BIGGEST MISTAKE Defending Punches in STREET... How to FIX IT

How to FIX the Biggest Mistake Untrained people make when defending wild punches in a street fight. This week we remix some of our videos to remind you of the key points when blocking and defending punches in self defence encounters.
About Us
ELEVATING YOUR FIGHT IQ: Videos blending Martial Arts, Crime Science, and Psychology.
Presented by Dr Mark Phillips Criminal Psychologist, Security Consultant, Martial Arts and Defensive Skills Instructor. An expert in Organised Crime, Hostage Taking, and Offender Profiling. Martial arts experience includes Wing Chun, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Wrestling, Boxing, San Da Kickboxing, and MMA.
Weekly Self Defence and Martial Arts video releases every Wednesday. Topics Covered: Coping with Criminal Behaviour, Self Defence Techniques, Street Fighting Tips, Mindset Preparation, as well as general tips on how to defend yourself.
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[@Mr440c]

Honestly the last bit is the most important here. Being able to not look away, flinch or back down whenever getting hit is one of the most valuable hard acquired skills. In sports as well many knock outs could have been avoided by simply meeting the agression with your own forward momentum. It's just so counterintuitive that it's so hard to do.

[@alexcisotto3007]

Lee Morrison teaches to do so too

[@PedroCochero777]

real good comment... that's the problem here, you can't stand there and try to block hits. You have to move forward into the oppponent though. If you don't move forward your getting hit and you don't know how hard the attacker hits. Thats the problem with holding your hands up to your head too. If the attacker hit hard you would punch yourself. By the way the attacker in this clip doesn't focus on the target. You can simulate a hard hit with an medicine ball. Your partner just throws the ball to your chest or head you'll stop the incoming energy by holding your arms infront of you. Don't catch the ball just let him bounce back and fall to the ground.

[@Mr440c]

@@PedroCochero777 the practice with a ball is very interesting! Our trainer gives us a day of workout with these heavy balls from time to time. I happen to miss that one reason why we do this beside training our muscles for throwing and striking. Thank you for your input!

[@PedroCochero777]

@Mister here the explanation of the medicine ball exercise: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaLHaXaCq76VaNk

[@PedroCochero777]

and thanks for the feedback👍🏻 just try it, you will feel how the body reacts. And one further step, let the ball drop and than punch several times in the air... have fun...

[@rich99global]

Another brilliant video. He understands and talks us through the chaos of a "street fight" - wild, flailing swings at your head, coming at you at 100mph. That's certainly what I've seen happen in the UK and a few other countries. (But it will be different if you're up against a trained fighter or a planned, surprise attack). His strategy strikes me (pun intended) as realistic and workable. Not too complicated. Another thing I appreciate about Fight Science is he always says (or implies) that you're gonna get hit and you're gonna get hurt, no matter what you do. That's reality, a Steven Seagal movie isn't.

[@TheCivildecay]

The getting hurt part is why I avoid getting into fights to begin with :)

[@dublinoseven3279]

“Hey! You kids get off my roof!”

[@jinyow5581]

Roofs inside empty buildings everywhere ,but His Wing Chun Studio ... 🤫😂

[@WestSide3374]

Lmao 🤣

[@shanebrown8146]

Rooftop training & wall mounted dummy is cultural in Wing Chun = lack of space & relative privacy.

[@shanebrown8146]

Thanks for content, even when I was fast enough to get the stick on the inside I always opted for the outside, far easier to disrupt their center & safer. Great advice for a realistic defence.

[@jinyow5581]

@@shanebrown8146 In China sure in London no !

[@beerye3750]

I've trained MMA for quite a few years, and I approve this video. Some self-defence videos are actually very dangerous. Just a note that not looking away or turtling is very hard to resist doing.

[@tripeee58]

That last bit is ridiculously true & simple; Not Turning your head!! I can’t tell you how many fights I’ve seen where people do that. Dead ☠️ on sir!

[@eddiehazard3340]

I've been teaching "fortress fighter" boxing guard to my fighters for years... It's amazing how fast they learn it. And once they can catch the punches on their arms, ducking and slipping and bob/weave skills come almost naturally. In Muay Thai it's called "Shell" position and in boxing it's called "Fortress Fighter" and a similar technique is "peek a boo". Very good videos you have here...keep it rocking!

[@fightscience]

Thank you Sir. 🙏

[@naplzt4k]

wtf is "fortress fighter"? Do you mean philly shell style?

[@Levi_Skardsen]

@@naplzt4k Fortress is what's being explained in the video. Philly shell is the bladed stance Mayweather uses.

[@naplzt4k]

@@Levi_Skardsen ty I skimmed it ha...I'm familiar with philly shell but this is the first time hearing of fortress

[@eddiehazard3340]

@@naplzt4k wtf is Philly Shell Style :) Probably same thing. But I always thought of it as "Muay Thai Shell"... had no idea it was called philly. Thx.

[@IMNODOCTOR]

When you attack your attacker - be fierce, be loud, and be more violent.

[@merlinpendragon88]

=]

[@rich99global]

Be loud....that's a good point. A lot of fighting comes down to a psychological battle as well as a physical one.

[@annettesurfer]

For some reason I laugh when being attacked. I'm not sure if it's just a nervous involuntary response, a trained "act crazy" thing, or the glee knowing I'll prevail.

[@yalareksa]

@@annettesurfer I got a lil bit tremor if I knocked out my opponents. That sucks yo knowing that you never get on to fight before.

[@annettesurfer]

@@yalareksa Appears something got lost in translation. Knocking people out wasn't addressed, nor was it something I ever sought to do...I merely wanted to survive the attack. Long time ago, when I was about 15, a gang wanted my leather jacket...and that was one fight I didn't win. They had my arms stretched straight out, with me on my behind and my back against a block wall while they repeatedly kicked my head into it. My brain saw bright flashes and my bladder emptied involuntarily. I suppose that was the beginning of my brain injuries but that only strengthened my resolve to never become a victim again. Although about 10 years later I had something similar happen in another part of town after leaving a bar with a buddy. My friend beat up a guy that wanted to fight and then the stranger called in his gang. My friend escaped but I didn't. I didn't have an ounce of energy left. My rocky raccoon appearance eventually faded and I've vowed never to leave myself vulnerable again, which means giving up alcohol. Well maybe just one drink every blue moon.

[@Brainhoneywalker]

I love how you explain and demonstrate. If I were even ten years younger, I would move to your location to study with you. There are so many instinctive unhelpful reactions to fighting that we’ve never taught to react properly to. Thank you for clearing so many of these up. I have never been in an actual fight, but if that unfortunate event occurs, if I’m lucky enough to hear a voice, I hope it’s yours. Thank you so much.

[@kuzniets8694]

Such a nice comment. I hope more people would think and write like this. I wish you well! Cheers!

[@assoverteakettle]

I appreciate how Mark Phillips has adapted and evolved his approach and this channel over the years from a traditional wing chun centric approach to a more modern practical fighting approach by reverse engineering and adapting wing chun into more of a set of guiding principles rather than the traditionally rigid and aesthetic techniques and forms of wing chun -- that in my opinion -- has really held wing chun's modern progress.

[@free2flow]

Totally agree. Getting exposed to Balintawak, boxing, grappling really opened my eyes on the possibilities in WC.

[@vincentlee7359]

Yes.

[@pablodestiny]

@@vincentlee7359 Agree.

[@J3Cho]

I think he mentioned before that by putting any ‘wing chun related’ titles in his videos, he usually gets more hate comments and received less views. That’s why he changed most of his titles to general self defense titles. The funny part is that he mentions that the himself uses wing chun principles/approaches in his video. The adjustment he made is not putting any “wing chun” stuffs in the title but the contents are the same.

[@vincentlee7359]

@@J3Cho Adapted basically

[@vincentdesiano4861]

There’s no substitute for training and repetition.

[@selecks6462]

Yeah, people who are not use to fighting tent to panic when someone jabs them on the face

[@willhoneycutt6315]

absolutely!!

[@vincentdesiano4861]

Learning to box is a big advantage in a street fight. I never boxed competitively, used to spar with a friend of mine who was a former boxer. He did not go easy on me, so l had to learn fast. One day l got into a street fight with a guy who had a reputation as a street fighter. He just started throwing punches, but because l knew how to bob and weave from the sparring sessions, he didn’t even come close to hitting me. It was only later that l found out about his reputation, which surprised me because not only did he not connect, he had poor form (arm punches). So from that experience l would say that learning to box does not require a big investment in time and can be very effective in the streets. This will dramatically increase the chances of hitting, without being hit.

[@selecks6462]

@@vincentdesiano4861 from the perspective of people who don't know how to fight probably the guy throwing a lot of punches looks like he is winning, from the perspective of anyone with training it will probably feels like sparring with the noob at the gym, I haven't had the opportunity to fight a street thug, not that go looking for fights

[@mrbranson73]

Glock

[@eyelidman09]

Maybe obvious, but not to non trained members of the public, very helpful. Thanks.

[@eyelidman09]

I won’t pardon you. You’re entitled to your opinion, but you are being totally disrespectful to Mr Phillips who is trying his best to educate subscribers to his channel, of which I am one. You’re out of order. Period.

[@lakeoft]

@Late to the Game "Pak is forward in Wing Chun." Only for those who are excessive narrow-minded, purblind. Wing Chun is concept-based martial art. Go back to the desk to learn good manners (too).

[@BigStib]

@Late to the Game 😆🤣😂 "the pak is forward in Wing Chun". So much to unpack in that statement. So, here's a tip. Love the forms, but don't be in love with them. They and the movements in them are an artificial construct. As you will know, in Wing Chun, in particular, they are not trained as applications but highy-simplified, almost abstract elements of movements designed as a means to practice, refine and render instinctive very particular, efficient movements in contact. They focus at first on the core features of each movement, the strikes, shapes etc, but these are expanded as the system progresses, and when applied in partner work. The point is their function starts and finishes in application. The reality is the forms and the names are just tools to enable an almost infinite variety of shades of movement, which would otherwise be difficult to communicate, to be distilled into a manageable range, and be practiced and explained effectively. The movements of course actually don't have neat starts and finishes. Think of a rowing stroke, and if you were to teach each element distinctly: the catch, the drive, the pull, the feather, coming forward (but which one is the start btw?). They are actually one thing, a stroke, but it can be helpful to break them down to work on each element. However the boundaries between the elements overlap and flow, whilst what one trainer makes the divide and/or calls the elements may vary (this is in fact very common in Chinese martial arts. Masters and their different students when they themselves came to teach frequently could be found using the same name for different movements, and vice a versa). So was it a reverse pak, a short pak, a fading pak, a lateral man-wu feeding a rising shoulder line wu with the other hand, a guiding pak transitioning to a preparation for a potential rising/butting/dropping elbow or short bie tse or falling palm strike or inside kwan kuen or jut sau to the head/shoulder or...well, you get the point. The purpose of this clip was to discuss application; to address one commonly-encountered real life context, ie someone who is close and striking repeatedly. It featured straightforward core classical WC techniques and concepts, but incidentally did so in a way which addressed a weakness of some contemporary WC instructors, which is to spend too long teaching those techniques/concepts in the abstract, and especially without the intensity/energy of real encounters. Highly simplified, the tactic is to stop ourselves being damaged in the body/head by using our arms, work to the outside, be in a position to attack effectively ourselves and then do so, in one continuous flow of movement (or "go", if you like). To achieve this, some relative passing movement will almost always be required, and that will generally mean there will be a point in momentary contact which is "going backwards" (that doesn't mean it has to be getting closer to our centre or that our bridge is shortening - think about that and now the implications for a "pak going forward"/having forward pressure btw) from when it was made. What that transitioning movement is called really doesn't matter. It's just a label to help explain one element in a complex series of movements, which are themselves just one example of the things you might apply, when adopting the simple tactical approach being discussed here. Look at the wood not the trees. Saying that, there are plenty of WC/WT/VT practitioners who would call what he did, what he did. I would and I'm from a different part of the family. That was a rising version. There are falling ones too. They make even more sense when you remember that Wing Chun concepts are designed to apply to weapon use (in fact arguably that's where they make most sense, not least because that's what most practitioners would have used prior to the commercialisation/repackaging of Chinese martial arts as mainly hand combat systems in the late 1800s). In this case, some of what is being demonstrated can be found in the core concepts for knife/short sword vs long pole/polearm. Just imagine the strikes are spear thrusts. Except in that case, the long bridges, inappropriate in our scenario here, begin to make much more sense. And there's lots of passing movements to allow for closing to striking range.

[@RizztrainingOrder]

“A lot of people get punched in fights” Yes…. Yes they do sometimes

[@leefriday3428]

😭

[@isaacmartinez7557]

Sometimes

[@ArcanZA]

While closing in keep an eye on the hands to see that the attacker do not pull a knife on you.

[@danielc.5724]

Fr, eyes on the claws

[@jonothandoeser]

Aim yu blows to his throat, not his head.

[@toyotadude6771]

Yeah if all else fails, just run. It's not worth it, and nobody really gives a shit about calling you a "coward". I just want to get home, not trying to prove a man point

[@mordi2537]

Why would you leave home without Your knife?

[@kenlee-97]

@@toyotadude6771 good point, I WAS thinking the same thing- because I saw so many open places where he could be easily knocked out in this video.

[@mds6860]

Ive probably watched at least a dozen of your vids and they all are extremely well thought and produced...Thank you very much for producing these.

[@aimatexcellence3828]

Well thought out and well articulated. Thank you for sharing. I will definitely watch more of your videos!

[@tarakb7606]

Great video. Many thanks to the both of you.

[@ives3572]

Properly intercepting or blocking your attacker's hands or arms is a pretty effective way of mitigating the damage of the punches; and don't just block or intercept, learn to slip, parry, and counter his shots.

[@trinidad510]

You should never block by reaching out at your opponents strikes, that movie style kung fu stuff doesn't work in real life. There's a reason why boxing and Muay Thai never reach out to block because it will end in disaster, always keep your guard tight against your head slip your head off of the centerline constantly, that's the most effective way. But trying to intercept a punch is about the dumbest thing you can do

[@prsee5969]

You explain so simply… truly a great teacher. Wish I could take your classes.

[@cgvagf]

Always good, sound, logical advice!!

[@KVAGELIS1]

Awesome video ,thx Sifu Mark !!!!

[@ricvourn6404]

Great basics, I love the focus on basics. Thanks for the tune up.

[@alexgaroufalidis-music7167]

Always grand...thank you. ☯️

[@paulbramucci7586]

Thanks for the tips,and your articulate presentation is awesome 👌

[@brandonl9985]

Thank you, Teacher...God bless you and your family always...

[@Kittenkattan]

Excellent advice! Thank you.

[@ken244]

I have been training in multiple styles of fighting arts for many years. In my opinion with out a doubt this man knows what he is talking about and has some great pointers.

[@damone70]

Sounds like the styles you practiced were not that effective.

[@nxlifeenterprises9150]

Excellent video for those not good with dealing with punches coming in towards the face and head

[@NellyNel2023]

Thank again sensei! So simple but so effective

[@TwistedMist77]

This is pretty legit similar to what we learn in Krav Maga You don't really wanna be on the defensive very much you can only block so much its much better to get offensive as soon as possible and disrupt there momentum.

[@harrysmith3502]

Love this guy!

[@jamtmann]

Really good stuff and well presented, thank you...

[@MiguelMedV]

These people and this channel are a treasure in KZbin 👌🏼...

[@DS-316]

Great teacher. Is in total control of his method and the points he makes , well done

[@user-uc2vr9dp5o]

Quality videos! Love your stuff!

[@strategicprepper2648]

Again!! Great stuff!!

[@flylord4927]

Simple and effective! Great!

[@daviddjc1999]

Always enjoy your videos, have learned a lot.

[@djfglobal3377]

Fast paced and informative.

[@craighouston7797]

One of your best videos.

[@Nixie_536]

Thank you 😊 for the good word, Dr.Mark 😬✊🏻these streets can be mean. 🛡 🔰 🛡

[@Go_Show95]

Great instruction as always 😎💪🏻

[@secohen73]

Great stuff, as always, Mark.

[@jamespisano1164]

Thanks for sharing.

[@joemacinnis1972]

Thanks for all the useful information! I learned to not get fancy in a fight. Stick to basics and try to end quickly!

[@danblekeberg2470]

All your video's are awesome, thanks again !

[@mcroadracer1]

I agree. Well done

[@johncox2912]

Great video, even for advanced students. One can never cover the basics too much! They're what keep you alive when SHTF.

[@desmo2356]

I love your channel! I want to move to London just to train with you. Keep up the great work 👍

[@censoredart2929]

THANK YOU SIR! Blessings

[@taroshindo6871]

You say it's beginner stuff but even for an experienced martial artist it's still revelatory. Great stuff.

[@dyslo9216]

Thanks doctor, that is a great explanation of defending punches for beginners. Also a great refresher for experienced fighters. 🙏👍🏻

[@martinhblake]

Absolutely usefull class.

[@MJFUYT]

Great video. 💯🥊

[@MatisseStLaurent]

This was wonderful! Thank you for sharing this life saving information. I immediately subscribed.

[@brandensmith759]

Always love the break down appreciate you

[@bennieanderson7449]

Thank you so much this is such great information on to defend your self not how to just hurt people. Love this channel 👍🏽

[@supremepiping1191]

Perfect coach

[@drive-byguitarlessons1858]

Excellent info, as usual

[@DarrenDunlop]

Another great one 👍🏻

[@dallascowboys1683]

Your videos are awesome!

[@victor4advice]

Very good and accurately stated.

[@tsaltslinger3268]

Excellent tutorial, Dr., excellent!

[@agricolaurbanus6209]

I agree. Never block just for the sake of blocking. Always have a next step in mind.

[@timothyvotaw7517]

Always useful and practical methods from the good doctor. This cat is a great resource of fighting the kind of situations that occur "on the street". Not pretty, but effective. Thanks much.

[@rubatsch1713]

very informative. Thanks

[@ib722]

No rebuddle here dude is on point!

[@jonathancummings6400]

I love the concept of blocking in a way that puts you on the OUTSIDE of their arms. This gentleman has brilliant concepts for defense, then counterattacking in a fight. He's created his own entire martial arts fighting system.

[@mrbruc3lee]

I love your video .. You show us how to keep what is use full and reject the useless

[@scottlaroc7396]

I love the concept, will definitely add to my practice.

[@caesarforlife1663]

Best advice I've seen. 👍

[@learnpianofastonline]

I am not new to training but I always enjoy review of the basics.

[@deankelz29]

randomly come across this video by typing in mma classes london...you done a good job mate with explaining and demonstrating and making it easy to take in ...keep up the good work

[@seansartor]

WOW This is EXCELLENT !!!!

[@godofwarfightingforce7928]

Thanks for the video

[@notentitledtoyourownfacts2551]

well done sir!

[@garymason2474]

Brilliant video

[@evilzombies6467]

you're best wing chun teacher.

[@alancurren378]

Great video. You describe things very well. Thanks. 🙂

[@robertschlesinger1342]

Good advice and good video.

[@n8maintenance]

excellent tips 🤙🏼

[@Ghost141it]

Finally someone that cover from punch in the right way

[@kallies8622]

Thanks, great insides. Proof's once again, one can train muscles and technics as much as one wants. If the theroy is missing it doesn't help much.

[@yuppy1967]

Good stuff, thanks!

[@yewknight]

When I switched from a TMA to boxing one of the biggest things I had to unlearn was all of those grandiose blocking movements in the tma. This is definitely something most traditional arts get very wrong.

[@williegarrett7587]

I love boxing, been triaining for years, he’s absolutely right💪🏿

[@a.d.c7941]

I really enjoy your training.

[@jessemalan748]

Loved this. Thank hank you so much.

[@juliochingaling5824]

excellent brother

[@Josji22]

This is verry solid advice.

[@mike-ology22]

Great advice

[@AgentHomer]

This is boxing. You've invented boxing. Great job.

[@mauricefaulkner455]

Excellent tutorial

[@Ve-suvius]

Keep up the good vibes! Great video.

[@stevenhaff3332]

Thank you!

[@Silvereagledude]

Good stuff!

[@AlexEinherjar]

Great video sifu Mark. What I teach my students as a principle is: if it's a straight attack, deflect it; if it's a curved/angled attack, break the momentum or get out of the way and back in after they miss. Then I'll go elaborating little by little on more complex ideas.

[@LK-bz9sk]

I like the preference to move off midline to outside if possible. This is a good video. Thanks sir.

[@factualgolf]

Great video and explanation on how to defend punches.

[@fightscience]

Thank you Sir. 🙏

[@markstevens3999]

Well done guys

[@iansullivan9738]

I was taught to "comb the hair" with the same arm for hooks, opposite arm for straight shots. This helps guard the side of the head against hooks, will position for a strong counterpunch against a straight, and keeps the arms where they need to be to defend against a follow-up.