Multiple Opponents

[yamadin]

Dear Burton,
My friend, Kyokushinfighter78 has avery good question that he posts on my forum, jkdindonesia.com/forum. I think it should be addressed.
Here it is:

Being cornered is double edged, no one can hit you from behind; but you have no where to go. Being surrounded is probably the worst situation, its not like in the movies where people will break off one at a time to fight you. This goes without saying, if you have reason to believe they'll back off if you give them what they want (wallet, watch, whatever) or if you can calm them down some how thats fine.


This is what every martial art instructor always said to me :

When you are cornered look for the smallest/weakest looking person confronting you. Charge him, either shoulder him or throw him to the ground and run; a shot to the groin or elbow to the face works as well. It's already an unfair fight as it is so I have no problem with going below the belt.

What do you think about that? I once pounded into the asphalt by gang of street teenagers when I was in highschool, about 8-9 persons if I remember correctly, I was just covering my head with my hands, I was a yellow belt in Black Panther Kyokushinkai, the fiercest kyokushin karate group in Jakarta. I knew how to fight back then and yes my Kyokushin instructor told me exactly the same thing as other instructor, grab one of the attacker, pound him into the ground, give him a shot etc to to shock other attackers, but I could not do that. It was so fast, all I can do is covering my face, in crouching position, and yell as loud as possible. I can't hit, I can't kick. Any wrong movement and it could be worst.

I always laugh whenever I see Aikido demonstration or MOVIE where the aikidoka/good guy attacked by 5 opponents and he/she throws the attackers easily. They don't have any idea about street fight.

So what is the best way to handle multiple attackers?

[Terry]

I dont know about this one....all situations are different and each has to be handled seperately.

I have never had to fight multiple opponents, but I was always told the opposite.  Find the Leader, Probably the biggest, the one doing the talking.  Take out the leader or Their toughest guy and the rest should at least pause and think....He did that to him-- what will he do to me...And if not at least you hopefully put the most dangerous out of commission first.  You may only have the one initial attack to catch them off guard...so stick you finger in the biggest guys eye or punch him in the throat...anything to put them out!


This is a good question!

[Burton]

The truth is that if you are attacked by a group you have a slim chance of escaping.  You will probably find yourself curled up on the ground covering up.  That's just the physics of multiple attackers ganging up on one person.

    That said, if there is a group who has not yet attacked, just trying to intimidate you, another theory (I say theory because I haven't tested it in a real situation, and don't want to!) is to go after the farthest person in the group.  This person is hanging back, probably because they are scared.  They will not expect an attack.  If you can burst toward them, get a quick shot and run, you won't be surrounded.  If you attack the closest guy, the others may converge upon you.  Remember, this is all theory.  Multiple attackers is the most difficult of all situations.

[jabcrosshook]

Hi Kyokushinfighter78, here's my 2cents

Being cornered by multiple opponents is like being submitted by choke/lock (armbar etc).

If a solid choke/lock already applied to you, even you are a BJJ blackbelt, it will be hard to escape. The choice is only to tap or snap

So, escape before it happens.

For choke/lock, escape before it sinks completely.

For multiple opponents, run away (if possible) before get cornered, dont take that chance. If run away is not possible, so....I guess....just tap out  

Ery

[Terry]

Like I said I have never fought multiple opponents!  

BUT I wasnt even thinking about my knife  (never leave home without) I think I would go ahead in that situation and use it...

I sometimes think one sided on a computer...

great stuff thou jabcrosshook

This brings up a story....I was working at a sheriffs dept. in Mississippi back in the day....left work went to taco bell....two cars ahead of me.....all of a sudden both cars are empty and people where fighting everywhere....I having worked the jail that night didnt have a firearm just my pepperspray....One poor guy was pinned against taco bell with three guys just swinging away he did the best he could but just had to give way...All of a sudden everyone was gone...I pulled up to the window to recieve my chicken burritos in uniform and for some reason they manager looked at me like I was crazy!

thought I would share.

[Burton]

That is funny!

[Cr8]

This type of situation is so bad.  When the pack mentality takes over people tend to act even worse because they feel strong in the pack.  That is why there are a lot of serious injuries and even deaths when there are multiple attackers.

That being said the best defense is awareness.  Be aware of your surroundings and always try to avoid situations where you could be cornered.  If you continually are finding yourself in bad situations maybe it's time to ask yourself what are you doing there in the first place and is it worth risking attack.

But lets just say you couldn't avoid the attack.  Move laterally to stack your opponents so they cannot surround you and do everything you can to stay on your feet!  Trying to go toe to toe with one will always open you up to the sucker punch from one of the other cowards.  Attacking the weak link or the leader is best when the pack is just forming.  You know when they are egging each other on and trying to get the courage to attack.  Also, if you have a weapon use it on the run to escape.  Standing still means death.  

Train true,
Creighton

[Shelt]

All of the above are excellent advice. So I have little to add other than try to intimidate them either by inflicting graphic damage on the first one you engage, or by attacking b4 they're ready.

One time I was TDY in Korea. I was walking back to base when I was acossted by an old lady (she was pimping a younger woman) who wouldn't let go my arm and leave me alone. This was just outside the notorious BJ alley(s) outside Osan AB.  There is a whole story that is sooo funny and illustrates my sense of humor, but I'll leave it for another venue because this isn't the mma.tv "Otherground" Suffice to say I got my revenge on her and managed to keep my pants up and boots on.  But on the trip back out of this offlimits area, I was being setup by a group of 5 locals. I maintained my happy-go-lucky chuckling outward appearance til I got close to a garbage can where I grabbed the lid and rushed them screaming "I'm !@#$%^& GONNA KILL YOU !$(*&^%$#@!@#$." They ran their asses off to get away from me. Perfect example of screwing up a person(s) OODA loop or plan of action and illustrates the importance of momentum.

[Burton]

Those guys are probably still running!