Lesson Five of the Self Defense Mini Clinic

Click here to see Lesson 4.

This lesson teaches you how to train and develop the skills and principles you’ve learned and will learn in the future from Fightfast.com.

But before we dive in, check out this triangle choke hold taught by decorated soldier and former Delta Force Operator Jim West.


Training Methods:

A complete review of proper training and conditioning methods for combat is beyond the scope of this book, however, I do want to point out that the average guy looking to defend himself on the street doesn’t need to endure a lifetime of training.

On the contrary, the entire purpose of my many DVD packages is to simplify everything. I’ve received emotional letters from dozens of customers who simply watched a certain program, did NO training, and were able to recall and use it correctly when they needed it. Doesn’t get much better than that. But if you’re serious about implanting this information deeply into your body, you’ll want to consider training it.

Street fighting does not require the same level or type of conditioning as sport fighting. Surprisingly, cardiovascular endurance isn’t a significant factor in a street fight. I know this is a controversial claim, but research and 20 years of study and observation backs it up.

Remember, true street fights (as opposed to mutually agreed combat) rarely last longer than 10 seconds. Understanding and employing the 4 D’s (Deception… Distraction… Disruption… Destruction), will trump cardiovascular conditioning.

So with that in mind, having the ability to initiate and maintain continuous explosive action for 8 to 10 seconds will give you a huge advantage in a fight. Design your training accordingly.

For street fighting focus your training on anaerobic conditioning (strength and power training). Eight to ten seconds may not seem very long, but try going all out on a heavy bag for that amount of time…it’s pretty tough.

The more realistic you train the better. This includes the emotional component as well. Here are some tips:

    • 1.) Practice initiating a pre-emptive attack and counter attack from multiple positions and stances. If you practice the 4 D’s you won’t be initiating the attack from a classic boxer’s stance. More than likely your hands will be up, open, and forward in an “I don’t want any trouble” submissive posture. This is the position you want to practice launching from.

self defense training focus mit

  • 2.) Practice maintaining a constant barrage. And if training with a partner, maintain constant forward pressure. Constant Barrage is more important than Strike Accuracy. Practice Target awareness. If working on a heavy bag, imagine different targets being made available, if working with a partner, make sure he or she offers you a variety of targets to attack.
  • 3.) Practice your verbiage as you initiate an attack as well as anything you might say during the attack. Make it as real as possible. If you are working with a training partner have your partner play the part; yelling, threatening, cursing, etc. His goal should be to drive up the emotional content as much as possible.
  • 4.) Develop a “Strike” mentality – Start hitting a heavy bag. A partner with “strike mitts” is even better, because it allows you to get used to movement. Practice striking with your hands, elbows, shoulders, head, and knees and mix up “Hi-Line” shots (at the head and chest) and “Lo-Line” shots (at the stomach, ribs, groin and legs).
  • 5.) Get a “Battle Cry” – As I just discussed, this does a couple things. First it throws off your adversary for a couple of crucial seconds at the beginning of your action sequence. His brain will be burning up valuable seconds trying to process what all the yelling is about (“what the hell…”) while your attack is under way. Very effective.The second function of the battle cry is to prompt your brain into action. There’s a big difference between thinking about taking action and actually taking action, and it’s easy for most people to get “locked down” in planning. Your brain needs a kick in the butt to transfer its energy from the thinking and planning mode into the action mode.

The battle cry is a verbal “go” that’s imperative to getting yourself moving forward. It’s nothing new, soldiers have been using this for thousands of years as a way to overcome freezing and to strike fear in their enemies. But you’ll want to use this verbal battle cry in training ONLY when you launch into an attack so that it holds power and is an “internal trigger.”

The next training principle is proper execution. Few moves require better execution than weapon disarms. In the following video, you’ll learn the correct technique to disarm an attacker with a gun. A situation we all hope to god we never find ourselves in, but one where the right technique is the difference between life and death.


  • 6.) Always practice proper execution: Watching countless videos of actual street fights as they happened has only cemented what my research has already strongly suggested that real-world fighting is sloppy. It is the rare exception for a fighter to properly execute a complex martial arts move.This is why it’s important to practice proper execution as you’ll be more likely to retain a percentage of it when “crunch time” hits. As expert shooter Bennie Cooley points out, if you can group your shots with 3 inches of each other during practice, you may just retain a grouping the size of a paper plate in real combat (which is considered excellent shooting in the real world). Or as Bruce Lee once pointed out: “I do not fear the man who has practice 1000 kicks one time… I fear the man who has practiced one kick 1000 times.”But Bruce was a little off in his numbers. Studies show that it takes about 2,000 repetitions of a move before it’s actually “implanted” into your brain’s neural pathway for easy recall even under stress. Now 2,000 sounds like a big number, but it’s not. The key is to practice a move correctly.Here is a proven method for developing your skills.Level 1:
    1. Practice a move in front of a mirror slowly. This allows you to “self correct” anything you’re doing wrong. Keep practicing until you are satisfied that your technique is correct.
    2. Practice the same move in front of mirror at full speed. Again… this allows you the opportunity to self correct.
    3. Try it again… this time in slow motion with your eyes closed. You’ll want to periodically sneak a peek in the mirror to see if you’re still on track with your technique.
    4. When your satisfied with your technique, perform it at full motion with your eyes closed. This will start hardwiring the move into your muscle memory.

    Self Defense Training Heavy BagLevel 2: Get your hands on a heavy bag… they’re not expensive and the exercise value alone that you’ll receive it is worth every penny.

    1. Now practice the same move on heavy bag – slowly. Use a mirror again if you can to periodically check your technique. If you see that it’s flawed, go back to Level 1.
    2. Practice the technique on heavy bag at full speed. Try to visualize how you’d use the move on specific target areas.

    Level 3: Practice with a partner. Now I realize not all of us have someone willing to act as your punching bag, but for those who are committed to taking their skills to an expert level, having a live person to practice on is important. For any specific move you want to:

    1. Practice with partner slowly… then when you’re both comfortable….
    2. Practice with partner at full speed.

Of course this is only a brief description of how to train. The DVDs will take you through specific moves and techniques in detail. But it’s important to remember to always be careful with your partner, especially if you’re just getting started. Make sure your partner understands how to “tap-tap-tap” on your side whenever they feel uncomfortable.

Most of the moves you’ll discover are ones that can be used “straight out of the box.” They’re almost always simple, easy to learn, and devastating, so you must use care during any practice. Avoid “showing off” your new moves to unsuspecting friends or family members as it’s easy to put them in the hospital or permanently injure (even kill) them.

That’s it for the free Self Defense Mini Clinic, but don’t worry I’ll still be in touch. I’ll be sending you chapters of the full length fight guide (this Self Defense Mini Clinic was a condensed version) and video tips from my blog every week. So keep your eyes peeled for more free fighting instruction.

Interested in learning brutal self defense right away?
As a graduate of my 5 Day Course I’ve Arranged A One-Time Killer Deal For You!

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543 thoughts on “Lesson Five of the Self Defense Mini Clinic”

  1. Awesome, good pointers and information. I hope that I won’t have to use these techniques in the future , but I know them now and will be able to utilize them, hopefully correctly.

  2. Wow! Fight Fast is Freakin Awesome!! Super great fighting info from the experts around the world ! Thanks so much ! I am wearing my TRS knife 24/7 for the past year, love it!

  3. As a domestic violence survivor with the attacker on parole, I am taking these movements to heart and practicing them until they are natural to me. Although I am remarried, I still worry about if the attacker reappears. I have an enhanced carry permit that I cannot use at work. I also have pepper spray to buy me some time.

  4. I am a 68+ year old male. I do have limited mobility (walk with a crutch). Most of the movements presented here would be able for me to perform (hopefully). Thank you for the free advice – biggest thing I learned is that “in real life is nothing like what you see on TV”. Bomb first, second and third!

  5. Back in the late 70’s early 80’s I was introduced to hand to hand combat skills through a Seal 4-1/2 yrs of learning many different styles of Martial Arts not only using weapons but removing them as well..I’m currently involved in armed contract security in Jackson, Ms area..The videos have been something to add to what I’ve done and hone in on what I’m already able to do.. being 59 as I see it you never stop learning…Thank you for allowing me to view the videos…

  6. I like the the 4 Ds. What are more examples of pretending to comply then launching a series of moves one after the other then start over & repeat if necessary?

  7. Lesson 5, strategies more complex, however, much easier than alternatives that would give an equal result. The instructional videos were well developed for they were with real instructors instructing real students. This allows human error in learning to help teach the viewer what not to do as well as what to do. I can easily see these techniques working, with practice of course to improve odds of success. I would like to take this time to thank Bob Pierce and all of his associates and special guests who contributed towards the development of this lessons. with any luck, they will never need to be used in real life.

  8. This is a great move but you need to move fast once you have the upper hand to disarm your adversary.

  9. Great information. I noticed a number of people older than myself (I’m 65), posting comments. Very encouraging.
    We don’t lose our spirit just because we’re aging.

  10. I am a 70 year old man. I now believe that I have a 500% better chance of surviving an attack. The moves make so much sense and are not hard. I am working with my 40 + year old daughter to learn the techniques. I feel good that she is learning how to defend herself too. We will practice and become proficient with the moves. The 4 D’s are very important at any age let alone my age.
    The first and foremost thing I learned that in “Self Defense” you must fight to win using any means necessary. I am committed to doing what is necessary to walk away alive! Even if it means critically damaging the attacker. Thank You!

  11. At this time and day it has become very advantageous to receive this information for personal needs. THANK YOU!@!!

  12. Thanks Head Honcho, I appreciate this mini course and a sincere thank you to the ‘soldiers’ for their service. I’m female and unfortunately I’m the ‘man’ of the house. Was married once, to an aikido sensei with a penchant for nasty street moves and killing blows. The marriage rapidly deteriorated after he kingpin hit me to the lower rear cranium, I saw stars, everything went gray…I woke up some time later on the floor. Yep, I didn’t see it coming…although I give myself a break here…no wife would imagine that her husband would hide behind a door… Yep, I ignored the warning signals. To cut a long story short, i was given a very rude awakening to the existence of dirty tactics. It’s a pity this short course wasn’t available to me before I met the ex.
    Esp love all the comments from the olders’, as I hate to see them become victims of dirtbags.

  13. The technics are amazing, simple as well a great confidence builder. Being short doesn’t mean there a barriers to defending ones self I thank you. I very muck look forward to receiving my DVDs to inhance the ability of defending myself and my family. Your simple training has opened up a new way of thinking and defend. There is a definet new way of thinking about body motion and body movement both mental and physical .
    Thank you
    Dan

  14. Thank you very much for this mini self defense video. I have wanted to take a class to learn self defense but never seem to be able to afford it. These techniques are simple, easy, and effective. Thank you again and I look forward to future videos.

  15. I grew up in inner city Albuquerque. I was a trained boxer. It was of very little benefit . On streets I would also come across the gang member that studied Karate at the Y. The only thing that alot of formal traing did was leave the body open to someone that was not considered with style points , or honor. I used some of these ( not near as fluid ) just by fighting daily , and learning by them being used on me. This is a incredible compilation. I will be adding this to what I teach my family, and hope they never need it. Quick stike snd run. The fights I witnessed, the longer it lasted , only gave time for his friends to hit you – stab – runover….
    Thank you

  16. I like all that I seen here!
    I have a 1st. degree Black belt in Karate
    We did some of these moves but not all of them.
    I am now 73 years of age & can’t move as fast as I use too…

  17. Great stuff Bob. I got some of your DVDs quite a while back. Loved them. I took some training with a Bruce Lee instructor when I was 60 years old. A lot of this is some of the same moves and some new, like the pants leg move. Loved it. That’s what I like about your teaching. Simple. I’m now 76 and will be looking for more from you. Keep up the good work. And yes, the move to the outside on the disarm is accurate. If you can get that close.

  18. Good information and well explained and demonstrated. Once you have the moves well in mind don’t forget to practice, practice, practice. Howard.

  19. I am awestruck.Yout instructions are simple to the point an amazing. At probly less than a hundred pounds .Even I believe I can survive a fight.Hope it never comes to that.Outstanding

  20. My mate is a 27yro weight lifter and a very good boxer while mucking around he threw a punch at me so i used the triangle choke hold he went down so fast and easy we could not beleive it i don;t know who got the bigger shock him or me. i am 63yrs old thankyou.

  21. I used ta get my ass beat a lot when I was a younger woman I got better over time men that’d F with me would tell me I was a tough little bitch now I’m 55 don’t have people F with me but times have changed and I Refuse to be a victim learning everything I can to protect myself thanks for the help

  22. Remarkable. Thank you to each trainer. I will replay these lessons with the hope I never need them. Do you have any recommendations of anyone that may offer anything close to this as a class? My fear is not doing the moves correctly, and putting myself in more danger. I live in Baton Rouge, LA and would be interested in any recommendation close to what I have seen here. I should also mention that I am 69 years old. However, I did below to LA Boxing for 18 months and loved it. A great work out. I loved the hard bag and hitting my trainer’s mitt the best. Floor exercises were not for me.

  23. Awesome techniques that works and thanks to Fightfast for their concerns for civilian lives in today’s world of anything can happen to us any given time or moment! Thanks Bob for the hard work,and the great instructors that took the time to put together videos to demonstrate street protection not some bullcrap about what if?

  24. I total loved all of the five lessons . I have taken 3 different martial arts never achieving my black belt , but nonetheless giving me great self confidence . Though not a big guy 5’7″ in my hood punks no better then messing with me. But I have always wanted to learn what only the black belts learn . Right now I am in the hospital with a broken arm . Not working. As soon as possible I would love to own all of your dvds. My motto is strike first, strike fast, strike hard, strike last!!!

    50yrs old and never stop kicking !
    Jay March Aloha!

  25. I thank you so much for sharing this information with me and I’ll start practicing it and I’ll be telling everyone about it and your a great person and man to put this in the hands of all ages to help develop the right way to defend yourself God bless you all I’ve been looking for this stuff for a long time now and now that I found you all I have what I’ve been looking for and I’ll be able to defend me and my family and am looking forward to the rest of the program that’s coming to me and really enjoyed the 5 videos they were great and I didn’t think about all you show me and now I’m going to put it into action and start put it together and start practicing it to get proficient at using it and thanks for letting me see it and God bless you all for what you’re doing for all us that needs help with taking care of are family’s God Bless and God be with you all

  26. Excellent training and methods along with skill to have in a World that is “Sure Gone Crazy!” Thank you and God Bless you!

  27. I liked all of the lessons they are what I wanted no nonsense moves I am to old to be learning kung fu and karate and all that stuff like you say I just want to able to stop anyone harming me or mine.

  28. Great training videos. One can see just by the application of the moves that they are simple, easy to learn, and easy to apply and execute. Instructors were professional and easy to understand. Outstanding training for people with and without fighting skills.

  29. THANKS from my heart to all you guys. I’m 66 years old and have just had open heart surgery 6 months ago. I can use these techniques even while recovering. They are great and easy to learn. I thank God for getting me turned on to your videos.

  30. Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve bear in mind your stuff previous to and you are simply extremely fantastic. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which wherein you assert it. You are making it enjoyable and you continue to take care of to keep it smart. I cant wait to learn far more from you. That is really a terrific website.

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