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Many times, when the subject of multiple attackers comes up, there are usually two sides. One side says that its impossible to defend against more than one person and that there are no mult. attacker techniques. The other side says that it is possible and that there are techniques or concepts that will and have worked.
There's a rule in policework...A few comments taken from the responses.
Ok, so all of the above excellent points are somehow dependent on the idea that you know that there are multiple opponents.
Here is a kicker to the discussion.....
....what if you don't know you are facing more than one guy until the others jump in on the dance?
I have learned that guys with knives will often not bother to let you know they have them until they put it in you and that people will not line up and introduce everyone who will be paqrticipating in a fight ahead of time.
It is quite common for one guy to be facing someone, only to find that his opponent has friends once things get to the ground.
So all these comments about not commiting yourself to one guy.... would it not be safe to say that they are not just for when you know that you are facing multiple opponents, but also when there is any possibility that someone else may join in? So any move that causes you to go to the ground or otherwise get tied up with just one guy is best saved for people with a lot of backup like police taking down a suspect or bouncers that work in teams?
Of course, that is not how many dojos train. Especially the ones that put a lot of emphisis on competition and the vocal ones I talked about.
There's a rule in policework...
Expect to find a weapon, and when you find one, look for the next.
The same idea applies to violent confrontations. Unless there's only one person around -- if you have to fight one, expect someone else to be looking to help him.
There are tactics for when you know you have more than one opponent -- but even when you only think there is one, you still need to be alert, and deal with them rapidly, and be ready for the next person when you're done.
Em, this made me remember something one of my Grand Masters used to say all the time: Losing is not an option. Now mind you, I would count fighting to a draw against multiples a huge win.Practice as best you can for it. Learn pain tolerence. Do the best you can to keep you're head clear enough to see what's going on. Don't let anyone grab a hold of you. I know this sounds funny but don't be nice, get over the fact that you have to hurt somebody and do it as efficiently as possible. For some, this is very difficult to overcome. I won't get into the unofrtunate events of having your significant other or kids there or if you're unable to run. If there was ever a time to actually do the best you can...
Em, this made me remember something one of my Grand Masters used to say all the time: Losing is not an option. Now mind you, I would count fighting to a draw against multiples a huge win.
I would urge anyone that doubts the ability of trained fighters or martial artists to deal with multiple opponents to have a little more faith in themselves. As long as they train to be prepared for multi's, they'll have the odds stacked in their favor.
More often than not, your opponent on the street will not have anywhere near your level of training. The times that I've had to deal with multi's, the guys were obviously not trained. After their initial attack (that failed of course), the training took over & it all went my way.
Sometimes I think that people overestimate real life. We deal with real life every day. It's not like hordes of ninja are raining upon us from the rooftops. Train for it, rub elbows with folks that have dealt with what the steets can dish out, and you will be vastly more prepared than the average punk or two that think you're an easy mark. It wouldn't be the first time some thug found out too late that they'd bit off more than they could chew
Ok, so all of the above excellent points are somehow dependent on the idea that you know that there are multiple opponents.
Here is a kicker to the discussion.....
....what if you don't know you are facing more than one guy until the others jump in on the dance?
I have learned that guys with knives will often not bother to let you know they have them until they put it in you and that people will not line up and introduce everyone who will be paqrticipating in a fight ahead of time.
It is quite common for one guy to be facing someone, only to find that his opponent has friends once things get to the ground.
So all these comments about not commiting yourself to one guy.... would it not be safe to say that they are not just for when you know that you are facing multiple opponents, but also when there is any possibility that someone else may join in? So any move that causes you to go to the ground or otherwise get tied up with just one guy is best saved for people with a lot of backup like police taking down a suspect or bouncers that work in teams?
OK, now I have to pull it off the shelf and move it to the front of the stack on my desk. But really, thanks for the reminder, SKB.Tonight we did some training with dealing with multiple attackers and I remembered this post. We did all of the good things people haveposted here and then it dawned on my. "tying the line" from the book of five rings. The answer was something I had read in the book. I suggest everyone read it if you have not....
This pretty much is my experience, too, Doc.Doc_Jude said:I would urge anyone that doubts the ability of trained fighters or martial artists to deal with multiple opponents to have a little more faith in themselves. As long as they train to be prepared for multi's, they'll have the odds stacked in their favor.
More often than not, your opponent on the street will not have anywhere near your level of training. The times that I've had to deal with multi's, the guys were obviously not trained. After their initial attack (that failed of course), the training took over & it all went my way.
Sometimes I think that people overestimate real life. We deal with real life every day. It's not like hordes of ninja are raining upon us from the rooftops.
Great analogy, qi-tah.qi-tah said:In this analogy, i'd probably be spend my $10 around in 50c lots at all times, so i knew the terrain, then switch to checking a few basic options/parameters in the opening phases of a verbal confrontation (up about $2) and then focus almost solely ($8-10) on my opponent if things actually come to blows, with the strategy being to end it as quickly as possible (by "resoloution" or flight) and return to scanning the environment for further trouble. (50c-$2, depending on circs.)
1) Is it possible?
2) If you feel that it is possible, what techniques, concepts, etc. do you use?
3) If you feel that it is not possible, please state why?
5) If faced with multiples, would you use an equalizer to aid in your defense? (I'm referring to things such as a gun, blade, or any nearby object)
I would, but it's not necessary if you're a good enough fighter.
Not trying to sound like a know-it-all, this is just what I've observed.
Weapons are great equalizers