Lesson Three of the Self Defense Mini Clinic

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Welcome to Lesson 3 of your Self Defense Mini Clinic. If you’ve made it this far you are leaps and bounds ahead of most guys. Believe it or not most guys can’t even make it through my Self Defense Mini Clinic let alone a real life street fight.

In this lesson we are going to talk about picking the right target and technique for every situation, and you’ll learn why total commitment is crucial if you want to win a fight.

But before we get into that here is a quick video lesson that’ll teach you something you can use right away. Please click play on the video below and let decorated Counter-Terrorism Expert (and respected hand to hand combat expert) Glen Boodry take it from there.


Target Awareness vs. Technique Focus

Understanding the difference between “target” and “tool” (technique) is an important concept that confuses many fighters and gets them hurt. Knowing where to strike (the “target”) is the key. How to strike that target is simply a matter of which “tools” you’ll choose.

The bottom line is recognizing an open target is much more important than having the best technique. Because, a sloppy punch to the side of the neck is far better than a beautifully executed high reverse round-house kick that misses the target.

You must throw away the idea that a certain punch or kick will solve your fight problem and instead embrace the concept that hitting certain “high value” targets (by ANY means), is what WINS fights quickly.

But don’t get me wrong – technique is crucial. You want that “bag o nasty tricks” in your arsenal. It’s actually comforting when you realize you’ve got BOTH bases covered – that is, you’ve got a solid understanding of an opponent’s most vulnerable targets AND an arsenal of highly effective techniques to take advantage of them. Suddenly you’re the guy walking the streets in total confidence knowing you can “take care of business” if the situation arises.

The idea is to concentrate on first things first. And the first step is to choose a target – the second is to choose which tool or technique you’ll use.

We already went over some of the best targets back in Day 1, but today I’m going to list some more of them before we talk about techniques.

Great street fighting targets: Eyes, ears, jaw, throat, solar plexus (just below the sternum), groin, inside and outside of the knee.

Those are the big ones, a well-trained fighter will look for many other targets.

What Makes A Good Fighting Technique

First off a good technique has a high damage potential. In other words if it hits its target it will cause a lot of pain or damage your attackers body. This is just common sense.

The other consideration is probability of success. This is the real kicker, because many fancy martial arts moves are devastating if they hit their target, but the chances of that happening in a street fight are slim. Let me tell you why.

You will lose fine motor skills in a fight. Only very experienced fighters are able to use fine motor skills during a conflict (were talking about Navy SEALs and other special ops soldiers).

MMA fighters are able to use fine motor skills because although the threat of getting hurt is real their chances of dying in the ring are very small. It’s the fear of death not a scuffle that gets you pumped with so much adrenaline that fine motor skills go out the window.

If you aren’t familiar with fine motor skills the following explanation will get you up to speed:

fine motor skill fight moveFine Motor Skills: These are typically complex moves that require a high degree of training to learn and continual training to maintain. Your typical martial arts class will teach you these skills. By the time you’re a black belt (which may take ten years) you’ll know all sorts of fine motor skill techniques, including flying round house kicks, flying knees, spinning back kicks, and a lot more.

When your adrenaline dumps during an attack (the “fight or flight” response hits), higher thinking processes begin to degrade and fine motor skills deteriorate big time. It’s how the sympathetic nervous system works. As heart rate goes up, fine motor skills decrease, there’s simply nothing you can do about it.

Because fine motor skills are out the window you are going to want to focus on Gross Motor Skill to take out your attacker. These are movements that utilize the larger more powerful muscles of your body.

Gross Motor Skills: These do not require a lot of complex bio-mechanical skills. Nail down a few simple kicks, head-butt, elbows, knee work, and ground moves and you’ll be on your way.

They’re based on natural movements that don’t require years to learn and they’ll stick with you even when the adrenaline is pumping.

In fact, most fights are won with these simple (but well executed) skills – mainly because you’re simply tapping into your body’s own natural movement patterns instead of forcing some overly-complex process that will often fall apart in a real fight.

Before we get into total commitment and the fighting mindset I want you to take a look at the video below. This technique is all about gross motor skills and is simple and easy to remember.


Total Commitment:

Total commitment is the mindset you must have if you are going to win a fight. And it all starts with the internal question, “am I willing to hurt this guy?”

First, it’s important that you understand that street fighting is a zero sum game. That means there’s no such thing as a “win-win” outcome. You either win or you lose… period. And losing can mean hospitalization, permanent injury or death.

Even “friendly” fights that start with a couple buddies wrestling for fun can quickly turn serious and become lethal. I’ve seen the police reports.

The smart fighters – even experienced match fighters — avoid personal combat on the streets whenever possible because they know that the “rules” are different. How? Well, unlike the ring, there are NO rules. They understand that even a “little guy” can use an improvised weapon, or get in a lucky strike for an instant knock out.

You should never resign yourself to taking a beating under the assumption that you’ll take a couple shots then lick your wounds and go home. My research has shown that one of the most popular “gang-banger” moves is “stomping” your head once you’re down. There’s no guarantee you’ll live through something like that, and if you do, that you won’t be drooling from a wheelchair for the rest of your life.

Here are some assumptions you’ve got to keep in mind for any fight that’ll help you stay totally committed in a confrontation:

    1. Zero Sum Game – There is NO potential win-win. There are thousands of “let’s step outside” kinda fights that end in permanent injury or death every year.
    2. Defeat is not a temporary set back – and it’s NOT an option. Because keeping the option open that it may be “okay” if you get a good ass beating means that you’re also okay with the possibility of permanent injury or death – or that the people you’re supposed to be protecting will be left to the mercy of your adversary.Never get comfortable with the idea that if you simply let this guy beat you up a little it’ll be better than really pissing him off by fighting back. This is why getting the first question right in your head is so important. “am I willing to hurt this person?” Not, “am I willing to fight this person?” you must be 100% committed to victory.
    3. Your adversary has NO rules. Let me tell you about an “underground” match fight I witnessed between a baby-faced “tough guy” and a hardened tattooed ex-con.This videotaped fight was supposed to require bamboo sticks and “Baby face” said, in private, he’d use his stick to break his opponent’s fingers.The ex-con (on the other hand) said, in private, his goal was to “kill” the guy. That’s it… didn’t even mention the sticks.Guess what?When the fight started and the ex-con simply threw down the stick, leaped on his opponent, and tore half his face off with his teeth. In those seconds of terror, baby-face could only scream “he’s biting me… he’s biting me… he’s not using the stick… he’s not using the stick.”Certainly an ugly… brutal… and shocking way to make my point, but unfortunately it’s all true. A real fight means NO rules. You cannot expect your adversary to show mercy or fight “honorably.”
    4. Always leave immediately. Don’t stand around “waiting to see what happens”… because winning the fight is as good as it gets – it’s all downhill from there. Get you and your family the hell out. Hanging around means there’s a good possibility you’ll be caught up in the next round of drama from friends or from citizens who might perceive you as the “bad guy” or even from the police.That doesn’t mean you’re necessarily running from the law – it’s just that you want to talk to the cops on YOUR terms – without the extra drama and confusion. Bottom line – as Navy SEAL trainer Paul Vunak points out… “Get out while you can.”

 

Dominate larger attackers with a simple (and innocent looking) “bare-handed” strike. Click here to find out how.

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337 thoughts on “Lesson Three of the Self Defense Mini Clinic”

  1. ELBOWS ARE A SOLID MOVE YOU DONT EVEN HAVE TO GO TOO FAST TO INFLICT A LOT OF PAIN ON TAGETS LIKE THE MOUTH AND NOSE

  2. I would love to learn some of the stuff you haave out onn DVD. I really wished your prices were a lil. Bit more afordable i am a disabled vet and just cant afford. Your prices so please show me that iits not about the money like you say . 503rd AIRBORNE DIV
    Thank you. For lisitenin

  3. I think your advice and tips are a great help for some of us that no one to help us in those matters. I’m 62 year old petite lady. I live alone, because of those things I look like an easy target for crooks. I do try to be aware of my surroundings n stay safe. Hearing these tips make me feel like I have better odds if I am ever attacked. Thank you

  4. Elbows are a devastating tool, I like the science about it, using fulcrums, I would have to be on the end of one of the instructors blows.respect

  5. Thank you very much. I appreciate your time and help. I have been in a few fights and I will be better prepared if another one comes up.

  6. To bad more women don’t learn these moves. Don’t have to know a lot, just one like the instructor demonstrates is adequate. Women in general don’t believe they have the strength to protect themselves. One slap to the groin will drop a man, & if the woman wants she can run away, or follow through like the instructor &I finish the scum bag off. Good technique…

  7. My favourite technique elbow strike (Empi Uchi)
    I’m not a big bloke so have to rely on hard hitting strikes that will work. This strike really does work, there are many ways I guess to deliver and the video shows a great example. It makes sense to maintain a hold on the attacker in orde to get shots on target.
    In fact, in my opinion, the elbo delivered cerrectly is so devistating serious damage to the attacker will occur. So I guess my idea of a traffic light system of escalation ,might be advisable?

  8. I have trained with Kathy long in the early eighties, in the art of San soo kungfu effective art, so just saying that studio training isn’t out dated, especially the art of San soo, Kathy has learned a lot from this art form!

  9. I enjoy the lessons but I’m curious. I’m a 65 year old disabled female who walks with a walker. Are there any defence techniques that I should be especially aware of?

  10. I love this site, most try to teach crazy shit that dont work in the real world (like catching flies chop stick style with your toes) this is good stuff that almost anybody could learn do with a little practice. nice! Instant boost to your confidence. Thank you guys.

  11. I feel that the world is rapidly becoming a dangerous place, mostly due to over population, and these survival techniques are going to be a vital necessity. I am really looking forward to the courses I have ordered, as well as the gadgets. I say gadgets, because to use the word weapon could get me compromised, as I live in the UK where defending yourself has become a crime! Law and Order here has become a sick joke, all down to the do-gooder and bleeding heart idiots who run the country. I wish you the best of luck and express my gratitude that people like you are around with common sense and the skills to back it up.

  12. Much much appriciated. It’s all about energy. I mean gonna make sure to express that potential violation hits a wall of raw power, and the out channeling of dark matter, so they don’t get entangled with the left side of ure, So they never come back. U gotta protect ure self to live another day. Thx to this excellent program. U guys are making it more clear and easy to feel secure.

  13. I’m loving this page lots of information in bit size
    Section you can understand.

    fight or dye is the name off the game.

    peace be with you.

  14. 1- Instructions are clear, simple and practical.
    2 – No wasted time.
    3 – Repetition is key to building confidence .

    Thanks! Keep it up!

  15. CAN I ORDER THE VIDEO SET? JUST SLOW MOTION TRAINING ESTABLISHES A MUSCLE MEMORY ON HOW TO ATTACK AN OPPONENT.

    IT IS A HUGE BENEFIT TO HAVE A PARTNER TO PRACTICE WITH. BUT LEARN AND CAN INCREASE FORCE PROTECTION BY TEAMING TOGETHER.

    LIKE ALL THE LESSONS.

    KUDOS TO ALL.

  16. I love it thanks for all the help going to practice the moves so it becomes muscle memory, Again thanks, please send me more moves.

  17. That one technique does not work on just men it will work on women to you break the pelvic ring.

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