being in good shape means alot.You know if you run out of gas it’s your ass they used to say! I don’t have any sparing partners so what do you suggest I do to master what your saying. I don’t look for fights but it’s my nature to fight when I have to. Help

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  31. now i know what I can do to defend myself I’ve always been the small one and getting my whooped thank you i hope I Don’t get in any more brawls as I am older and more fragile I am confident I can use what I have learned to defend myself if I had too.

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  32. Outside thigh…uh NO ! Watch MMA and see how many outside thigh kicks those guys take before they even start favoring that leg. Low value target and the nerve that you must hit is MICROSCOPIC.

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  36. This is particularly great for me as I’d already intended to find & learn some method of ‘self-defense’… after physical therapy about a month away now. I’ve experienced physical attacks & will travel to receive defense training ~ an Investment you might say. All of them left their own marks ~ unseen to an untrained eye.
    I’ve considered a gun but even they will require training. (gunpoint has been a factor in attacks)
    So this course is ideal & only after completing it will I know if more is needed. (I want it to feel like a part of me-has to)
    I, too, would be/am concerned of this getting into the wrong hands…
    Thank you & the many participants for bringing this to people like me.

    Btw, only two vids came through saying unavailable.

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  41. I cherish Krav Maga techniques for take down and I really like to see how I can break a bad guys neck faster.. Although I love this Lesson and look forward to Greater Tactics.

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  44. What I’ve come to notice and find out and it’s when there’s a bigger person stronger more muscles and then you. Punch him in the elbows….. when you hit their funny bone or as I should say the Hardy bone it takes all the power out of their swing and impact. one thing to know though when you hit someone in the elbows you want to use your index knuckle. In fact when you throw a punch you want to use your first two knuckles not the last two. When using the last two you’re more than likely to break your hand break a knuckle and have serious swelling and pain for the next a few days…. When you do put someone you don’t want to swing you want to extend your arms straight in front of you that’s where all the power comes from when you swing you have less power

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  46. I started into martial arts first watching a Paul vunak panture production from tigron martial arts supply on Gratiot Ave near Detroit.From there learned from herb tanton and his cousin bill then went on to learn from Paul Bonner in Sarnia Canada he learned from Rick Faye and he learned from Dan Inosanto he learned from Bruce Lee.I don’t think I know these things work and Paul vunak is if not the best instructor one of the best great videos so glad to see you instructing me as a older man I carry a knife and have a c.p.l. good stuff.

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  49. I prefer intercepting strikes on wrist , elbow shoulder basically strike closest joint of an immediate attack, that makes many hesitate throwing anything else, if more is needed strike eyes ears cheek throat and method is not important only result in my opinion as it all happens so fast especially when greatly out numbered , kicking legs ,groin etc works well when you face 1 or 2 opponents but when greatly out numbered you need to move around quickly so most kicks can leave you vulnerable when surrounded.

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