140 Combat Moves - Self Defence and Street Fighting

In this section you will learn basic principles including how to make a fist and how to throw an effective punch combination. You will learn key striking points and pressure points and how to open and close your opponent.

We will also show you how to stand correctly, how to execute basic blocks and how to cover up if you are attacked.

You have multiple weapons at your disposal, not just your hands. Here amongst other techniques, we show you how to deliver a devastating shin kick, how to avoid receiving one and how to (to quote The Karate Kid's John Kreese) sweep the leg.

We would recommend that, if you do find yourself on the floor, you get back onto your feet as quickly as you can. Here we offer you some ways you can do this.

We don’t recommend you try ground fighting. In reality, ground fighting is very difficult to maintain as you get tired very quickly. Also, you can only attach one person at a time. So, if the person you’re fighting has got a friend, and you have done a takedown, the back of your head will be exposed for them to strike.

From our experience as door staff, pub managers and events security, the most common attack you can expect is a head punch. This is why we spend some time on demonstrating your options to counter this. From grabbing your opponent’s throat to locking their elbows, disabling their arm to bringing them to floor, you will learn them all.

A slightly less common attack is a low punch to the ribs. We will show you how to block and counter with incredible speed and devastating consequences for your opponent.

If someone throws a punch at you and you want to take put them on the floor, we will show you - amongst other moves - how to sweep the leg, roll their head, spin their body and clothesline them to the ground.

If you miss your opportunity to end the fight after your opponent’s first punch, you have to expect multiple punches to come in. We will show you how to cover up and counterattack. This includes headbutts, tearing the ear, introducing your knee, locking them up and taking advantage of pressure points.

If somebody grabs your wrist, it is a natural reaction to try to pull away, or up or down to get out of it. But they’re just not going to get go, especially if they are bigger or stronger than you. So, to get out of it, you need to use your body mechanics and their body mechanics to your advantage.

If your wrist is grabbed, you might want to capitalise on your opponent’s mistake. We will show you how to take advantage of the situation and dominate your opponent in a matter of seconds.

Whether you are grabbed bodily from the front or behind, whether your arms are pinned or you are being choked, there s always a way out. Here we show you simple and effective responses to these threats.

You may be grabbed by the shoulder or, if you are wearing a suit, by the lapel. We show you how to take advantage in these situations, either putting a lock on your opponent or putting them on the floor.

When you are being strangled you only have a few seconds in which to react. Here we show you ways to escape, lock your opponent up, hit a pressure point or bring them to the floor.

If someone tries to push you, we will show you how you can manage the situation, either by delivering an effective counter attack or simply by putting them on the floor.

Attacking people’s arms and joints is used mainly if you want to discourage them from attacking you rather than if you want to hurt them. So these may get you out of trouble but they won’t put the other person down. They’re useful to know but, if you’ve only got the chance to throw one punch, it is always best to aim towards a pressure point like the bridge of the nose or the solar plexus.

If you find yourself involved in a fight, you really want to have it over in just a second or two. However, if you don’t win in that time, you might find yourself in a clinch. This happens when you find yourself very close to your opponent. They might latch onto you so you can’t punch them, or it might be the other way around. So, this is how you deal with very close-in fighting.

Although these techniques are effective, we strongly recommend you don’t get involved in any kind of knife fighting. One false step ad there will be some very obvious, serious consequences. Even if you are experienced in unarmed combat, it’s important to remember that the person with the knife has got a few extra inches of reach and this needs to borne in mind when you are distancing yourself from them.

Saying that, this is what you would use if you absolutely can’t get out of it.

You can also protect yourself with improvised weapons that you are likely to have with you. You can use common objects like rolled up newspapers or magazines, keys or even coins. The key point here is to hit the target areas that we discussed earlier.

You can help your fellow students by leaving a review of this course. The review helps your fellow students make the decision to take the course or not. It helps them understand how your experiences in the course helped you to increase your self-defence knowledge and confidence, and then they can decide if they want to follow in your footsteps.