Fight Course - Day Two

The Ultimate Guide
To Fighting and Winning

By Dr. Russ Horine, President, Fight-Fast Direct, Inc.

Part 2

Dear Friend:

Okay... last I contacted you, I gave you two "fight myths". Well I've got a few more. I don't want to give you the impression that all I've got is entertaining "myths" about fighting, because there's a LOT more to this lesson plan than that. But it's important that I first get some of these wive's tales cleared up before moving on to the "meat and potatoes". So let's move onto Myth #3...

3. The One-Touch Death Move. This is a close cousin to the “One Touch Knock Out”, both of which are very misleading. It’s time to stop concentrating on specific fight techniques and begin focusing in on key targets and strategies.

For example, it’d be tough for someone to sell you a “trademarked death blow” that was nothing more than a simple shove --wouldn’t it? Yet this would indeed be a highly effective “death move” if your opponent happened to be standing at the edge of a high cliff.

You see my point. Yes it is possible to kill an opponent with one punch. In fact, as there are situations where as little as 5-pounds of pressure can end up in death. But what I’m teaching you here is what’s “probable” and not “possible”.

It’s why you don’t see basketball players taking most of their shots from half court. Sure, it’s possible they’ll make it, but a good driving lay-up is far more probable. If you follow some basic fight principles (which I’ll cover in a little bit) it’ll be highly probable that you’ll win.

Oh… and by the way… there are no “trademarked” fight moves – only trademarked fight names. And anyone can trademark a name. In fact, I’m considering trademarking that shove-em-off-the-cliff move as the “Dr. Horine One-Touch Death Move”.

4. The Predictable Reaction. I hear this nonsense all the time and what’s scary is that plenty of fight systems on the market today are based on this myth. It goes something like this; Hit him here, and he’ll do this… then strike him here, and he’ll do that… then throw a blow here, and he’ll drop to the ground like a sack of potatoes. And that’s it… you win. Don’t believe it. My research shows that you’re in for a big surprise if you buy into this regimented “step-by-step” theory of fighting. People – especially those facing a threatening and volatile situation – are wildly unpredictable.

5. The Man-To-Man Fight. Another grand illusion. Most guys imagine (and train for) a fight against one man. Well you can’t depend on that. Stats prove that more times than not your opponent will have “back up” – friends willing to help take you down and kick in your head. This is why it’s critical that you first make quick and effective decisions early on to end the as fight quickly as possible and prepare for more than one adversary.

6. The Convenient Fighting Environment. Dojo training often lulls one into the sense that you’ll always have plenty of fighting room… that your opponent will calmly approach you, bow, and ask if you’re ready… and that the ground will always be nicely padded. The reality is different. I’ve found that most fights occur in tight quarters (a bathroom, between cars, etc), with little or no room for flying kicks or fancy moves. They’ll be no light, furniture in the way, and rough concrete floors to strip meat off your bones. Ouch!

7. The “Undefeatable” System. This is another good one. A series of fighting techniques that can’t be beat -- yeah right. Don’t believe it. As I’ve pointed out, fighting has more to do with proper target acquisition (i.e., hit him in the side of the neck where all the blood and nerves to his brain run), than it has to do with any specific moves and techniques (i.e., a spinning roundhouse kick). So the idea that a collection of techniques is “undefeatable” just isn’t possible.

Here’s a question: What happens when two students of this “undefeatable system” meet in a fight? Hmmm. Guess that means they’ll be kicking their own asses.

8. The Floating Warrior. More Hollywood cult crap that you shouldn’t buy into. There is simply no internal meditation or external training method that can defy the laws of physics. I’ve seen companies actually selling videos on how to “will” yourself lighter (or heavier) so that you can float away, or can’t be picked up, or some such thing. Well here’s a shocker… there’s never been ANY proof that any of those techniques have ever worked.

But hang on… the laws of physics are different than the laws of the human mind. Because surefooted confidence, clearly telecast “alpha signals”, and forcing an opponent “back on his heels” can go miles to (1.) persuading an adversary (especially a “Predator”) that he shouldn’t mess with you or (2.) ending the fight with YOU on top. I’ll talk more about this in a bit, but for now, forget about floating through the treetops.

9. Most Fights Go To The Ground. Most guys are surprised to discover that this is a myth -- but it is. In fact, most street fights and personal combat situations do NOT end up on the ground. Yes, someone ends up on the ground alright, and it’s the loser – with the winner (or winners) standing over him stomping on his head. So why is this myth so common? Well, it comes from the study of police reports. You see, most cops who struggle with an adversary end up on the ground.

Now hold on – doesn’t that contradict what I just said? No, it doesn’t. Because the goal of law enforcement is to “contain, control, comply” (also known as the 3 C’s) – which, by the way, requires more skill than simply winning a street fight. In other words a cop can’t simply eye jab, ear slap, then move in for a knock-out head butt because a dangerous criminal is resisting you. No, an officer’s goal is NOT to end a fight in 3 seconds, but instead to use “reasonable and proportionate escalation of force” to control and contain his subject.

This is different than what happens in a real world street fight and it’s why the stats on “going to the ground” have been skewed. Cops’ rules of engagement are different – so, of the 70 DVD titles I’ve produced, about 15 of them are designed to help law enforcement address the more complex and highly effective “contain, control, and comply” techniques.

Use these techniques on your drunken brother-in-law when you want him out of your house but don’t want to hurt him too bad. When he sobers up he’ll thank you for not landing him in the hospital.

More coming your way, so keep your eyes open...

Russ Horine

Prez, Fight-Fast

P.S. To get your hands this entire fight-book all at once, go to: