Paul Vunak

3. Always Strike First

This may seem contrary to what you learned in grade school. If you want to win a fight, STRIKE FIRST! If you don't, you will be reacting rather than acting. In short, 99.9% of the time...you will lose.

Warning: DO NOT DEPEND UPON ONE TECHNIQUE OR PUNCH TO END THE CONFLICT!

We all like to believe that, like John Wayne or Dirty Harry, we have this one haymaker punch that will knock anyone's lights out. You don't! Few people do. If you did, you'd still be a fool to rely upon it. Continue your attack on your attacker until you have undoubtedly and unquestionably stopped the threat. Anything short is a gamble with your own wellbeing. Learn a small stable of target points. Knees strikes, foot stomps, one knuckle floating rib shots, throat crushes, eye jabs, head butts...whatever.

4. Create your personal "First & Best" move arsenal

Most great fighters have a stable or arsenal of personal favorite moves. It's imperative that you learn a few reliable and devastating moves to pull out when you need them most.

These moves should be easy to learn and master and not rely upon a high degree of athleticism. Simple and pragmatic techniques like foot stomps, head butts, eye gouges, groin kicks can be utilized in almost any location, in any weather, wearing just about any clothes.

Fancy disarms and joint locks are cool and can work if you practice them. But you'll serve yourself well to start with choices that involve gross natural motor skills. That will make them reliable. Learn the sensitive and vulnerable targets of the body and attack, attack, attack with a flurry of your personal "First and Best" moves.