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. This is really helpful when it comes to my case, my town is one the most crime-filled town in the US, so this will help me to protect my family and friends when we go out on the streets at night and during the day, especially since most people wouldn’t expect a girl to know fighting techniques since I look like an easy target to some people but trust me they’ll have second thoughts after this

    Reply

  3. I Loved the first and last video. There were things I didn’t know just read about . Now I know how it’s done. Thank you

    Reply

  4. I found the explanations very easy To understand and the techniques not difficult to apply.
    I could have never imagined that these techniques could be learnt so easily.
    Thank you very much

    Reply

  7. Thank you for the lesson at my age and with neck and back injuries you have shown me that I can still protect myself and family if need be without the jumping and kicking

    Reply

  9. I am really excited about the knife that a great price that I just pay for shipping .I am also liking the videos I am 54 year old women will these techniques work for me ?

    Reply

  11. Thanks for this info. When I was a young man I fought in the ring, so punching at that distance worked. Now older and slower your instructional videos have helped me out of getting beast down. Funny how street punks don’t. do well when you are inside punching range. Elbow inside fighting helped me out a lot. I take all the tapes seriously because you have to respond to what attacker comes at you with . Thanks again!

    Reply

  15. Hi Bob
    Thanks very much. This is fantastic stuff. I’m a widowed grandfather with two young grandchildren, 9 & 10 in my permanent custody, but I’m not ready to keel over and play dead, so from the course purchases I’ve got from you, plus the spike and knives I intend doing damage if attacked.

    The right mindset is so important regarding being prepared to hurt someone rather than running away – which I can’t do because my left knee was destroyed playing rugby and I’m recovering from my second left knee replacement!

    Thanks again for these courses.

    Best wishes

    Rob Porter

    Reply

  17. This information is easy to follow and improve on with time. Thankyou for sharing these effective actions and I look forward to the introduction of more worthy techniques.

    Reply

  18. The very first thing I learned about self defense (from my mother) was that any/all street fights are a matter of life or death. Usually from the simple fact that most who attack you are not well trained, so may inadvertently use a life ending technique. Regardless, moms advice was to end the encounter as quickly as possible. In simple words, have the mindset, always, that you are fighting for your Life.
    Mom was correct about that, and almost everything else she taught me.

    Reply

  19. One of your life saving remarks could mean if you live or die in a conflict situation. Thanks for making the average person aware of the fact that could save our lives. God bless you richly.

    Reply

  20. Very interesting for sure an easy to follow. knowing beforehand whats up is a difinite plus. Please keep up the great insight.

    Reply

  23. These are all very simple to learn excellent techniques that with a minimum amount of practice that will stay with you forever!!

    Most of all they can and do inflict the most amount of pressure and breakage to specific in close fighting that will make your opponent wish they had never attacked you in the first place for these are excellent fight ending techniques easy to practice and learn and never forget( REMEMBER THAT THE MORE IN FIGHTING TECHNIQUES THAT YOU LEARN OR MASTER THE BETTER!!

    FOR IN A LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION THE MORE
    TECHNIQUES YOU KNOW THE BETTER EVERY TIME AND NEVER EVER HESITATE TO USE THEM WITH DEADLY SPEED AND PROPER TECHNIQUE AND DEADLY ACCURACY FOR IF YOU KNOW
    THERE IS NO WAY OUT YOU STRIKE HARD AND FAST!! Master 7 Dan Old world Taekwondo!!!

    Reply

  24. Excellent stuff. I’m retired now but as a 3rd degree with close combat experience, weapons, and empty hand, I taught with the same perspective. I’m pleased to see the real unedited techniques as I firmly believe they are effective.

    Great job,

    John Pierson

    Reply

  25. Kinda makes me want to go look for a fight but Everytime I got into a I’ve gotten my ass whooped so I don’t want to look for a fight and hopefully the next time I do get in a fight I pray I remember your technics even though it has been years since I have been in a fight but I have heard from others that says I’m a bad ass but how is that when every fight I’ve been in I got my ass kicked but one day when the one that has kicked my ass I will not allow it to happen again with what I have learned THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS

    Reply

  26. Thank you. My wife showed me this email. As a retired narcotics officer, I really appreciate the fact you put this together.

    Reply

  29. Great moves for beginners of Streetfight. These taf guys are excellent trainers for that!
    Thanks, Bob

    Reply

  32. I have learnt a great amount.
    The videos are clear and the explanations are easy to understand.
    Thank you.

    Reply

  34. I can tell by what your saying are extremely vital facts! I’m not a “street” fighter but have worked as a bouncer downtown Huntington Beach, ca. Not considered a ruff bar Sean but frequently got, I think the word is STUPID! Alot of the time it was so crowded for wide arcing movement and we weren’t really supposed to hurt anybody that tying up there ability with either a bear hug or arm bar around the neck to escort them out usually worked. My favorite in any other situations THE EYES!!!! Fast simple and usually you didn’t muss your own hair up. But by all means! Don’t stick around for autograph’s, shake a spot! By the way I’m older now so if push comes to shove, the eyes.

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  35. Thanks a lot, Bob & company, for these easy to learn techniques of self-defense. I have no doubt in their effectiveness! Please continue teaching us!

    Reply

  36. doing about 800 reps daily, including squats, dumbbells, plus bike. weigh 250, need some moves. age 75.🙂

    Reply

  37. doing about 800 reps daily, including squats, dumbbells, plus bike. weigh 250, need some moves. age 75.🙂

    maced one clown recently, kicked him in the nuts, then jaw, with teeth coming out like chiclets. need better moves.

    Reply

  40. I’m 61, I don’t like fighting but, thanks so much for the lesson.i am diabetic 130lbs.i am not afraid but I need to know something.

    Reply

  41. Very helpful. I just got my SIA licence. Hope I dont have to use any of these techniques but you never know.
    Thanks guys.

    Reply

  42. Thanks Bob for the self defense mini clinic.
    Getting a little older now, so been doing a free self defense class for locals over 18 in my area who must sign a disclaimer of course, without going into detail, I have been trained well, and know about the moves in the first 3 videos & teach them, however I added what I call the nose wipe, striking the individual first with the the bottom of the palm of your hand, like trying to wipe his nose off his face, used in order to then run from the fight if your not a trained fighter.

    Reply

  43. My name is John i don’t no how to fight i all ways avoid it they tell me i don’t have heart maybe there right but i don’t like to hurt anyone but there are times when I’m with my wife we encounter bullies in the streets it’s hurt’s me to see this kind of people who don’t care about hurting are love ones. I like to learn how to protect my self and my love ones

    Reply

  44. Invaluable tips. I knew about the eyes, throat, and groin, but did not realize how remarkably effective finger-manipulation could be!

    Reply

  46. I’m a black belt in modern armies.
    Thank you for showing me some extra moves.
    They will work and hurt the person that tries
    to hurt you

    Thanks again!

    Raymon McLain

    Reply

  47. Thank you for your excellent tutorials. I’m passing this information to my wife and adult children.

    Reply

  48. Very interesting. I am 67 yrs old and knew alot of this stuff but I learned a few things. I have lived a very rough life plus I have military training. Keep up the good work.

    Reply

  50. Good common sense moves. I am 65, taken karate for about 10 years but these moves are not being taught as sensei must be careful about bullies in the classes getting the wrong idea of when to use these methods. I am not that strong so these moves are perfect and not too many bad guys would expect these moves from a tiny old woman. Haha! Thank you so much for putting out these videos!

    Reply
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