oftheherd1
Senior Master
Nice topic! In Kenpo, we had a few multi man attacks, ie: shoulder grabs, punches from the front and rear, being held from the rear while being punched. Practical? Well, that's up for debate..lol. Hey, I'm being honest.But that was usually the extent of it...just the preset techs. However, training on my own, and with others....I like the idea of trying to stack the opponents so you use one as a shield against the others. I also liked the idea of the use of the shield, but while you're holding one of the attackers, preferably in a painful hold, choke of sorts.
IMO, it's really hard to know exactly what'll happen. I'd say the environment you're in will also play a big part. ie: parking garage or crowded nightclub. Personally, given the fact that the odds are stacked against you from the start, I'm all for doing whatever you have to do, to survive. If it means picking up an improvised weapon, ie: pool stick, a bottle, or a chair, and using it, then go for it.
edit---as Kirk mentioned...run-fu!!! In a situation like this, hanging around, prolonging the fight is just stupid. As soon as an opening to escape presents itself, I'm getting the hell out of there.
I have never had to fight off multiple attackers. At the level I was in Hapkido, that wasn't being taught yet. But I have often tried to train myself in what I would do. I agree with as much movement as it takes to disorient attackers, and shielding when possible; in fact trying to set that up, both for protection and disorienting opponents. I also would be doing as many low, damaging kicks as I could, along with whatever grappling opportunities presented themselves. I hope I never have to fight more than one attacker, and hope that if I do, some variations of what I just described are possible for me, and are effective.
I wouldn't disregard rear elbow strikes too quickly. When I studied TKD, we were taught both that the moving of the non-striking arm backwards was an action-reaction thing to increase power of the punch, and in case there was an opponent there, the opponent would be struck by the elbow. Both moves were done with maximum force. If there is no opponent there you have lost nothing. If there is, he has been it hard in the ribs. Why wouldn't you practice doing that? I have a tendency if I feel a body behind me, to strike with an elbow. EDIT: Part of that comes from Hapkido.
Don't misunderstand the object of many joint locks that result in those neat looking throws and break falls. In practice we allow our practice opponent to move into the break fall. If we apply the technique quickly and strongly, there is no opportunity to do that and a joint if dislocated or a bone broken. In a real self defense situation, if you dislocate a joint or brake a bone, that opponent is likely out of the fight. If you have more than one opponent, you just got one less.
Kirk's points make heaps of sense except that my friends are mostly old and out of shape which means that now I not only have to look after myself, I have to look after them too. Then we don't carry weapons here so there goes point no three and at 65 the honest truth is that most of my attackers are likely to be able to run faster and further than me. (Plus I might have my old and unfit mates with me. I know that in reality I only have to be able to run faster than them but I would probably feel bad visiting them in hospital later)
So that just leaves number one advice that I agree with totally.
Which brings me to .....
I have to disagree with your tactic of waiting and counter punching. You might employ that tactic against one person but against multiples I would be taking the initiative. It is the principle taught in both Krav and Systema and I teach that to my guys when we train that scenario. Not suggesting for one minute it is wrong to wait, what works for you is all that matters.
:asian:
For myself, if I were misfortunate enought to be in a multiple attacker situation, I wouldn't go into it deciding to do either one until I saw the advantage of using one or the other presenting itself. There are advantages and disadvantages to both depending on the situation. Why lock yourself in to the one that has less chance of working? Hapkido is primarily defensive, but we learn offense as well.
For those here who may study Moo Duk Kwan, do they stress multiple attacker defense? I very briefly studied that one many years ago. Along with punching, kicking, and forms, we were taught multiple attacker defenses and some grappling. Maybe it was just that Moo Duk Kwan style. And if it was called a particular type of Moo Duk Kwan, I don't remember after all these years.
EDIT: Wow, I started this and then something came up and I had to leave for a while. Then obviously things got busy for a while. I should have checked before I finished and posted.
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