'Following in E.W. Barton-Wright’s tradition of pragmatic eclecticism, Renaud’s Defense dans la Rue system sought to meld various self-defense methods together into a unified whole. With reference to the stylistic chauvinism that had been displayed by some of his predecessors in this field, Renaud wrote:
''… the professors of each one of these sports will, ridiculously, deny the other methods. English boxers mock French boxing, declaring that apart from the kicks, it is not worth giving the time of day; the articles lauding Jiujitsu pretend that a follower of the Japanese science will be capable of pulverising any colossus, in any circumstances, in but three seconds, etc, etc.

One will not find any trace of similar sentiment in this eclectic volume; I simply endeavour to harmoniously gather the really practical methods of defense, whatever their origin, and especially to combine them.''
Renaud’s system was notably scientific and largely eschewed the more typical early 1900s approach to self-defense writing, which was to present the reader with a series of individual “tricks” or techniques. Instead, Renaud presented his students with a comprehensive progression of training methods and fighting tactics, with an emphasis upon combative practicality that had been influenced by his own earlier experiences in preparing foil fencers for real duels. '