Look, I don’t consider myself a “tough guy.”
But I’ve been studying martial arts and combatives since I was 14.
And… well… let’s just say that I’ve been in my share of fights along the way – whether in my security work… dealing with local gangs in the seedier parts of New Mexico… or just defending myself from a big galoot in a bar.
And when I wasn’t able to talk my way out of a fight…
…there was one move that has ALWAYS worked for me!
And ironically, even though it was born out of the deadly “trench fighting” combatives for WW2 soldiers, it was actually intended to be so simple that it was incredibly effective even for WOMEN fighting off a bigger, stronger attacker!
Yup, that’s right… in all the times I’ve had to go hands-on with some gorilla who wanted to take my head off, this one “woman’s” fight move has NEVER failed me.
This One Single Move Comes Straight From The Dirty “Trench Fighting” Of WW2 And…
This Is Absolutely My #1, NEVER FAIL, “Go-To” Fight Move For Real Street Fights!
Now, I understand that using the word “NEVER” opens up a world of disbelief, but honestly, I’ve used it several times and it’s so simple to pull off that I haven’t even had to “think” about it and it’s taken down guys much bigger than me.
But I didn’t invent this move…
You see, W.E. Fairbairn – one of the LEGENDS of World War II combatives – described it in his books.
He called it the “chin jab” – but it really isn’t a jab at all.
It’s really a “palm heel strike” that goes up under the chin (and if you want, you can rake your fingers back down the guy’s face – but that’s not how I use it. More on that below…).
Here’s Why Fairbairn Found This One Move So Effective For Close-Quarters Combat “Trench Fighting”…
First of all, this move comes up from UNDER the eye line, so your attacker won’t see it coming like they would a regular “punch”.
But then it jolts the skull back, putting the bad guy off balance.
(Where the head goes, the body goes, you know?)
This gives you the option to follow up with even more powerful blow (like a sweeping roundhouse kick to his quadricep).
It even has the power to (scientifically) knock a guy out with just this one single blow.
And while this one move works pretty well “one-handed” for a strong guy, like the soldiers he designed it for, Fairbairn knew that it would be a lot harder for a woman to use against someone who is usually much bigger and physically stronger than her.
For a woman to SNAP a guy’s head back requires more strength than she’d probably have with one hand alone.
So Fairbairn taught a modified chin jab that is done with BOTH hands.
He even showed a variation of the technique on the cover of his book, Hands Off! Self-Defense For Women.
On the cover of the book, …a woman uses an umbrella for leverage.
It’s a beautiful move – especially because it was the favorite of one of the world’s foremost authorities on vicious, efficient, life-or-death combat.
That’s why I use it, too – because if it’s good for a woman, it’s even better for me!
In A Real Fight You Need To End It FAST – Especially Against An Attacker Who’s Much Bigger And Stronger Than You!
For me, I don’t limit myself to using just one hand to (hopefully) make contact and get my attacker back on his heels… when I can use TWO hands to absolutely take his head off!
That’s why Fairbairn taught it for smaller people to take on larger people (women fighting off men) and even included versions for women to use pressure points under the chin to get some dirty old bastard to keep his groping hands to himself! hahahaha
It’s also why, to this day, this one move has NEVER failed me whenever I’ve used it in a fight – even against guys who towered over me!
In fact, in our “Defeat Larger Attackers” program, I even show how to use this technique when you’re getting absolutely destroyed by your attacker (actually even multiple attackers) and turn the odds back in your favor.
Look… just because some guy is bigger and stronger than you doesn’t mean you can’t beat him!
Fairbairn knew that well… and developed some of the most brutal techniques in the world for life-or-death combat.
All it takes are a few of these moves in your hand-to-hand arsenal and you’ll be amazed at how much confidence it gives you, knowing that you can physically “own” any man stupid enough to get in your face!
Sounds good to me!
I used to use this when I was younger. Now I’m 93 and not anywhere as agile as I used to be…………good luck to me……….cause I just can’t run anymore either!
A brass headed cane with a hardwood shaft. Think 1.5 pound hammer with a 3 ft handle that will not break.
Don’t forget to kick him in the nuts while you’re at it! 🙂
I believe that strategy plays a huge part in fighting, not just strength and power or even speed.
People need to use the environment and how to apply techniques and movement. They should be able to use cars, walls, obstacles to their advantage, and know how to identify weapons.
Those old techniques are simple and solid.
Thanks for the reminder! This old gal needs them.
I can no longer punch do to arthritis in my fingers, but the palm strike certainly can be used in its place. Coming up from below the sightline and torquing that strike is powerful no matter the size. Good article!
A good follow up is a punch or hard slap to the family jewels.
A variation is using an impact weapon. This could be a flashlight, can of beans or anything else that can be gripped in one or both hands with an inch or more of protrusion. Aim for the top of the throat where the neck meets the underside of the jaw. Grip the item tightly and strike as hard as you can. Too far in you’ll impact the throat, too far out you will strike the underside of the chin. Any hard impact like this will kill or disable an attacker long enough for you to escape or use other defensive strike.
This is a great technique and I have never seen it in my years of martial arts training. I’ve found a good backfist when I turn a bit and they think I’m done upside the head works wonders as a woman. Had to use it a couple times.