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. I was a Golden Gloves Boxer for 4 years in high school, and I learned a lot of defensive skills…. That is a good sport, but it is not an effective skill by it’s self in today’s street scene. I thought the short video presentations were very good and easily understood.

    Reply

  2. I am 62 and of failing health. 4 years ago I could pass for 30 and could outwork 3 34 year olds all day long. I am getting weaker by the day for some reason the doctors do not know. My flesh is deteroriating quickly so is my strength. My ability to keep my balance worries me and I have had some bad falls, luckily no breaks.
    Why I am interested in your program…in August 2013, I had my purse stolen in a restaurant, with all my business cards which said my business address. My office keys, alarm, and all were in it. So was my drivers license with my home address & checks & credit cards.
    3 days later, a lady was killed 4 doors down from my office between 2:30 to 5:30 in the afternoon while she wast there by herself preparing for market. The police say she was killed a weird way, very bloody and brutally.
    2 1/2 weeks later I was at home and went around the corner and came back 45 minutes later at 4:30 pm and found my door knob torn out hanging about 2 inches out of the hole. Thankfully the deadbolt was sticking and they could not get it open with my keys.
    I am an empath, and felt the lady was choked as well. When I told the policeman he agreed that was one of the ways she was killed. I can’t sleep at home any more, or work well at my office.
    Now…to get to the point. How would I be able to use your techniques to protect myself if someone had a gun, knife or club?
    I would work all night many times there at my office on deadline for shows.
    I do not feel safe there any more, even in the day time. It effects my work even and how I greet my new customers there.
    I hope you have techniques for someone weaker that can protect themselves without much strength.
    One lady that works for me for 15 years now, is so stooped over with arthritis and can hardly move. I need to know how someone like her can defend herself.
    Sorry to bore you with details, but danger has hit close at home.

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  3. I would like to thank whoever sent this to my e-mail. I am 75 years old, 4’10” tall, on oxygen, have a bad heart and extremely near-sighted. If I lose my glasses, I can’t see more than 8 inches away. I know that I am vulnerable and have been looking for defensive techniques. I hope that I would never need any of this, but — Many thanks.

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  5. as a qigong practitioner, (for my own health adn that of my friends) i can understand why and whtthe moves will do. of course, even though qigong was deve;o[ed into kung fu, i have never wanted to put then together untill i saw these videos. i will be waiting till tomorrow to receive my next session. being over 65 really helps me to have a great appreciation of these lessons. thank you, ron

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  6. Two of the videos stood out to me more than any of them. Video #7 and the one with the Israeli combat soldier. For a lady to be able to defend themselves tickles me “pink”. One thing about the lady tells me than she shows no mercy. It thrilled me to see one with a lady in it.
    Since I love the nation of Israel, the soldier showing their fighting techniques is amazing. So simple that a child could learn it. I just hope this does not get into the hands of their enemies. Great videos.

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  7. One thing I can attest too…. If you are ever pushed….DO NOT PUSH BACK…you will immediately get punched in the face. If pushed….immediately strike the highest percentage target.

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  9. As a older man 59yrs I am aware my reactions are getting slower and although I have never been in a fight since high school I am very aware that this could change at anytime. This information is very informative. Thanks.

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  10. This is great stuff. In the past I have learned about how to get a punch in, and how to catch an attacker off guard; but what happens when I–at 160 pounds–manage to connect a closed fist to the side of the head of a man who outweighs me by 50 pounds? 100 pounds? He doesn’t go down! If I am lucky I won’t break my fingers! That is why this material is so great. When you connect ..it is beyond brutal! This stuff is not a joke. I have to be man enough to only use this information for self protection of myself and others.

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  12. Hello Bob! This is all very interesting and worth putting some practice into. However I’ve had a half century in the Japanese school. I hold Black Belts in both Judo and Karate.Since I’ve competed and taught these arts all of these years and since we have been trained to execute any move in 1/20 of a second, I think my natural repertoire would be my 1st. “move”. I do feel and know you’ve also got great stuff. Definitely won’t hurt to practice a few of these moves and get them up to speed! Thanks for these tips though! After all knowledge is POWER!!!! And understanding is VICTORY!

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  13. Thank you very much. This will help me take care of myself and anyone with me. I’m old and slow but not afraid of anyone. Thanks

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  15. Thanks for the basic and easy step by step moves. this well get easier and better once more practiced and make it second nature. I think all men and women should have some sort of training in self defence todays living. with all the fighting going on in Sudan, DRC, CAR, Afghanistan. we will never know when it is our country or some one trying to intrude your house. Thanks again Bob.

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  16. I hope I can review these five over and over again. I got the CD and will now have to take each one at a pace to memorize them in my old age 🙂 These are straight forward, and I really am impressed with the “cut to the quick” movements that do not take years to learn. I really appreciate what you have put together. One thing that is on my mind is how to teach some of these to the disabled and figure out which ones can work for them. I personally liked the pants one.

    The guys showing techniques in the video are very muscular. I would like to see how the average woman could use these techniques on the larger guys.

    Thank you very much for this series.

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  17. Hi Bob. Thank you so much for these videos. I think a lot of us can honestly agree that these lessons are a major boost in peoples confidence, self esteem, and peace of mind, knowing that they can look after themselves, they’re loved ones, and anyone that may be at a disadvantage, or outnumbered in a fight. For me personally, I generally just like helping people. It is definitely an area I excel in. These lessons just enhance, and reinforce another area in my life that allow me to keep helping others. So thank you again you guys. I’ll be sure to pass on the word to others who are likeminded as myself. The Reindeer.

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  18. ncient chinese form extant today probably burned in a fire that hit a storage site by lighting in1953. Excellent for overseas,the street,home with 4 brothers and friends coming in and out as well the more baser of society. From street to [prison techinrs and the ranger as well special forces miliyaryt and taucht me as i grew as well add on the Navy too. AS Skilled as ONE CAN BE STREET OR IN A JUNGLE THE OTHER PERSON THINKS DIFFERENT THAN YOU. then they do that stuff day in out from birth to death over their budda even on the streets.Think first act a knife to your throat means to kill them not say hi please dont hurt me. its all i care to tell but true enough I sit here today.

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  20. Great stuff…..I’ve been a musician all my life and half of my gigs over the years have been in bars, nightclubs, and places where, as you rightly state,
    booze, drunks and women have produced some wild and wooly fights. Now , as an older gentleman, who’s not as agile as in my younger days, your info is much appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Ed

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  22. Two years ago, I was taken to the hospital with pneumonia and 5 days later sent home on oxygen. Until this point in my life, I felt confident about being able to defend myself.

    Number One: Don’t put yourself into a position where you do have to defend yourself.

    Presently, I am on SSI-Disability, and cannot reasonably do much to be able to defend myself. This is the reason I looked into this. I am glad that I did.

    Thank you for assisting me with the knowledge.

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  24. Me and my son practiced the moves from the video sent to us,,,thank you they are very helpful and we will be practicing these moves daily so that it becomes natural. Thank you thank you thank you!

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  27. THE NECK JAB LOOKS LIKE IT WOULD DO THE TRICK AS FAR AS DIABELING THE PERSON SO AS TO LEAVE THE SCENE QUICQLY .HOWEVER i AM DISABELED (FUSED LEFT HIP)WHICH MEANS I MOVE VERY SLOW! SO THE NECK JAB HAD BETTER TOTALLY STOP THE PERSON ,IF NOT I WILL END UP AT THE HOSPITAL!!!!!HOPE IT WORKS GOOD???

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  28. I didn’t get my “quick test” score, so I’m assuming I did well, but I might have cheated since I have a bit of prior training, but I’m getting older and had to make sure I’m not rusty, because unfortunately I’ve had to use said training, but I was the one who walked away, not the aggressor. Can’t wait to receive the daily tips which will no doubt be great refresher for me, but I will say…when these techniques are practiced, settled, and solidly known, it becomes instant reaction and instinct. Stay frosty, it’s a crazy world we live in.

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  30. Love your blogs and emails. Lots of good info. With this training, when baddies creep up on me at gas station at night, they’ll regret it and I’ll get away with my skin intact. Good outcome!!!

    Women can kick butt when necessary to protect self, home and family!!! Even when we’re nearing 60 years old as I am. Even while wearing dresses, high heals and painted fingernails. Girls rule!!!

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  32. I always spend the time to read the comments section of any website – it is always illuminating!
    3 things struck me here:

    1. The wishful thinking of the posters – especially the old and severely(!) disabled ones.

    2. The average poster is VERY old.

    3. The extraordinary number of encounters so many people report. (Imagination? Or where they live!)

    I am now ancient. I spent many years learning to control my emotional reactions in life, business and martial arts.
    I WAS a dangerous fighter on two grounds – one I liked it, two, because I had *naturally* extremely fast reflexes.

    The material offered on this Site is first-class. It is keyed to being valuable to the non-combatant normal person.
    Even for a gun carrier, it is great stuff for your self-confidence AND as a backup.

    But my three key memories I would like to pass on to all are:
    that you need to be like the True Alchemist -always threatened for simply existing (nothing like the common belief about Alchemy).

    First, always “feel” your surroundings. Just be aware of signs around you – and keep your weapon/s ready.

    Second, always know where your exits are. Not just in case of fire, but the “smoke” of dangerous situations.

    Third, be aware of your own age, condition and reality. In the event of facing more than one attacker, only Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee have a chance and that was in movies!

    Because of the nature of street criminals, they ARE cowards and always look for an easy target. Don’t look like one. Look at them, size them up.

    Get and carry a gun. Go through a specialist self defence organisation. ( like this one is allied to).
    Make your gun your hobby. (The best advice you will ever get.) NOTHING builds confidence better than a gun!

    If you can’t or won’t get a gun for some reason, (difficult in Oz or England but easy if in a gun club), learn to carry a VISIBLE weapon if you are in a bad zone that you can’t avoid.

    A baseball bat is the ideal non-gun defensive weapon. Even a 67 y.o. can look and be – extremely dangerous just carrying one.
    But you should practise with it, anyway – it’s great exercise for mind and body.

    Note: There is little that looks more threatening than someone who is smiling, carrying a Baseball bat and tapping it in their palm. ( It is a “club” and clubs are ingrained in our primitive genetic memories).

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  33. I have been dealing with the loss of my daughter to cancer and a computer that has screwed up my receiving and reading emails. The info is wonderful! I do have a CCW permit but hope I NEVER have to use it. Plus, it would take time to get to a gun. Hands are free and ready to fight back if needed. Thank you from an older adult!!!

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  34. I am an Australian male born 1979, 179cm tall (5 foot 8) & 68Kg (150 pound). That makes me quite small compared to my brother operators. However when it comes down to it, I find my size or lack of size does not make a difference in hand to hand combat. In fact, if a much lager aggressor is dumb enough to stand over me, it puts me in a position with a distinct advantage. It wasn’t always like this though, as a young boy I found I was getting picked on regularly because I was small and made for an easy target. These bullies were obviously gutless but at the time I lacked any confidence to do anything about it, and the age old line “pick on someone your own size” never worked. After a horrific incident in my younger years where I absolutly snapped one day while being pushed and kicked and ended up paralising a boy from my school. I decided that I needed to learn how to fight properly and learn how to control my anger which was building rapidly. So many years of being pushed were vented in one foul swoop and unfortunalty for the boy who just happened to be the closest one to me at the time, he never walked again. I couldn’t believe what I had just done, and in my fit of rage I couldn’t and still cannot understand how. I still feel remorse for that boy, and the only way I can justify it to myself is that it wouldn’t of happened if he didn’t feel the need to attack me.
    Fast forward to many years later, after spending most of my time studying many different forms of self defence and disciplining myself to be the best I can be. I came across a book called the Tao of Jeet Kune Do, which changed everything for me. Everything I had learned suddenly became background music, and it was clear to me that my arsenal of fancy fight moves were for the most part fairly useless against a street thug who’ll fight dirty every time. When you’re in an uncontrolled environment and someone is hell bent on hurting you, there is no such thing as fair, no such thing as rules. Just you and him, or you and them, and self preservation should be your priority. If this means putting your attacker in hospital or worse, then so be it, because make no mistake about it, this is what they intend to do to you.
    That is why I really like what you’ve done with your website and your exceptionally cheap DVD’s. You have given people confidence and skills that could very well save their lives. I have relatives with young daughters whom I have purchased these DVD’s for and I am quite sure that at one point in their lives or another, they will come across a situation where they’ll be glad I did. Thank you fightfast.com
    One can uphold the highest code of morals, principles and ethics. But if their enemies don’t, It’s time to fight fire with fire. You must truly fear naught but God.
    So from the little Aussie bloke, thanks mate! and God Bless America

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  35. Thanks for the emails and the gathering of defensive tactics from the many sources. It is sad to think that every time we go out, or just staying in our own homes, there are those who would seek to prey on us for some reason or no reason at all. Although I realize that no means of self-defense is totally foolproof, I strongly believe that in any situation, some defense is better than no defense at all.

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  39. An experienced street fighter is usually a boxing fan. So you are not likely to strike his adams apple because his chin will be down like the boxers he idolizes. I think solar plexis is a much better target.
    A solid punch there will have the attacker gasping for air and I understand its very painful.

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  42. What can I say awesome new bit this stuff but magic hands no but love it, I’m getting on 58 disabled but I still will not take shit from anyone, I live in the Philippines by choice. Born to bewild born to be free. Wear a Mohawk hair cut so bit wild. Hahaha keep up the info hope don’t need it for there sakes, along with what I already know.

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  43. As a retired police officer of 38 years, I know there is no such thing as a fair fight on the street. You have to win. These tectonics may get you sewed for excessive force. They may even get you arrested. The one thing you must remember is that you are in a fight for your life. Say nothing to the police except that you want to talk with your lawyer before you talk with them. Get names of witnesses if you can. Stay safe and be aware of your surroundings. Carry if you can. Know fear and how to funnel it to aggressiveness. Think about the situations that you may come to. Place them in your mind to what you will do and practice on a dummy. Mark the areas on the dummy for throat, solerplex and the balls on men, with women in gangs use the legs to put them down.

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  45. I’ve never once in my life seen a “fair” street fight which came to a decisive conclusion. They just fizzle out. The ones I’ve seen which got “ended” (meaning some one is KO’d or worse) involved a sucker punch or a gang attack.

    I think I’ve discovered the best self-defense method known to man.

    1–Try to avoid fights. Really try. Be nice to people. Be tolerant.

    2–If you’re outnumbered expect to be the victim of a gang assault. (you can’t win)

    3–If you see a fight is inevitable: look scared & throw a sucker punch.

    If you appear weak step 3 is especially effective because looking scared is easier.

    As far as training goes: LIMIT YOUR TRAINING TO RAPID & BRUTALLY EFFECTIVE PUNCHES.

    If you study karate, for instance, the time you spend learning to dance while kicking imaginary opponents & bowing will not help at all in a real fight. Time spent on the heavy bag–jab/cross/hook/uppercut–can change everything.

    Even if you’re not very big or strong or a natural athlete with enough practice you can learn to throw a very hard, fast & effective punch. Concentrate on that. I’m not too big, have little natural athletic ability & no killer instinct but I’ve rendered harmless, guys I couldn’t last 15 seconds with in a fair fight.

    Because of my small stature & soft face they were confident I’d be an easy target. I encouraged them to grow more over-confident by acting even more scared than I really was– & then launching the pre-emptive right cross I’ve practiced about one-quarter million times.

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  46. Thank you! I am handicapped and must walk with canes, which are not effective up close. Attackers usually go for the canes. So obviously close quarter combat is necessary. A few well used techniques in my case saves me from harm. Unfortunately this has happened on several occasions. It is like the school bully picking on the smallest and weakest. Thanks for the moves.

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  47. I do not wish to reveal my real name.( For personal Reasons )

    Similar to some of the viewers that have commented , I am 60 years of age.
    A few days ago,I was physically threatened a +- 26 Person, bigger and taller than me. I did not feel scared. If he had grabbed me I would have slapped both of his ears as hard as possible.

    I am so very glad that I have been reading this and watching the Instructional Videos.

    In particular, I always knew that the Ear Slap is a very powerful technique. I have always thought that the palm of the hand is used. Now I see why the hand is cupped. On contact with the ear of the attacker, this will create a very sharp increase in air pressure on the Ear Drum,similar to a Fighter Aircraft creating a Sonic Boom at low altitude.

    Maybe if both ears of the attacker are slapped at the same time, the result will be even more deadly.

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  49. Ok, These are all great but I only have one arm. Had to adapt but most of these moves require two arms mobility, any idea’s. If you could train me and show a one arm guy on top you would really have a marketing tool. No one could question its effective. Any Idea’s???

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  50. On the Trachea strike-
    If the attacker in question has studied any Filipino or Indonesian art at all, he will check when he punches, turning your punch against you, and make it useless, and hurt you.

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