Real Fighting: Adrenaline Stress Conditioning Through Scenario-Based Training

Being the author of several books on the martial arts and fighting, I am always looking for books of exceptional quality to add to my library. If I have a book in my library, it's definitely worth owning. One such book is Peyton Quinn's, "Real Fighting." I found Peyton's book to be a very good "reality check" for those of you out there that think that your "martial art" is superior to everyone else's. Well guess what, its not! As every person who has more than a passing resemblance to a human being will tell you, there are no superior martial arts, just superior martial artists. The most important thing to remember when reading this, or any book dealing with self-defense techniques, is that the principles behind the technique are far more important than the technique itself. Peyton does a great job of this, and you would do well to sit down and read this book from cover to cover several times in order to grasp what he is trying to teach you. Although I thoroughly enjoyed what Peyton had to teach in his book, I must admit that I am not a big fan of the generalization that seems to take place when people compare "real fighting" to the martial arts. It seems that a lot of the martial arts are pigeonholed into the prevalent "McDojo's" that seem to be so popular these days. That simply is not the case. Peyton is one of the few "self-defense" authors out there that seems to realize this. He not only respects the teachings of the martial arts, but also understands their overall purpose and the benefits derived from them for those of us that study and live the martial way. I am a traditionally trained martial artist in both Karate and Tae Kwon Do, as well as being ranked in several other disciplines. However, unlike a lot of schools that seem to have degenerated down to teaching a diluted "sport" version of these arts, I was fortunate enough to be taught the practical version of each technique alongside the traditional version. A lot of traditional martial artists may find the information contained in this books a little disheartening, but take it from me, if you have one ounce of sense you will buy this book and study it. And when you think your finished and have learned everything in this book, take it off the shelf and read it again. I think we would all do well to remember that the most important element that the martial arts teach you is not technique, but self-discipline!

Well let me start off by saying I knew most of what was in this book from experience. However if you don't want to find out the hard ways (a series of brutal atacks from "bully" types), then you should invest in this book. Let me explain what you will get. The first part of the book is dedicated to explaining what a "Bully" type personality, and woofing really is. The "Interview" as it is called is peyton word for the intial verbal bashing the Bully type gives you before an attack. Quinn also explains that the "interview" is the process the bully takes to select a victim. Quinn goes indepth by explaining in a straight forward amnner that Bullies aren't looking for what your thinking, but instead looking for a sense of power over another person. Made since to me. It also explained why every smuck in North Carolina had to waste my valueable time picking a fight with me, and why when I made it clear they were going to have to put some work into beating me down then they retreated. Quinn expands on thes thoughts with the effectiveness of senario based training. Quinn explains how senario based training can indoctrinate an indivual in as little as a weeks time. At some points, unfortunaly, it sounds like he is just advertiseing for RMCAT, or it is some kind of manifesto. Still the book was of great value since it explained in frank english the truth about fighting. Most of the self defense books I hve seen only showed me techniques, some were more effective techniques than other. However, in stressfull situations the techniques did me no good. This book explained to me what I actually needed to make those techniques effective. I need to control myself. The battle is decided before the first two sword ever cross.

First, I must say, that I am sorry I did not read this book years ago. And, I wish such a book was in print in the 1970's when I began my search for realistic self-defense training.The author's philosophy of training for real life encounters is extremely accurate. Although, it is not supported by scientific research, such as the book by Bruce Siddle "Sharpening the Warriors Edge" a book designed for police training in lethal encounters. Yet, Quinn basis this concept on practical experience and a realistic understanding of what truly takes place during a fight. Which is very refreshing in todays world of unrealistic mythical martial arts that make fictitious claims about there style of self-defense abilty.The concept is simple, inoculate the mind and body to the effects of stress (FEAR) created adrenaline; to overcome the effects so as to prevail in any given self-defense situation. To create this level of skill one must train under circumstances as close to realistic as possible. This means actual hand to hand combat at close to full force and power as one can safely accomplish. As the author states, and I agree 100%, boxing is as close and as realistic of a form of training for this process of inoculation yet, most people do not have the time or the desire to submitt to the practice necessary to achieve the goal. So, Quinn has designed a system of training that achieves a level of competence that is sufficient to meet the desired goal.The Law Enforcement community formally realized this about 15 years ago with the dynamic scenario (RED MAN) training. Although, police academies for years prior had required cadets to box or wrestle full contact. That is before the politically correct individuals got involved and said that women officers should not have to fight the men officers, and that this is a kinder gentler society. So, no one in police academies have boxed or trained at full contact now for over 20 years. No wonder, there are so many lawsuits filed against police agencies for excessive and unlawful use of force! The officers were not given the proper training and inoculation to this adrenaline stress so, they over react. I digress only to make a point of fact in reference to this concept of training. The book maintains a practical view of self-defense. That is, situational awareness and perception of a threat and then avoidance of said threat is the best technique. Avoidance and preemption is always the best strategy. One must achieve the proper mindset and mental preparation before any technique can be effective. The individual must be conditioned to control and channel the effects of fear and the adrenaline stress that follows it. Once this is accomplished the individual can now concern himself with the physical skills and techniques of hand to hand combat. Without this conditioned response to the adrenaline stress, all else is useless. Buy the book and include this type of training into your self-defense program. This book is for all peo

I read the reviews of my book and I was very happy to see the high rateings it got. But I also found most of the critisisms of it quite valid too. Hence I want to address them.The major negative critic I see here is thatI just define the true problem in self defense very well.But that I suggest the only solution is to come to Colorado to my RMCAT, adrenal stess conditioning training camp (RMCAT.COM)for a weekend(many have done so too from many different countries and every American city)But, many can not afford the time or money to do this. Hence, at thr request of the National Association of Profesional Martial Artists (NAPMA.com), I have developed a version of the RMCAT training for their martial arts schools(of which thee are 2000). Hence, you may find this program taught localy, they call it EZ Defense. Peace be with you all. Peyton Quinn

This guy has been a bouncer in some of the toughest bars in the country and he also holds rank in several martial arts, but his take on real world self defense is surprising indeed. He identifies the real problem in defending oneself against a real world assailant and it just isn't about "martial technique" at all. He offers really priceless insights into how to avoid a fight and how to spot an ambush or "interviewer" who's conversation or threats ( woofs) are designed to see if you are safe to attack. This information is priceless, yet I have never even seen this discussed in my whole libray of martial arts "how to do it" books. Yet, when I read this stuff I know I have seen this before myself in every real fight I ever saw . Yet he puts it togeather in a way that makes sense, it's understandable, clear and very practical and usefull on the street. I read his first book, "A Bouncer's Guide to Barroom Brawling" and that one started me really thinking, it dealt with techniques and drills mostly but still presented the basic problem of adrenal stress and how most people are just not prepared to deal with "stand up agression" and how the aggressor knows this and counts on it. But in this last book he gets right down to it, Showing you how and why you must deal with "tough guys" & aggresive and hostile people before the fists start to fly. It also makes very clear what "proper combat mindset" is all about and to shift gears and "be there" if it comes to a real fight. If you are into martial arts, but especially if you are a martial arts instructor, or self defense program instructor, this is adefinitely a must read. But anybody can learn a great deal from it even if they have no intrest in martial arts at all.