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One of the fundamental concepts of Personal Defense is using one's strengths against an attacker's weaknesses.  When I was in high school, I had a friend named Lam.  Lam was from Vietnam, but his paternal grandparents were from Hong Kong, and he lived with them for a number of years while trying to secure passage to America.  Lam's grandfather taught him kung-fu, just as every chop-sockey movie ever made would lead you to expect.

When he arrived in Kansas, Lam was 17 years old, about 5'5, and weighed maybe 120 pounds.  He spoke English, but with an accent, and he was placed in the freshman class with me.  Soon enough, some of the larger football players decided to give the new kid a hard time.  It eventually came down to one guy who was at least twice Lam's weight and 6 inches taller who decided he was not going to let the kid walk away.

What do you think Lam did?  Did he leap into the air and flip over the attacker?  Did he, maybe, kick his teeth in, or hit him with a "death touch"?  Did he at least kick him in the groin?

What Lam did, with absolute composure, was nonchalantly reach out and flick the other guy in the Adam's apple.  To be sure, he "flicked" him with intention and focus, and pretty hard.  The other guy, completely stunned, grabbed his throat and staggered back, trying to breathe.

No real damage was done.  The guy was surprised more than he was hurt, but the point was made, and the fight was avoided.  End of that issue, and  I never saw anyone treat Lam with anything but kindness afterward.

Simple, direct, and effective.  Fingertips versus throat.  Winner, fingertips.  Doesn't that sound like something YOU could do?



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