Street Fight Academy
Street Fight Academy
Street Fight Academy
Alex Lorenzo
Disclaimer
Please note that this book and it's contents are for
Personal Use Only. No part of this book may be used
or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without
written permission.
Do not attempt to resell, distribute, or copy this
book or it's contents in any fashion.
Attention: The contents of this guide are provided for informational and
entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the results of any fight and
do not take legal responsibility for any damage or injury that results.
By purchasing, you agree that you use this information at your own risk,
please be smart. The information provided is for self defense only.
Alex Lorenzo
Table of Contents
Introduction
An introduction to street fighting
Stand Up Combat
Hand to hand striking, stand-up combat, and grappling
Ground Combat
Ground combat, grappling, and submissions
Dirty Fighting
Devastating illegal moves for life threatening scenarios
Weapons
Learn how to use common objects as deadly weapons
Training
Learn what to expect in a real street fight, step by step
Conclusion
Final conclusions and tips
4
5
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12
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76
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Alex Lorenzo
Introduction
If you're reading this book it's probably because you'd like to learn how to
defend yourself on the street in every day life. The world is a ruthless
place and no matter how hard you try to avoid it, you're probably going to
get into a physical confrontation at some point. While most people will tell
you that avoiding a fight is best way to go, it's not always possible. There
will be times that fighting is your only option, and you'll want to be ready
when that happens.
While traditional martial arts disciplines are great exercise and can teach
you to fight in a controlled environment, many of them are nothing like a
real life fight. The vast majority of martial arts are performed more as a
sport and dance than real fight training. Most people who practice martial
arts will never even spar or practice these methods against another person.
While any type of self defense training is better than none, this is not going
to help you much in a real street fighting scenario.
This guide will cover three of the most realistic fighting styles, and isolate
the most important moves from each to help you be prepared for a real
fight scenario. In addition, it will also include some dirty techniques that
are not allowed in any traditional fighting style or cage fight, but SHOULD
be used in a life threatening situation. I'll also show you some mental
techniques that will help you be prepared should such a situation arise.
While your basic bar brawl or street fight is fairly common, it's important to
note that the overwhelming majority of people have no fighting experience
or training whatsoever. Any type of training is going to put you at a huge
advantage over the average person in your common bar fight or
confrontation. They may be bigger or stronger than you, but if you're
trained to fight and they aren't, you're still at an advantage. That said, I
encourage people to avoid dangerous situations if at all possible, especially
if you are outnumbered or in serious danger of being maimed or killed.
If you're ready to step up your confidence and learn how to handle yourself
in a real life street fight, go ahead and turn to the next page.
Alex Lorenzo
Alex Lorenzo
aren't getting back up. This mistake can turn into a potentially deadly
situation and opens you up to a surprise attack to the back of the head.
Main Differences Between a Real Fight and a Sport Fight
In sport combat you do not fight with bare knuckles. Wearing gloves allows the
striker to attack many areas that would be damaging with bare knuckles.
This also decreases the amount of force you can strike with without damaging
your knuckles. In a real street fight you'll need to be conscious of this and
utilize strikes with your palms, knees, and elbows. Throwing punches in a real
fight near a hard surface can easily lead to a broken hand.
Going to the ground and going into guard is very common and actually
preferred by many MMA fighters. This is a very bad idea in a real street fight.
Going to the ground in a real fight opens you up to being stomped by multiple
opponents or injured by the hard ground. A takedown and submission can be
very effective in a street fight, but you need to be very aware of whats going
on before attempting it or you can get seriously hurt.
Also note that throwing an opponent into the ground on a hard surface can be
potentially fatal. A strong force to the back of the head is the most common
cause of death in fight and it's almost always caused by someone hitting their
head on the ground. If this happens, you could wind up in jail, so be aware.
In cages fighting the fighters are often taught to move slowly into a submission
to allow the opponent a chance to tap out. You will likely not have that option
in a street fight. If you're in a life or death situation, you'll want to submit
them as quickly as possible and move on, possibly to the next attacker.
In sport combat, fighters will often take shots and back up in an effort to size
up their opponent. They do this to get a better read on their defense while
conserving energy. You will often see them toss jabs or kick combos and back
away. This is also done on the ground where the attacker breaks the guard and
simply stands up. In a real fight, if you throw a punch you better be ready to
commit. Swing first, and swing hard is my motto. If you land a strike or take
an opponent down, take advantage because you might not get another chance.
Alex Lorenzo
Alex Lorenzo
Boxing is the most representative of a common fist fight. Most fights begin,
and often end, with punches being thrown. The average bar brawler
probably knows nothing about boxing and will opt for the common
roundhouse punch (haymaker). Someone trained in boxing will easily be
able to defend and defeat this type of attacker. To learn the basics of
boxing, read the Boxing Basics section of the program. Later on, we will
cover the most important parts that you will need in a real street fight.
Jiu Jitsu is the second most common type of fighting style in a real life
fight. Jiu Jitsu is the most common type of martial arts used in MMA and
cage fighting, because clinching is so common in fighting. This fighting
style is centered around grappling and submissions and is sometimes
referred to as submission wrestling. After the initial strikes are thrown in a
common street fight, the next logical step in the fight is grappling. The
common bully will likely opt for your basic headlock, but a trained fighter
will easily be able to escape this and retaliate with a brutal guillotine that
will likely end the fight right there. Check the Jiu Jitsu Basics section of
the program to learn the basics and later on we will cover the most
important moves for use in a street fight.
Finally, we have Muay Thai. Muay Thai is a very old form of martial arts
that combines elements of boxing, kick boxing, and grappling. It's a very
well rounded fighting style and a lot of the techniques overlap the moves in
boxing and Jiu Jitsu. Muay Thai, however, is well known for its brutal
elbow and knee strikes. It's a good addition to any good self defense
arsenal and can end a fight quickly if used properly. Read the Muay Thai
basics section to get an overview. Later in this book we will go over the
common moves used in street fighting.
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Alex Lorenzo
24.
25.
26.
Many of these moves can maim, disfigure or even kill someone. When in a
real life fight, you need to act with aggression, but be intelligent enough to
know when and where to use them, and more importantly, when to stop.
Some factors you need to consider when deciding if it's a life or death
situation:
Your Location
If you're in a crowded area or near one, you need to carefully consider your
options. If you can get help, do it. Chances are, someone will come to
your aid or alert someone who can. Using lethal force on someone in a
crowded bar or party is most likely going to get you arrested. These
situations rarely become life or death scenarios since there should be a
crowd of people there to break it up. Don't be afraid to defend yourself if
attacked, but don't go immediately for a bone breaking joint lock or an eye
gouge. Those will almost certainly land you with an assault charge if
people determine it was unwarranted. A good choice here would be a quick
jab or ankle pick followed by a choke to subdue them until help arrives.
If you're in a dark alley and a mugger attacks you, forget about your ethics.
In this case your life is almost certainly in danger and you should use any
and every means necessary to immobilize the attacker. If possible, talk
your way out of it, or run and get help. If escaping is not an option, you
should be using the most devastating moves in your arsenal, and weapons if
needed. In this case a kick to the groin and/or a strike to the back of the
head are fair game and should be used if it will enable you to save yourself
or your loved ones.
Weapons
If you get attacked with any type of a weapon, no matter the situation, use
lethal force. The use of a weapon is life threatening and nobody will
challenge that. Obviously, if you can escape the situation, do it. Fighting
someone with a weapon is an extremely dangerous situation and should be
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avoided at all costs. If it's not avoidable, you'll want to seriously injure
your opponent until they are completely immobilized. A strike to the
throat or an eye gouge are completely necessary. You also have free reign
to use weapons in this situation as well, so keep that in mind.
Size of the Threat
The size of the threat basically means how physically threatened you are.
This most often comes down to two things; the number of attackers, and
the size of the attacker(s). If threatened by a large attacker, don't be
afraid. The size of the opponent is not nearly the most important factor in
a fight. However, you should note that if a 300lb line backer threatens to
physically harm you, nobody is likely going to convict you of assault for
defending yourself with any and all means necessary. This also goes for the
number of attackers. If three men are threatening you, you should be using
the most harmful moves you have. I'm talking about groin kicks, gouges,
forceful takedowns, and even weapons.
The main take away here is that you should always look at the situation
through a 3rd person perspective. Consider if a group of onlookers (or a
jury) would consider the situation life threatening. If the answer is yes,
then it's no rules and you should be doing anything necessary to physically
harm and neutralize your attacker. If the answer is no, then you need to
carefully choose which strikes and moves you use. There is nothing wrong
with defending yourself, but don't get carried away and wind up in jail with
an assault charge, or worse, manslaughter. It can and does happen, so be
aware and assess every situation with a clear head.
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Alex Lorenzo
Deception can be verbal or physical. For example, tell him you dont want
any trouble while locating good targets to strike. Raise your hands up in a
manner of submission so that they are up in front of your shoulders and
face with open palms. Hell think youre in a submissive position, but in
reality your hands are ready for action.
As you're looking him in the eye telling him you don't want any trouble,
unleash the fury and begin your attack. Striking first is absolutely critical as
I stated earlier. It may not be politically correct, but it's completely
necessary if you want to walk away uninjured.
Distraction
The human brain can't easily focus on more than one thing at a time. This
has been well documented. The good news is that you can take advantage
of this little fact by distracting your opponents attention away from you
and freely make your move while he is off guard. It's important that you
have an immediate follow up plan, however, since distractions generally
only work for a second or two. If you don't act quickly, it will be a waste.
A few examples of possible distractions are flipping a cigarette in their
face, dropping loose change on the floor, throwing your drink in their face,
or really tossing any object toward their eyes.
Be prepared to act the instant you gain a distraction.
Stay on Offense
What this means is acting decisively, ruthlessly, and without hesitation.
Once you make your move, you're committed and can't change your mind.
Your attacker began his attack thinking he could dominate, control and
humiliate you. Show him quickly and decisively that this will end very badly
for him. Get him worried about his own well being. Once you start your
attack, don't stop. Stay on the offensive at all times.
Alex Lorenzo
Alex Lorenzo
Your typical fight will start off with some sort of confrontation. It might be
you bumping into somebody, saying the wrong thing, or just some drunk
bully who feels like acting tough. In any case, it will start out with what I
like to call the Pre-Fight.
Pre-Fight
The beginning of any fight will start with someone making aggressive or
threatening verbal or physical moves towards you. Most times it will be a
verbal attack in an attempt to size you up and see how easy of a victim you
may be.
The first thing you need to master for a street fight is the mental attitude.
You may think that fights are purely physical, but that's not even close to
true. Having the right mindset and knowing what to expect puts you at a
huge advantage in any fight. In fact, if you have your mental game down,
many fights won't even happen. The average person, when confronted with
verbal or physical threats, will have no idea what to do. Even trained black
belts often lose fights because they have no idea how to respond in a real
life altercation. They have been trained extensively to fight, but always in
controlled and predictable environments.
To survive a street fight, you've got to become aware of your surroundings.
Take a look around. Note of the size and number of attackers, where you
are, bystanders, exits, anything you can. You should be able to gauge how
dangerous the situation really is. If you're in a crowded area, you're likely
not in a life threatening situation. If you're in a dark alley, you probably
are. Obviously, you'll need to react differently to each situation. It's very
important to keep cool and calm, despite the fact that it's a very high
adrenaline situation. Adrenaline is good, but it also can cloud your thinking
and cause you to make irrational moves. It's this high stress situation that
causes most people to completely forget all their training and wind up
getting knocked out by an obvious and predictable attack.
The most important part of the mental game is actually knowing when
you're in a fight. It may seem obvious, but it's really not. It's actually a very
common mistake among novice fighters to deny that youre even in a fight.
A fight doesnt start when you get punched in the face, it starts when your
intuition tells you somethings wrong.
Alex Lorenzo
Let's say youve got some pissed off drunken linebacker screaming
profanities in your face. Its very difficult to make quick decisions in this
scenario. Your bodys natural responses during a high stress situation is to
drain blood away from the brain and into the muscles, which makes it very
hard to think clearly. This is why most martial artists forget all their dojo
training and end up getting rocked by a simple haymaker.
The easiest way to get around this is to plan out your triggers and decisions
ahead of time. This will help make your decisions more automated and
easier to make under stressful conditions.
It's EXTREMELY important that you create a list of decision points right now,
so that you don't need to figure it out at a time when your thinking is
blurred by adrenaline. The purpose is to simplify your decision making
process.
The main idea here is to know when it's on.
Way too many guys choose to ignore the fact that they're in a fight until its
too late. Afterward, they might claim they had no idea what was going on.
In reality, there are almost always two major signs that a fight is about to
happen.
1. Body Language
2. Verbal Tip Offs
Lets dive deeper into each:
Body Language
These are non-verbal, but clear signals. Its very common for the average
guy to ignore these obvious signals. Theres a number of tells that
indicate an imminent attack on you. These are unintentional ways of your
opponent telling you I'm about to hit you.
Looking Away: Just before that all too common right haymaker is thrown,
your opponent will commonly look to one side. Its a sort of distraction
technique (which we recently discussed). If you see this, watch your left
and be prepared for a right haymaker. It happens almost without fail. A
quick jab is another way to counteract this.
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Poking: Someone poking you in the chest is a serious red flag. Hes testing
your limits by violating your personal space. Any violation of your personal
space at the beginning stages of a confrontation should trigger immediate
action.
Shoving: Your opponent isn't likely going to push you and then walk away.
This common move is almost always immediately followed by a punch. Be
sure that you decide beforehand what you're going to do if and when this
happens, because youll probably have no time to decide during the
confrontation. It's almost guaranteed that the old right Haymaker is coming
your way. Train yourself to watch your left side.
The Gaze: People naturally look at something before they strike it. Watch
out if your opponent changes his gaze to your chin or other obvious target.
Dropping the Chin: Another obvious tell that should prompt you into a
decision is seeing your opponent drop his chin. This is a subconscious act of
protecting the neck and usually means they are about to strike.
Getting Hit: This should go without saying, but incredibly, many people still
won't believe they are in a fight after getting hit. They know something
happened, they may suspect theyve been hit by the angry drunk guy
staring them down, but for some reason they can't believe it really
happened. That is, until they get hit again. If you even suspect youve
been hit, take immediate action, whether its running away going for an
aggressive strike or takedown.
Verbal Tip Offs
This is the second major indicator that trouble is on its way. Here are two
common verbal tip offs that you should be watching for:
Threats: I'm going to kill you! This may seem too obvious to even
mention. But I wouldnt mention it if my research didnt show that most
inexperienced fighters still do nothing even in the face of serious verbal
threats. They stand there and do not respond at all. A bully or attacker will
often use verbal threats as a way to jack up his confidence and emotions
right before he attacks. This means things are likely escalate very quickly.
Think through various scenarios and what would trigger you into action.
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The Silent Treatment: If your opponent has been trash talking and jaw
jacking, but then suddenly becomes quiet, it means hes entered into an
internal dialog on what hes about to do. This is a clear cut sign that he's
planning to attack, soon. He's likely looking for a target, and will shortly be
throwing a haymaker directly at it.
Planning Your Trigger Points
You should decide, in advance, what will trigger immediate response from
you. Define them for yourself, as it's different for everyone. The idea is to
program an automatic response into your brain based on common visual and
verbal cues.
Automatic Response
Once you've planned out your preset trigger points, theres no longer a need
to think about it. If a certain trigger is tripped you dont have to think
twice. The decisions already been made for you. This is extremely
important, as your decision making will be very clouded due to stress and
adrenaline.
You should know that some triggers may not hold up in court. Someone
accidentally bumping into you should not be a trigger. If they flip you off or
call you an asshole and keep walking, that probably shouldn't be a trigger
either. You should plan very specific trigger points, and ignore all others.
This allows you to make decisive decisions and never regret those decisions.
The best part about a trigger is that it lets you fully engage when the time
comes. There is no hesitation, no second guessing. The decision has
already been made for you. The reason most people, including martial
artists, lose in street fights is because they get nervous, emotionally jacked
up, or scared, and they blank out. They hesitate, they fumble, and before
you know it they are on the ground.
When your trigger points get triggered, you attack. In all other cases, you
walk away. It's as simple as that. In any sport, combat or other, there is
always a game plan. Those who execute their game plan are the ones who
win. This is no different.
Alex Lorenzo
First Strikes
Once the first strikes take place, you're officially in a fight. This is where
your boxing training will come in handy. If you made the first move and
connected, you're already at a huge advantage. Your opponent is likely
disoriented and off balance. DO NOT give them a chance to recover. From
here you should be delivering a series of attacks to keep the advantage.
Like we discussed earlier, keep forward pressure. Stay on the offensive at
all times.
Many times they will go down after the first strike. If not, you have several
options. If the fight is one-on-one, you may want to go for a tackle, trip, or
takedown. If they have friends around, you won't want to be on the
ground. In the case of a fair fight, you'll want to keep attacking to keep
them off balance, or go for a takedown. Don't let them recover. Keep
them in shock so that they have no time to counteract.
If you didn't land the first strike, you're probably at a disadvantage.
Hopefully you haven't been hit already, but if you have, you know it's on.
Your opponents first move was more than likely a right haymaker. Hopefully
you watched your left as we discussed earlier and were able to dodge it. If
this is the case, they should be momentarily off balance. Take this
opportunity to strike. Go for a high value target and strike hard. I'm
talking about the groin, neck, solar plexus, whatever it takes. They've
already attempted to hurt you, you have free reign to do what it takes to
defend yourself. A trip or takedown may also be effective here although
you generally don't want to be on the ground.
If the attack has already hit you, you'll likely be dazed. You'll want to
immediately get out of striking range until you can recover. This means
you'll either want to back away from the attacker, or go for a clinch.
Running away might work, but since you've already been hit, they are
probably in better physical shape than you at this point. Immediately get
your hands up and guard your jaw and face from another attack. They
probably aren't going to punch once and stop.
Alex Lorenzo
Now that they've already hit you, are legally allowed to use physical
violence to defend yourself in almost any case. Get in your boxing stance
with your jaw down and hands up. Watch for additional right haymakers
and block accordingly. If they are on the offensive, you'll need to take
drastic measures to stop them. Go for a knee stomp, groin kick, or drop
down and pick the leg. DO NOT crouch over and cover up. You'll be able to
block some punches, but you're also giving them free reign to pound on you.
Kick at the knees, trip, bite, do whatever you have to to stop their forward
momentum.
If nothing works, go for the clinch. This stops them from being able to hit
you. In the clinch, punches are not effective because the range is too
close. This can give you a chance to recover, or to go for a takedown. A
takedown is a good option because it will stun them and temporarily take
them out of the fight. An ankle pick or a trip is usually effective if they
aren't ready for it and can allow you to escape.
Alex Lorenzo
Grappling
At this point, the Jiu Jitsu portion of your training will kick in. Most fights
do end up in a grapple at some point, so you should know basic stand up
grappling. The goal of a grapple is to get a dominant position and put
yourself in position for a takedown. The double
collar tie is the most common stand up grappling
position and you should attempt to get it if you can.
This puts you in a good position for knee strikes,
submissions holds or a takedown. It's fairly difficult
to strike while in a clinch, and most likely your
opponent will not know how. Take this opportunity
to go for a head lock or a few knee strikes. This is
also the perfect time to bite, pull hair, or even
break fingers if you need to.
Keep your center of gravity lower than your opponent and it will be much
harder for them to take you down. Stay low and try to get a hold of a leg
or two. If you can grab a leg it should be easy to tackle and trip them.
Alternatively, you can step a leg behind theirs and shove them over it. Just
remember to keep low and drop your weight so they can't easily knock you
over. Keep your stance wide as well so they can't shove you off balance.
If and when your opponent does go down, do not give him a chance to get
up. You can't afford to give them another chance to harm you. Take a
dominant position immediately. The full mount is the best position to be
in, so get it if you can. If you wind up on bottom, you'll want to transition
into a dominant position quickly, or you're in trouble. Read and practice
transitioning and ground grappling in the Jiu Jitsu section. This is also
covered in detail in a later section.
Alex Lorenzo
Ground Combat
Ground combat in a street fight is tricky. You really don't want to be on the
ground if you can help it, but it does end up here fairly often. In street
combat, the full mount is king. Fights don't last long on the ground, and
usually involve wild wrestling and flailing punches.
If you took the opponent down, try to achieve the full mount as soon as
possible. This allows you to hold them and down and allows you to reign
down strikes on them at will. Unless they are trained in wrestling or Jiu
Jitsu, they will not be able to escape it. Don't go overboard here, but keep
on the offensive and keep attacking. Don't let them recover or reverse on
you. The ground is dangerous, if you give them a chance to recover, you're
putting yourself at serious risk.
If your opponent gets on top of you, you're in a bad
situation. I'll be blunt, you're not going to win most
times unless someone jumps in to help you. Your two
best options are to deflect punches and try to get a
hold of their arms, or to wrap them up and go for a
transition. To deflect punches, form an 'X' over your
face using your forearms. Try to grab hold of an arm
if you can. You can strike from the bottom position,
but you won't get much power behind it making it
less useful. The alternative is to grab hold of their
shirt or neck and pull them down to the ground.
Then you simply wrap them up and hold them there, keeping them from
striking. This can be very effective and allow you to neutralize them until
help arrives.
Alex Lorenzo
Alex Lorenzo
palm strike, elbow, knees and feet. Using these pressure points can be
effective means of self defense when attacked by a larger opponent.
Blood Pressure
The baroreceptors in the carotid artery are pressure sensitive and supply
the brain with information to control blood pressure. Pressure against this
region will send signals to the brain that indicate blood pressure is too high
and lead to a lowering of blood pressure. For this reason, striking this area
can cause unconsciousness by the same mechanism. We already know that
a head lock can cut off blood flow to the brain, causing unconsciousness. In
a similar fashion, a quick strike to the jugular can also cause it.
This is often exaggerated or parodied in movies, where the attacker simply
chops the neck of his opponents and they drop to the ground unconscious.
You may recall the judo chop from Austin Powers as one of the most
famous instances. While you actually can knock an opponent unconscious
with a well targeted strike to the neck, it requires a lot of skill and
practice, and even then may not always work.
Break
There are certain bones and area of the body that are likely to break if
struck properly. Some examples of these are the floating ribs, the
philtrum, and the side of the knee. In a threatening situation, a well
placed kick to the side of the knee is likely going to land your opponent on
the ground with severe knee damage.
Hyper-extension
There are joints that when struck, can be hyper-extended and even tear.
This is a technique which can cause permanent damage to your opponent.
Brute force hyper-extension is simply striking a joint so that it quickly
hyper-extends out of its normal range, usually causing severe joint damage
and tearing. A strike to the back of the elbow or the side of the knee is an
example of this.
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Alex Lorenzo
seizures. and in extreme cases, death. The best types of strikes for this
area are the heel of the palm, hammer fist, back fist, and elbow.
Eyes
Any strike to the eyes can cause lasting injury so do not use this target
unless it is very serious. It should be used only when your life is in danger or
when under the threat of serious bodily harm. Blindness, corneal scratching
or tearing, and other types of injuries are possible.
The best types of strikes for this area are finger jabs.
Base of the Nose
This is the area at the top of the nose where it meets the forehead
between the eyes. Contrary to popular belief, striking someone in this area
does NOT cause the nose bone to be shoved up into the brain. As with other
strikes and points on the head, the results are usually due to the shock to
the brain. The normal reactions to a strike to this area are; the assailant
drawing back, eyes watering and/or swelling, bloody nose, pain and
disorientation. Exceptionally strong blows can cause bone fractures and
unconsciousness.
Bottom of the Jaw
This is a fairly easy target to hit and can have several desirable results.
Common reactions to a strike to this area include; snapping the assailants
head back and putting them off balance, pain, clacking the jaws together
and breaking teeth, and even unconsciousness. This is a classic point for a
boxer to strike for a knockout blow.
There are several strikes that can be affective to the mandible, these
include; an uppercut or straight punch, elbows, the heel of the palm, and
even a roundhouse kick.
Hinge of Jaw
There is a cluster of nerves that is located below each ear at the hinge of
the jaw. You can find this area very easily using your fingers. Use your
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thumb and GENTLY apply an increasing amount of pressure under the ear.
You should feel it right away.
You can also use your fingers on an attacker. If they are trying to bear hug
or hold you against your will, drive your thumb into the hinge of the jaw in
a sharp, jabbing motion. It wont cause lasting injury or break bones but it
will usually cause enough pain have them release you.
Under the Jaw
Directly under and behind the end point of the jaw is a V shaped area.
There is also a cluster of nerves here that can cause pain to an attacker. To
find it on yourself, put your thumb to the inside area and your other fingers
on the outside surface of the jaw. Squeeze and push up against the bone.
During an assault, this can be used similarly to the hinge of the jaw point.
Larynx (Throat)
This is a very vulnerable area in the neck. It is at the front and center of
the neck, and can easily be damaged. Strong blows can cause difficulty
breathing, rupture of the trachea (windpipe), bleeding and even death.
Almost any solid strike will be affective in the area but a few suggestions
are the edge of the hand, punches, finger jabs, and elbows.
Base of Throat
Like the larynx, this area is very delicate. To locate this spot, find the
indented area at the base of the throat. There is a sort of V notch where
the collar bones come together. You can apply pressure to this area with the
fingers and cause extreme pain and difficulty breathing
If some punk is hassling you and won't leave you alone, simply pressing your
thumb into this spot should do the trick. If you get grabbed or pinned, sharp
finger jabs and spear hands can also be used.
Carotid/Jugular Vein
The carotid artery is the artery that supplies the brain with oxygenated
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blood. When performing a choke hold, you're usually trying to pinch this
artery, blocking the blood flow, causing unconsciousness. A punch or strike
with the edge of the hand to this area can cause dizziness, disorientation,
or an instant knockout.
Solar Plexus
This is a good one. The Solar Plexus, or bread basket, is the small tip of
bone that extends beyond the bottom of the breastbone. It is also the bone
that CPR instructors warn you about. If struck with any real pressure or
force it can break off and cause severe pain and injury to a person. Besides
the pain, there is also the possibility of puncturing a lung. Perhaps most
importantly, a powerful strike will cause the attacker to have the wind
completely knocked out of him, leaving him crouched over and gasping for
air. From here you can do what you please.
Possible strikes are the heel of the palm, straight punches, and knees.
Inguinal Area
This is the highly sensitive area of the upper, inner thigh, about halfway to
the knee. There are a large number of nerves that make it an ideal area for
strikes. A strike or pinch to the area can cause a lot of pain and numbing of
the leg.
If someone comes up behind you and puts you in a bear hug, move your hips
slightly to one side, reach back, and pinch. They will jump back almost
immediately. Even fairly light pinches can cause bruising.
You can also use punches, one finger punches, elbows, and all kinds of
kicks.
Outer Thigh
Muay Thai fighters are trained to relentlessly target the large area of nerves
that run on the outside of the thigh. If you've ever had a charlie horse
before you probably know what I'm talking about. Striking this area with a
hard knee or kick can greatly reduce their mobility and often take them to
the ground.
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The Knee
The knees are obviously delicate, which is why joint locks to the knee are
often banned from combat sports. There's a reason so many football players
go out each year from knee injuries. A good kick or stomp to the knee is
almost guaranteed to bring your opponent to the ground for good. Knee
strikes work best if his foot is planted to the ground with the leg straight. If
you manage a stomp kick to the front of the knee it does the most damage,
but its fairly easy to miss. I recommend going for the outside of the knee
and kicking slightly downward. This is an easy strike and almost always
works.
The Groin
This one is obvious but I'll mention it anyway. Even though just about
everyone knows this is an easy target, most people never think of it when
the time comes. There are several ways to target this extremely sensitive
target. The first and most common attack would be a kick to the groin.
Kick upwards with the foot or shin. Their legs will basically guide your foot
toward the target making it an easy shot. The other option is a grab. If
someone grabs a hold of you or tries choking you, a simple grab and twist
will almost always break it up. Any type of strike to this area is probably
going to immobilize them very quickly.
In all there are over fifty vital striking points taught in various forms of
martial arts. The ones listed above are some of the easiest and most
commonly used, making them ideal for a street fight. There are other
useful ones, but they are less likely to be effective in real life.
Please realize that many of these areas are very sensitive to permanent
damage and should be used only in certain situations. In other words, if
someone bumps into you at a bar, do not gouge out their eye or break their
knee. If a simple strike to the solar plexus or a thumb to the jaw hinge will
do the job, stick with that. Unless you feel that your life is in danger,
you're best off not permanently maiming your opponent.
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Alex Lorenzo
aware of the option and use it if necessary. A good kick to the side of the
knee can end a fight in just seconds.
Punching Distance
The punching distance is the zone where punches can be thrown, and
includes the distance from the furthest jab to the closest hook, as long as
no grappling is taking place. In addition to punches, this distance often also
allows for elbows and knees. Boxing occurs almost entirely in this zone.
This section could also be split up into several boxing ranges like in-fighting
and out-fighting. While in punching distance, you should always be alert
and ready for punches to be thrown.
Clinching Distance
The clinching distance is generally the same as the punching distance,
except that one or both combatants grapple, and at the same time prevent
the other from moving out of the clinching distance by using a clinch hold.
While in this zone a variety of techniques can be deployed including
elbows, knees, takedowns, and chokes.
Here's a good visual representation of the different fighting ranges that
exist and the transitions that occur to get into them:
Alex Lorenzo
OK, enough of the technical stuff. We've already gone over all the basic
moves you'll need to win a stand up fight in the other three sections of the
program. If you've studied and practiced them, you've already got the
weapons you need to take down any untrained thug that might come at you
on the streets. But you're probably wondering, what exactly do I need to
do to win in a real street fight?
Let's go over some important basic principles that you have to follow in any
confrontation on the street.
At the beginning of a fight, you're almost always in a stand-up position, and
you're likely within punching range of your opponent. Many times these
confrontations begin with trash talk and aggressive movements. During this
time, you should be analyzing the situation and searching for targets. Some
things you should consider:
Is he in range?
As you can tell, you need to be very aware of your surroundings and your
specific situation. You should immediately be looking for targets.
This is why so many martial artists, even black belts, get their asses handed
to them in a real street fight. When they're in the well-lit dojo they train
with plenty of room on padded floors. They bow politely, then fight in a
predictable manner. They never have to worry about any of the items
above. Once they're confronted by some big guy screaming insults and
cursing, confusion hits, and all that training goes down the drain. One
haymaker and its over.
That's why its important to know your surroundings and be looking for the
obvious verbal and physical cues we discussed earlier. Know them ahead of
time so you don't get caught off guard when it happens.
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Your opponent will likely be making verbal threats, cursing, etc. Do not pay
attention to him. This only distracts you from your target awareness. They
are usually just trying to get into your head and get you to back down
anyway. If they continue making aggressive movements and behaviors as
discussed above, be on the lookout for the right haymaker.
The beginning of the fight is a great place for a little acting. This goes back
to our discussions about deception. The basic concept is to make your
adversary think one thing while you are planning your move. Deception can
be verbal or physical. Tell your opponent you dont want any trouble while
you locate targets and plan your attack. Raise your hands up in a submissive
way so that they are in front of your shoulders and face with open palms.
Hell think youre in a I surrender position, when in reality you are ready
for action and just waiting for the right moment.
At this time you can tell him, "I don't want any trouble, and depending on
the situation, unleash on him. Striking first is absolutely critical as I stated
earlier. It may not be politically correct, but if you want to escape without
injury, it is necessary.
Depending on your situation, you'll likely have dozens of possible attacks
and strikes available to you. The three basic actions you can choose from
are a strike, a takedown, or a submission. Depending on your strengths as a
fighter, it's up to you to choose. A solid cross to the face, an open palm
strike the solar plexus, or an ankle pick will all stun your opponent
immediately, allowing you to engage in a series of attacks or a submission
hold.
When you do decide to make your move, act quickly and aggressively. In
other words, if you're going to make a move, make it count. Shoot for an
attack that will immobilize your opponent and put you at the advantage.
Once you make the initial attack, KEEP GOING. This is important. Do not
give your opponent a chance to get back up or recover. Keep on the
offensive at all times.
For example, if you strike your opponent in the solar plexus, they will likely
crouch over gasping for air. At this point you could easily put him in a
guillotine choke, or continue striking.
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If you deliver a cross to the face. They will likely stumble backwards or fall
down. At this point you could ankle pick them, put them in a wrist lock, or
continue striking.
The idea in either case is to get the advantage and keep it.
So what strikes are most effective for stand up fighting?
If I were to summarize the most important stand-up fighting techniques, I
would be sure to include:
The jab
The cross
Hooks
Low kicks
Standing chokes
Wristlocks
It's important to know that most street fights are over in under 10 seconds
so you'll probably never have to use more than one or two different moves.
In fact I recommend that you plan your attacks ahead of time and focus on
really mastering just two or three moves. Bruce Lee once said I do not
fear the man who has practiced 1000 kicks one time I fear the man who
has practiced one kick 1000 times. So what's the point here? Basically,
you're not going to be able to master every move and be prepared for every
possible scenario. Instead, you'll want to have a game plan that allows you
to control the fight and put you in a position to use your most effective
moves.
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In most cases, if you land the first punch, the fight is basically over.
Assuming you connected as planned, they are probably going to be
completely stunned or on the ground and likely will not recover as long as
you keep on the offensive.
But what about the times when you don't get that opportunity? If it's been
established by both parties that you're going to fight, then you're going to
need some training and a game plan. In this next section, we'll go over an
arsenal of powerful moves and techniques that are effective during stand
up combat as well as some defensive moves.
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The Haymaker
I've already stated this previously but its worth mentioning one more time.
If you can gain a distraction in a street fight, DO IT. This isn't sport fighting,
its real life. If you can get an advantage, take it.
Distractions don't have to be complicated at all. If you have a drink, toss it
in their face. If you have some change or car keys in your pocket, throw
them on the ground or at their face. Look or point to their side as if
something is happening behind them. It can be as simple as that.
The important part of distraction is that you act immediately as soon as
they take their attention off of you. This is a key element used by many of
the worlds best street fighters so don't blow it off.
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The Haymaker
If you're not familiar with the haymaker, you haven't seen many street
fights. The haymaker is a slang term for a big, full force cross with the
dominant hand. It's by far the most common strike in any street fight and
so its very important that you know what it looks like, when its coming, and
how to avoid it.
If you get into a confrontation and you're getting a sense that your
opponent is going to attack, you can almost count on a right haymaker
coming your way if they aren't a trained fighter. Don't rely completely on
this as they may be left handed or have some martial arts training, but an
overwhelming amount of first attacks will be a right haymaker.
The weakness of the haymaker is that its very slow and obvious compared
to a technically correct punch. The opponent will have a large wind up,
cocking the fist back near their ear, then step forward and throw with all
their force. Always keep the left side of your head and face guarded if you
feel this may be on the way.
Haymakers are fairly easy to dodge since they have a very clear and long
wind up. Most times you can simply lean back, to the side, or duck.
Alternatively, a quick jab to the jaw is a great defense against the
haymaker. If you feel this is coming, and it probably is, you can throw a
fast jab or cross as soon as you see the wind up. The opponent's hand will
be busy, leaving the face wide open.
When the attacker misses this type of swing, they will be off balance
immediately after due to the force going forward. This leaves an easy
opportunity for you to strike back, or put them in a wrist lock or choke
hold. If they are by themselves, a simple submission hold is a good way to
control the situation without doing a lot of damage. If they are with
friends, you'll want to take them to the ground as quickly as possible and
move on the next opponent.
While they're off balance, they are an easy target for a trip or takedown as
well. They will without fail take a step forward during this swing, so a
simple ankle pick or trip will work well.
Do not underestimate this attack. While slow and obvious, it does do some
pretty major damage if it lands. Be cautious and ready for this move at the
beginning of any fight.
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The Jab
The jab is a completely under utilized and effective strike in street
fighting. A good jab is the biggest difference between a good fist fighter
and a bad one. To get an idea of its importance, Mohammed Ali used the
jab 90% of the time when he was a boxer. It's quick, its harder to dodge,
and it deals a good amount of damage when it connects.
The average person will not often use the jab in a
fight. You should be ready for it, but most times you
won't see it. Keep your hands up and your chin down
and you won't have to worry much about catching a
jab in the lip. If your attacker does throw a jab,
that's a tip that they may have boxing training and
you may want to opt for a leg attack or takedown.
While throwing jabs, be sure to keep your chin down,
and keep your rear hand up guarding your jaw. This
will keep your face covered while you attack, making
it hard for your opponent to counter.
The jab is useful for multiple situations. As we discussed earlier, its a great
counter for the haymaker. It also works well for maintaining distance
between you and your opponent(s). While in a proper boxing stance with
your hips and shoulders facing sideways, your front arm will be closer to
your opponent than your face. This means they need to close distance in
order to hit you. When they do, a quick jab will likely stun them or knock
them down.
Many people ignore the jab thinking it doesn't have enough power to do
damage. This is wrong. A bare knuckled jab to the jaw will knock down
most people or at the very least disorient them. At that point you can go in
with stronger attacks like crosses, knees, and kicks.
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The Cross
The cross is a power punch performed with your dominant hand. A good fist
fighter will utilize the cross often as it is quick and powerful. The
haymaker is a sloppy variation of the cross when the wind up is
exaggerated. People with no boxing experience feel the need to wind up to
get more power behind the punch. However, a proper cross can deliver as
much if not more force than a haymaker without the unnecessary windup.
The proper cross is performed from a boxing stance with both hands up
guarding the face. The front hand is slightly higher, guarding the face, with
the rear hand slightly lower, guarding the jaw. The power from the cross
comes from the rotation of the hips. A wind up is not at all necessary to
knock out an opponent. To gain even more power, you can step into the
punch, although this will make it more obvious that its coming.
While throwing a cross, its important to keep the
front hand up, guarding the face. This makes it
nearly impossible for the opponent to counter punch
while you attack.
The cross is effective in combinations with the jab,
hook, and uppercut. Most times, a simple one-two
combo (jab-cross) is enough to take out your
attacker, so don't worry too much about complex
combinations.
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Alex Lorenzo
Eye Gouging
Eye gouging sounds pretty self explanatory but often you'll have to drill to
find the eyes without looking. It's harder than it sounds, especially if they
are attacking you.
When you can find them without looking, you can poke and gouge the eyes
even if you're being choked or attacked. This will be the case most of the
time, so be aware of that.
To perform an eye gouge, bring your palm up to the attacker's jaw with the
fingers pointing toward their ears.
Crawl your thumbs up until they hit your opponent's nose.
From the nose, work the thumbs into the eyes from the inside.
You can also simultaneously crush the ears with your fingers to add
additional pain. Really drive the finger nails in to make it more effective.
Alternatively, to cause quick and brutal damage to the eyes, you can simply
go for a poke. This is normally done with the first three fingers (pointer,
middle, and ring). Clench and extend the fingers out, and drive the middle
finger at their eye.
Please note that eye gouges can cause permanent damage including
blindness so you must use extreme caution. Use your head. Don't eye
gouge unless it's a life threatening situation.
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Fish Hooking
By grabbing on to soft tissue, you can easily drag your opponent around
without much resistance. This is especially true on the face, since they will
not want to risk permanent damage. It's very painful and they will probably
let you do what you want to avoid disfiguring their face.
It really doesn't matter how big or strong your opponent is in this case,
which makes it a great move to keep in your back pocket.
Fish hooking involves inserting fingers into the mouth, nostrils or other
orifices of an opponent, with the intention of pulling and tearing the
surrounding tissue. Forceful fish hooking will usually lead to permanent
facial damage.
Fish hooking is not allowed in any combat sports or cage fighting due to the
risk of permanent injury. They are occasionally taught as a self-defense
technique in some select martial arts like Krav Maga.
To perform a fish hook, simply hook your index finger inside the opponents
mouth, avoiding the teeth. The finger should hook onto the inside of the
cheek, allowing you to pull sideways. Now simply crank on their mouth,
causing severe paint.
Another thing you can do is grab them by the lower lip.
The lip grab can cause a great deal of pain and also fear of disfigurement
which will overwhelm most opponents.
Starting from the chin, squeeze the opponents bottom lip between your
index finger and thumb.
From here you're free to crank their head around, possibly tossing them into
a wall or object.
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Alex Lorenzo
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Alex Lorenzo
The Cover Up
If you land a solid strike to the face, your opponent will often cover up in
shock. They usually will crouch over, holding both hands up to guard the
face in a submissive manner. This usually means you've won the fight, but
don't always assume this. If you don't keep going, they could very well get
back up and hit you.
If you're in a life threatening situation, one potentially fatal move is to
drive an elbow into the back of the head where the neck meets the skull.
Be aware that this is potentially fatal. This is not allowed in any combat
sport and has a high chance of seriously injuring your opponent so only use
it in extreme situations.
A simpler option would just be to continue striking with low hooks and
uppercuts until someone comes to your aid. Alternatively, this is a very
easy takedown position. You could easily toss them to the ground, or take
hold of their head in a guillotine position. In either case, they will be in a
submissive position, allowing you to finish the fight.
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Alex Lorenzo
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Biting
Biting is obviously not allowed in any combat sport including cage fighting.
We all know how things turned out for Mike Tyson. However, in a street
fight, biting is fair game. If you want to walk away from a fight unharmed,
don't be afraid to bite. It's a pretty scary and intimidating attack, even if
unsuccessful. If your attacker knows you're willing to bite him to win, he'll
certainly be left feeling uneasy about the remainder of the bout.
Any type of soft tissue or small body part is usually good for biting. The
most common targets include the ears, nose, and fingers. Biting is usually
used in a clinch and can be useful for getting out of a grab.
If your opponent grabs you, you can simply bite down on a finger and pull it
out, tearing the skin as you go. This is extremely painful and will cause
them to let go immediately. They will likely be stunned by the pain as well.
It's not recommended to attempt biting if your opponent is moving
sporadicly as you can damage your teeth. Biting hard surfaces such as the
head can also knock teeth out so only use it when needed. As a rule of
thumb, you should only bite while in a clinch.
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Alex Lorenzo
Finger Damage
Small joint manipulation is not allowed in most combat sports because it's
very easy to break and damage small joints without much force. Beyond
that, the opponent probably won't have a chance to tap before something
gets damaged.
The fingers are a prime target for small joint manipulation because they
are easy to get a hold of and cause a lot of pain.
There are essentially two easy ways to damage the fingers. The first, as
discussed previously, is to bite. If they get their fingers in your face, bite
to the first knuckle, then rip away with the hand and twist your head away
from the fingers simultaneously.
To cause joint pain and damage, you can perform a type of joint lock on the
fingers. This is useful for escaping bear hugs and and other grabs. To
perform it, simply grab a hold of one or two fingers with one hand, and
grab the rest with your other. Now just crank them apart until they scream
for mercy.
It's a very simple attack that works very well without the need for lethal
force or severe injury to an opponent.
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Alex Lorenzo
Knee Strikes
Knee strikes can be effective in street fighting, especially while in a clinch.
If you wind up grappling with an opponent, you have two ways you can
effectively strike with the knee.
The first is to strike diagonally upward into the ribs. Since the opponents
arms will be tied up, they won't be able to block these attacks. The range
is too short for punches and kicks, but perfect for knee attacks. Drill into
the ribs as much as you can while wrapped up.
The alternative, and more devastating option, is a knee blow to the face.
If you're grappling you should attempt to gain a double collar tie. This is
where you have both hands wrapped around the back of the opponents neck
with your arms inside theirs. If you can gain this position, it is fairly easy to
pull their head down and strike upward with the knee. This is very
powerful and can break the opponents nose, so use caution.
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Downed Opponents
When your opponent goes down, you'll want to make sure he stays there
until help arrives or you can escape. Don't give them a chance to get back
up and fight.
When they are down you should never stomp the back of their head unless
you are in a potentially life threatening situation and you have no choice.
Strikes to the back of the head can of cause paralysis or death.
If you're going to do this, be prepared to face the consequences. It will be
hard to justify this kind of force unless you can prove they were threatening
your life. Kicking to the face is another use of excessive force which can
cause major permanent damage. You're less likely to kill someone by
kicking the face, but you'll still cause lasting and serious injury and can
possibly take their eyesight.
Stomping your opponent's hand or arm will likely break it, but carefully
stepping on it and pressing into it can help immobilize them without serious
damage. It will still hurt, but the chances of a break are much lower. Don't
expect to hold them like this for long, but it's a temporary solution.
The ankle is another easy target. A stomp could easily break it, but a press
could hold them in place.
If severe pain and damage is your goal, you can also go for the kidneys and
spine. Both of these targets are easily damaged while an opponent is
down. The kidneys are located on both sides of the lower back. The spine
can be struck at nearly any point, but know that there is always a chance of
paralysis.
Generally, if you can get away, do it. If not, keep the opponent
immobilized. A simple joint lock can often be the best option. See the Jiu
Jitsu section for details.
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Alex Lorenzo
Alex Lorenzo
Ground Combat
Ground fighting is combat which takes place while the combatants are on
the ground, generally involving grappling. The term is commonly used in
martial arts and combat sports to designate the set of techniques employed
by a combatant that is on the ground, as opposed to techniques employed
in stand-up fighting. Ground combat is the main focus of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
and most types of wrestling.
Similar to clinch fighting, ground fighting implies that the combatants are
at a very close range, usually involving one or both combatants grappling
the opponent using various grappling holds. Depending on the positioning of
the combatants, the proximity can allow for techniques such as biting,
choke holds, fish-hooking, eye-gouging, joint locks, pressure point
techniques, or various strikes.
In a real life fight, striking on the ground is an important aspect of ground
fighting. Most grappling martial arts like Jiu Jitsu and wrestling disregard
ground striking and focus entirely on grappling and submission. Typically, a
top position is better for striking than the bottom position and is generally
regarded as the dominant position. This is unlike Jiu Jitsu where the
bottom position is sometimes thought of as an advantageous position.
Another factor is gravity, which is in favor of the top combatant when he is
striking downward. Striking an opponent from the top is also amplified by
the fact that the opponent will be knocked into the ground rather than
falling backward. Typical strikes from the ground include elbows,
headbutts, knees and punches.
A ground fighting sequence usually begins with one combatant forcing the
other to the ground with a takedown and establishing a mount position. The
top combatant may then proceed to throw punches or perform a
submission. In a real street fight, getting your opponent on the ground and
into a full mount generally will lead to victory. The average person will not
be able to escape from this position meaning you'll be able to deliver
unrelenting strikes to the face or put them an armbar or choke. Generally
you don't want to be on the ground in a real fight, but if you are, you need
to know what to do. That's what this section will cover.
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Alex Lorenzo
Transitioning
The most important part of ground combat in a real fight is getting into a
dominant position. In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu the dominant position could mean
many things, but in a street fight it generally means a full mount (you
straddling your opponent from the top). Side control is also usually
considered dominant (you lying sideways across your opponents chest). Most
times a fight ends up on the ground after stand-up grappling or a takedown.
If you performed the takedown, you should be able to achieve a mount
fairly easily as your opponent should be on the ground first and likely
stunned.
If your opponent is able to take you take you down either due to a strike or
a takedown, then you are in some serious trouble unless you regain a
dominant position fast. This can be done via a variety of techniques, but
generally it is done using basic Jiu Jitsu transition moves like shrimping (hip
escape) and upa (bridging).
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Likely your best bet to transition is the Upa, also known as 'bridging' or 'trap
and roll'. To perform the Upa, grab one of your of your opponent's arms with
both of your hands. The hand on the same side as the opponent's arm
reaches up and grabs the elbow. The hand on the opposite side reaches
across the body and grabs the hand or wrist.
Next, secure your opponent's same-side leg. This means if you are holding
their right arm, secure the right leg. Do this by placing your foot on the
outside of their foot. Make sure your ankles are touching so your opponent
can not slip out.
Bridge straight up and push hard with both legs and shoot your hips toward
the sky. This takes advantage of the powerful muscles in your thighs and
hips. Even a very heavy opponent can be easily lifted this way. Your
opponent will be propelled both up and forward.
Push with your legs toward your shoulder. Do this on the side where you are
trapping your opponent's arm and leg. Since he can't use his arm and leg on
that side to support him, he has no way to stop you from rolling him over.
Look over your shoulder and flip him onto his back. It is important to roll
him to the side and up, not just on his side. If you do that, your opponent
could stop your momentum, leaving you both on your sides.
Here is an excellent demonstration video:
Upa Mount Escape
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Ground Striking
Ground striking generally isn't taught in
traditional martial arts. Many combat sports
like boxing do not engage in ground combat at
all. Others like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and
wrestling focus highly on ground combat, but
do not allow striking while on the ground.
Even in cage fighting, there are a lot of
restrictions on what you can do while an
opponent is down. This is mainly due to the
fact that it is very easy to injure someone
while they are on the ground.
If your opponent is able to get a full mount on
you, you're in real trouble. This is the most
dominant ground position and allows them to
rain down strikes on you while you are fairly defenseless. Striking from the
bottom position is difficult because the ground restricts your movement and
doesn't allow a full windup. You also are working against gravity.
If you find yourself on the losing end of a full mount, you'll want to get out
of the position as soon as possible using one of the transition moves
described above. If you are overwhelmed or unable to transition, there are
some simple moves that can help distract and possibly injure your opponent
while he has a mount, allowing you to escape.
If your attacker has you in a full mount, he is almost guaranteed to go for a
ground and pound. This is simply when the attacker reins down a barrage
of punches, elbows, or hammer fists on the opponent. Covering the face
and blocking can reduce the impact, but it doesn't do much to help you
escape from that position. Instead, you'll want to disable him from
punching by pulling him down to the ground. Do everything you can to grab
hold of him and pull his head down next to yours. Grab his shirt or the back
of his neck and pull him down tight. Now wrap your arm around the back of
his neck and pin him down. Do not let him get loose.
While your opponent is pulled down, they are unable to punch because of
the shortened distance. At this time, take advantage of any painful attack
necessary such as biting, eye gouging, hair pulling, etc. If your opponent
has you in a full mount, you are in serious danger and should do anything it
takes to get out of it.
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If you need to block attacks you should form an 'X' in front of your face
using your forearms. You can deflect a lot of the attacks this way but it's
not going to help you escape the situation. Your only real options here are
to hold off until he tires out or someone breaks it up. Unless other people
are around, your best bet is to try to get a hold of his arm and bridge him
off (Upa).
If and when you gain a dominant position, be it a full mount or side control,
be certain you do not lose it. Allowing your opponent to escape or recover
is putting yourself in danger, do not allow it to happen. Should you gain a
full mount, you need to keep striking or at the least put them in choke
hold. Do not let up on them or you are putting yourself at risk.
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Collar Chokes
Collar chokes are a great way to subdue an opponent without having to
beat them senseless. You can fairly quickly put an opponent to sleep with a
good choke without causing any serious damage. This puts them out of
commission but keeps you from getting into a lot of trouble for beating
them too badly. There are three simple collar chokes that can be done from
the mount.
The sleeve choke is a type of choke where you
need to have long sleeves to perform it. You
simply place one arm behind the opponent's
neck, then grab hold of that sleeve with the
other hand. You can then drive your forearm
into the neck, using the sleeve for leverage.
It's quick and easy and works no matter what
they are wearing.
The second is the nutcracker choke. This is
when you grab the opponents collar with
both hands pointing in. Pull the collar in
tight to the back of their neck with the
pinkies at the base. Now just drive your
pointer knuckles into the arteries on both
sides of the Adam's apple and they will go
unconscious shortly after.
The third collar choke is the papercutter.
This is perhaps the simplest choke. Simply
reach across and grab the opponents collar on
the opposite side of you hand. Now pull
tight, and drive your arm down on their neck.
Their collar provides leverage in this case.
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Joint Locks
While joint locks are very common in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and submission
wrestling, they aren't nearly as much in a street fight. If you really take
the time to master BJJ you can be an effective submission artist, but that
can take years of practice. In real street combat, ground striking and
chokes are much more common. Your best bet with joint locks is to pick
one or two moves and master them. Don't go for the most complex tricks,
stick with something simple. My personal recommendation is the armbar.
The armbar (juji-gatame) is a type
of arm lock derived from judo. It is
performed from a ground position.
To do it, you need to get a hold of
one of your opponent's arms
between your legs. This can be
done while your opponent is down
and you are standing. Secure the
arm between your thighs and grab
hold of the wrist. You'll need to get your legs across the opponent's chest,
while their upper arm is held between your thighs. Their elbow should be
pointing down toward your hips. Now simply crank their wrist toward your
chest to hyper-extend the elbow joint. You can increase the pressure by
arching your hips into the elbow.
There are many other simple joint locks that can be performed quickly, but
this is the most common. Pick one or two moves, and practice them until
you have them down solid. It's no use knowing a ton of moves if you can
perform them quickly under pressure.
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Dirty Fighting
There are a lot of fighting techniques that are not allowed in combat sports
or martial arts but are used all the time in street fighting. Since there is no
referee in a street fight, people will use any means necessary to win, and
that includes dirty fighting. What is considered 'dirty' will vary from person
to person, but generally if it's not allowed in cage fighting, it's probably in
here. These moves are all fair game in a real fight, and you shouldn't
ignore that. Your opponent very well could use these against you, so don't
feel too high and mighty to break them out if you need to. Some of these
have been covered in previous sections but are explained again in more
detail here.
Fish-hooking is the act of inserting fingers into the mouth, nostrils or other
orifices of a person, with the intention of pulling and tearing the
surrounding tissue. Forceful fish-hooking involves a high risk of permanent
facial and/or orifice damage.
Fish-hooking techniques are disallowed in modern combat sports due to the
risk of permanent injury but are occasionally taught as a self-defense
technique in some martial arts such as karate and Krav Maga. If you are in
serious trouble in a street fight, be ready to use this technique. It works
great for escaping grabs, bear hugs, and clinches. Most people will not
resist against the fish hook out of fear of disfigurement, so it works great
even on big opponents.
Eye-gouging is the act of pressing or tearing the eye using the fingers,
other body parts, or instruments. Eye-gouging involves a very high risk of
eye injury, such as permanent eye loss. It is disallowed in combat sports,
but some self-defense systems teach it. Training in eye-gouging can involve
extensive grappling training to establish control, the eye-gouging itself
being practiced with the opponent wearing eye protection such as
swimming goggles. You should be aware that eye gouging has the
opportunity to cause blindness and severe eye damage, so it should only be
used in life threatening situations. Keep it in your back pocket, should you
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find yourself in serious trouble, but refrain against gouging the eyes unless
you absolutely need to.
Generally, to perform an eye gouge, you thrust your first two or three
fingers into the opponents eye in a gouging motion. Alternatively, you can
simply grab hold of the opponents head and press the thumbs into the
attackers eyes. This is somewhat safer but will still cause severe shock in
your opponent.
Small joint manipulation, in grappling, refers to twisting, pulling or
bending fingers or toes to cause joint locks in the various joints in those
appendages. Finger locks and toe locks are not allowed in combat sports or
Jiu Jitsu because it is too easy to break these fragile joints before the
opponent has a chance to tap out.
The leverage needed for such joint manipulation is comparatively small,
since grabbing a finger or two with one or both hands creates a distinct
advantage. Joint manipulation can allow a weaker person with the right
training to control a stronger one. Grabbing three or more fingers makes it
fairly easy for the opponent to resist and escape, so it is usually
recommended to grab two or less. For maximum effectiveness, a single
finger is often best.
Small joint manipulation is sometimes taught as a self-defense and pain
compliance technique in Krav Maga and 'Small Circle JuJitsu'. If you find
yourself in a clinch or hold with a larger opponent, a finger lock is a great
way to escape and cause serious pain in your opponent. Simply grabbing
one or two fingers and cranking will cause severe joint pain no matter who
you are. Bending, twisting, and pulling fingers apart is a very simple way to
cause a lot of damage with little effort. Please note that it's fairly easy to
break fingers and finger joints, so be aware of when and when not to use
this technique.
Groin Attacks
OK, we can all agree that a shot to the groin is going to be considered dirty
and disrespectful to most people. We're taught even as young boys not to
go for this region. However, if you're in a situation where your life is in
danger, this is the perfect attack to get you out of it. Most times it causes
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no permanent damage, but will cripple your opponent with pain for quite a
while. It's a great way to escape from grapples and grabs, or as a way to
stun your opponent while you escape the situation.
Some examples of ways to use groin attacks;
1. During a front bear hug, drive the knee into the attackers groin
2. During a rear bear hug, drive the heal upward into the groin
3. During a rear naked choke (head lock), shift to the side and hammer
the fist into the groin
4. To escape a fight, simply throw a front straight kick or knee into
the opponent's groin
5. To escape a full mount, attack the mounters groin with punches
Attacking the groin may not be considered 'fair' or ethical to some, but you
definitely should not ignore it. Anything goes on the street, and your
opponent can and will use this move against you. Keep it ready if you need
it.
Distraction & Deception
We've already discussed this in detail earlier, but its worth mentioning
again. Some people may consider distracting an opponent in order to get a
shot off dirty. In some cases this is true, in others it is totally necessary. If
you're in a situation where you feel your life or health is in danger, you may
find it necessary to distract your opponent in order to get a free shot on
them. This can be anything from holding your hands up and asking for
mercy, to throwing some change on the floor. Draw your opponent's
attention away from you and attack as soon as they look away.
This type of thing can get you in trouble in certain situations, but many
times it is justified. Judge each scenario and decide if you can justify a
sneak attack on your opponent or opponents.
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Weapons
One of the scariest things that can occur in a street fight is when a weapon
shows up. Weapons have the potential to cause life threatening damage to
anyone nearby and should not be taken lightly. This is something that isn't
taught in most self defense or martial arts classes and is obviously not
allowed in cage fighting.
In a street fight, weapons aren't what you would typically think. We
generally think of weapons as guns, swords, knives, bats, and other
common tools. In real life, most people don't carry these types of weapons
around with them. If they do, your best bet is almost always to run. I'm
not going to lie to you and tell you that you can take on an attacker with a
knife and walk away unharmed. Even if you win the fight, you're going to
be seriously injured. It's not worth it.
If someone confronts you with a knife or gun, you're dealing with a
predator. The ideas and techniques we discussed before generally aren't
applicable here. These people generally are unstable and probably can't be
reasoned with. If this happens, keep your cool and play along. No amount
of money is worth losing your life.
The types of weapons you'll more likely be dealing with in a real
confrontation tend to be bottles, car keys, pool cues, chains, and other
everyday objects known as improvised weapons. They may not seem like
a threat at the time, but when used properly, they can be just as deadly. If
you find yourself in a serious situation, these simple objects can save your
life. Let's discuss some simple ways you can use common everyday objects
to defend yourself in an extreme scenario.
Before we begin, note that using weapons is very serious and can cause
permanent injuries and death. You can get serious jail time if you get
caught using weapons in unnecessary situations. Also, it's VERY important
to note that any weapon you use can and will be used against you if you
allow it. Remember that before you ever try to bring a weapon into the
picture.
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There are many different classes of weapons that you can use in a street
fight that are usually readily available. Let's go through each one and cover
a few examples of how they can be used.
Extension Weapons
Extension weapons are long, stick-like objects. Generally they are used to
attack in a swinging motions.
Common Examples: an umbrella, baseball bat, pool cue, tree branch, or
broom handle.
This type of weapon can be very intimidating to an attacker and will usually
cause them to back off without any need for use. Be aware that this type
of weapon is fairly easy to steal away, so you're running the risk of having it
used against you. Use only in severe situations or if you're outnumbered.
Strike low and fast so that your opponent isn't able to grab hold of the
weapon and use it against you.
Small Weapons
Small objects are great for street fights because they are not very
noticeable but can still do serious damage if used properly. They are useful
for throwing, but also for keeping in the hand and increasing punching
power.
Common Examples: an ashtray, car keys, a mug or glass, plate, or rock.
Most people don't know this, but just by clenching your car keys in your fist,
you are increasing your punching power enormously. Placing a small object
in your fist acts like brass knuckles and allows you to deliver extremely
powerful punches. The best part is that most people won't even notice that
you're doing it. If you're in a severe situation and need knockout power,
grab your keys and let em have it.
Distractions
These are small objects used to distract your opponents attention, which as
we discussed earlier, is extremely important.
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Training
The average guy looking to defend himself on the street doesnt need a
black belt to do it. The purpose of this course is to demonstrate how easy it
is to efficiently defend yourself in common situations.
I hear of certain customers who simply read through the program, do not
training at all, and are able to recall and use it correctly when needed. You
can't beat that. But if youre serious about learning how to fight and defend
yourself, I highly recommend that you train and practice. It's the only way
to really engrave this information into your brain.
As I stated many times before, street fighting does not require the same
level of conditioning as sport fighting. Cardio endurance and size aren't
significant in a street fight. I know you may not want to believe that but my
years of research, training, and observation say otherwise. Remember that
true street fights rarely ever last longer than 10 seconds.
With that in mind, having the ability to act decisively and maintain
continuous forward action for 8 to 10 seconds will give you a huge
advantage in a street fight. Your training plan should rely on this principal.
If your goal is self defense and street fighting, focus on anaerobic
conditioning rather than endurance. Try to improve your strength and
power. Ten seconds may not seem like a long time, but try going all out on
a heavy bag for that amount of time. It's not easy.
Try to train as realistically as possible. Don't neglect the emotional
component.
Here are some simple tips:
Visualize yourself initiating a pre-emptive attack and counter attack from
multiple positions and stances. Practice an initial attack from a submissive
position rather than a boxing stance. This is the position you want to
practice launching from. Most times you won't have time to square up into
a fighting stance before things get out of hand. Practice striking from
various distances as well.
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Hand Wraps
In order to keep from hurting your hands and wrists,
you'll need some wrist wraps. They are very cheap
and can help prevent damage to the fragile bones in
your hands and knuckles, and prevent sprained wrists. Do yourself a favor
and get a few.
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Boxing Gloves
Before you start pounding on that heavy bag or sparring
with a partner, you'll need a set of gloves. Hitting a bag
without gloves can and will lead to injury. Grab yourself
a pair of training gloves. They come in 12oz, 14oz, and
16oz options. Generally for training you go with a lighter
glove, usually 14oz. These will keep you from hurting
yourself or your partner, but aren't as heavy as what's
used in the ring.
Stage #3
Practice with a partner. I understand not everyone will be able to find a
training partner, but for those who are committed to self defense and
street combat, there is no replacement for having a live person to practice
on. Specifically, it is very difficult to train grabs, locks, holds, and
takedowns without a partner. A heavy bag will suffice for most striking
moves, but it simply can't train everything.
For any move you want to train:
Start out very slowly with your partner. Just go through the motions so you
can get an idea of how the mechanics work. Stay at a slow pace until
you're both comfortable with the techniques, and then gradually increase
the speed until you reach your max. Always stay under control and be
careful not to injure your training partner.
When training chokes, joint locks, and other submission moves, be sure you
have an established 'tap' move. Be very careful to slowly increase pressure
to give your partner a chance to tap out before any damage is done. When
practicing takedowns, always use proper mats and equipment to avoid
injury.
Here is some gear that will help you train more efficiently with your
partner:
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Grappling Gloves
If a good grappling game is what you're after, you'll need
yourself some grappling gloves. These are used to train
in MMA and are good for sports like Muay Thai which
require both striking and grappling. These gloves are
much less padded, so use caution when power striking or
sparring with an opponent. However, they allow you to
practice grappling, while still padding your knuckles for
striking. These are best used to train combinations in
kick boxing or for practicing ground combat with a sparring partner.
Punch Mitts
When you're ready to start training with a partner,
you're going to want to start out with punch mitts.
These are simply hand pads, used to simulate moving
targets. The partner holds them out, allowing the
attacker to train combinations and attack different
targets. Be sure to agree on specific movements and
combinations beforehand and always wear boxing
gloves to avoid injuring your partner.
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While not everyone will be able to find a training partner, it's a great way to
take your skills to the next level. If not, don't worry. You're still going to
be at a HUGE advantage over an untrained fighter just by practicing strikes
and grappling on your own. You can still greatly improve your skills using
heavy bags, reflex bags, and grappling dummies.
For training power, there's nothing like a heavy bag. Even the best fighters
spend a large amount of time training on a heavy bag. It's great for
endurance and generating more power in your strikes. It sounds easy, but
wait til you go all out on a heavy bag for 30 seconds. It's a great workout.
To train your accuracy, speed, and reflexes, you can do very well with a
simple reflex bag. These bags bounce and move as they are struck,
allowing you to practice slipping, dodging, and counter punching, on top of
strikes and combos. Don't forget this important piece.
For ground striking and submission training, you can get yourself a grappling
dummy. This is a type of heavy bag that is lighter and can be moved around
to practice throws and ground striking. Some grappling dummies have
limbs like a person that allow you to practice joint locks and submissions as
well. A simple grappling bag is a great way to practice and visualize ground
striking and transitions.
Many of the moves you've just learned can be used pretty easily right out of
the box. Theyre fairly simple, easy to learn, and cause severe damage
when performed properly. Do not demonstrate your new moves on
unsuspecting friends and family members as you can easily injure them or
even kill them in some cases. Just because they seem easy to perform,
doesn't mean they can't cause serious long lasting injury.
This is powerful information which is normally only taught to trained
fighters, law enforcement, and Army forces. Knowing this information
requires that you accept some large responsibilities.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, my research and many years of experience in street combat
and self defense really boil down to a couple key points. While martial arts
do play a role in being a good fighter, the real secret to being a good street
fighter is having a game plan and executing when the time comes. This
means knowing what to expect, and reacting with a preset action without a
second thought.
Deception, distraction, and explosive action are all critical elements of
being a good street fighter. You can spend your whole life training karate
and martial arts, but when it comes down to it, 10-15 seconds of explosive
action is all that is needed. Choose your triggers carefully and play to your
strengths when it comes to striking and grappling. Choose a small set of
moves that best suit you and master them.
Studies have shown that it takes about 7,000 repetitions to build the muscle
memory needed to master a skill. This means that in order to truly be able
to perform a skill well under pressure, you'll need to perform it correctly
about 7,000 times. That's why it takes years to master martial arts and
combat sports.
Fortunately, you don't need to learn or even know every move. Take the
simple skills taught in this program and master them. You won't need a
huge arsenal of moves to dominate a street fight. Nowhere near it.
Remember that you generally have about 10 seconds of action. Once your
trigger goes off, attack quickly and relentlessly. Keep on the offensive and
don't let them recover. That's all it takes.
If necessary, subdue your opponent using any combination of compliance
holds taught above until help arrives. If you don't have that luxury, your
only real option is to batter your opponent until they immobilized. This
isn't 3rd grade, your safety is at risk. Eliminate the threat, then deal with
the aftermath later.
I wish you the best of luck with the program. If you have any questions,
feel free to contact me at any time: alex@howtofight.net
Alex Lorenzo