Multiple Attackers

“	Originally posted by H@pkid0ist I have always been taught that if you are put into a multiple attacker situation then you probebly are in serious trouble. At this point you should make an example out of the assailant who happens to be closest to you. Also, when the opening arrives depart quickly. Sticking around and trying to see how good you are or trying to fight everyone could lead to more trouble than its worth. This applies in a legal aspect as well. As for techniques my Chong Kwan Jang Nim had us doing multiple defenses usin alternating low roundhouse kicks to the shins and knees , to a low spin kick for every other assailant. It turned out to be a good way to disable everyone enough to find the time to dissapear. In this particular exercise all the assailants were fairly close and you were surrounded.	”

Well said,

To make this as short as possible, getting away with as little harm as possible should be the key. To stand around and fight multiple opponents, when not necessary, is utterly foolish.

I agree that taking one opponent out or the largest out does'nt end things. Especially where testosterone and/or alcohol/drugs are concerned.

If caught in a multiple opponent situation, something that hasn't happend to me in a long time, and forced to engage opponents, I would deal with the immediate threats first (i.e. the closest targets). I would attempt to take them out of the picture as soon as possible and try to secure a route to safety.

If I were able to secure an equilizer, a weapon of sorts to balance things out. Keys in the hand, something off of the ground, my belt, anything that could be used to offset larger numbers long enough to secure an escape route.

Keep in mind that these are last measures to be taken. I still stand by my first notion to try and avoid these situations if at all possible. In otherwords, when you see a situation building up leave. If you know certain settings breed these types of confrontations, avoid them. As martial artist, we should be able to avoid conflicts, when able to do so, as well as defend ourselves when necessary.

I know this thread is based more on fighting strategy, however you may want to consider visualization meditation. The first time I was jumped, it was all reflex, I went to jail thinking that I fell down; and fought my way up from the ground. I had no reccolection of what I did up until that point. Later, I had some vague flashbacks that explained some of my opponent's wounds who were also arrested(so those were'nt hickies on that guy's neck, and no they were'nt there when he started the fight). Anyway I have found that a form of visualization meditation can help ingrain given techniques into your subconscious. When you are surprised instead of flinching you react. Don't get me wrong, it is far better to be in control and know every technique that you are doing, but good reactions have saved my butt on more than one occasion. Also just to reiterate a point in my earlier post: NEVER RULE OUT AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION!

__________________
All great truths begin as heresy.

The situations that I've encountered I had no time to determine who would or should be first. This would probably irk alot of people here on the board, but this is what I did to survive the ordeal:
I remained calm on the inside though I was scared ****less on the inside and just simply dealt with every blow which endangered me...Instinct took over. Just like when you blink when something threatens your eyes...You have to believe that everything will be alright. Make everyone of your blows count and avoid grappling because you can get intangled in the fray. Really try to break something of your attackers to even the odds and "Haul ass" ASAP.