3 is a Crowd
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When most people behind their journey into martial arts, they probably have visions of obtaining those magical skills, where they will be able to dispatch assailant after assailant with relative ease, just like the film or video hero from the many martial arts epics.
Once they have journeyed a while they begin to realise that to achieve such things are nigh on impossible. Even with ;many years of hard training under their belts, if they are honest they will admit handling ;more than one attacker is very hard to do and come out unscathed.
Others though that live in a fantasy world of ;martial arts will still profess how they can easily do it. After all they have done it many times in the Dojo and on demonstration teams. But lets just hold it a minute and go for a reality check here with these people and ask a few vital questions.
Firstly were the attacks rehearsed, i.e. did you know what was coming at you.
Secondly did the attackers take it in turns to come in and deliver their attack.
Thirdly, did they dutifully fall down after your first blow, sweep etc. If so, then this is not what multiple attack is all about.
No doubt if you trained in the above methods it is great fun and you will develop your technique and reflexes, but it will not help you against a real multiple attack scenario on the street. Why?. Well, you must remember if your multiple attack strategies stem from film video, you must remember the stuntmen are getting paid good money to fall over for the star of the film, also they must make him/ her look their best.
In reality your attackers will not be falling down for you. They will attempt to attack as a pack, all at once or try to blind side you, then, sucker punch you out. They will not line up in regimental order waiting for their turn to have a go, nor will they all circle you in fighting stance like one of the classic old time Kung FU movies.
The attackers will be like a pack of wolves after a lamb. They will crowd, imitate, hurl abuse, push, shove and then attack in savage fury.
If you are overwhelmed and go to the floor they will kick and stomp you to bits and they will not stop. So is it an impossible situation you may ask. Answer, no, not impossible, just extremely difficult and dangerous. ln the 70s and early 80s l was exposed more than once to multiple attack scenarios in football crowds that were notorious for trouble back then yes they have got football teams in Bristol.
I think it is a frightening experience and one when you just want to run and hide, it is complete and utter mayhem. l have witnessed many horrific injuries in these situations and the pure blood lust of a mob of aggressive and violent people, these experiences made me closely examine multiple attack rituals two or more people and l have broken it down into three categories, these are just my own personal opinions.
No. 1 Planned or pre-meditated attack.
This comes from may be trouble in your line of work doormen, security, police, where for one reason or another you have upset person or persons who want to even things up.
It can also happen in everyday life, depending on the type of life you lead. Anyway the bottomline is you are going to be set up as a victim of a planned multiple attack.
It will be planned to the finest detail;, when, where, how to catch you at your most vulnerable i.e. after leaving a restaurant on an evening with your wife girlfriend It will come fast and ferocious with a cold edge of professionalism.
No. 2 Spontaneous attack.
Usually a mugging or rape situation, where it has suddenly been decided you look likely a candidate for attack. It is not rehearsed, you are just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
No. 3 Escalating attack.
This being you have dealt with or are dealing with a solitary attacker when suddenly others join in either friends of the attacker or just interested parties who like a good tear up. it is a sudden surprise to you and probably will come as a blindsided ambush type of attack.
How do you handle these situations?
The big technique to help in all these scenarios is AWARENESS. Without it you are in serious s..t.
In No. 1 scenario, if you feel you may be a victim of a visit then you must keep awareness at all times and not let your guard down for sometime, it could be weeks or months. Have some sort of equalizer at hand, particularly at home for that unexpected call. Make sure when you are out to be vigilant particularly of cruising cars.
If you are aware and an ambush begins you will at least have the advantage of not being totally blown away by surprise and will be able to react in some fashion flight or fight.
ln No. 2 being aware will help you protect your personal space. So if the muggers play is to try and mentally disarm you with the old have you got the time or do you know the way to... ploys you will have time to react. Use your hands to keep distance with innocent hand gestures but be ready to move.
Don’t let them get inside your hand distance or blind side you, move to your rear, keep alert.
No. 3 If you are fighting the lone assailant in a crowded place and you finish them, gesture aggressively and shout at anyone else in the vicinity, something like 'does anybody else want some of this', you could at the same time be pinning your attacker with a knee or foot on the head or have them in a joint lock.
What you are doing is verbally and visually diffusing a situation where someone else might want a go. Scan the area and watch for any movement don’t keep your guard down. Awareness can help you survive. It can literally stop you from being jumped on or surprised.
But it is very hard to train it to be instinctive, you must work on it as much as any physical technique. As for physical technique, you want to hit attackers in prime vital areas, eyes, throat, groin, chin, jaw, kneecaps. Use basic but powerful and targeted blows, nothing fancy or iffy.
Avoid grappling, throwing, joint locking, you will not have time, the more time you waste the more people you will be fighting. You need to be offensive and pre-emptive and explode with fury, go for the ring leader usually the talker and then try and make an escape.
Remember there is no law that says you can’t run. If you make an opening go for it unless your job dictates otherwise. Remember you don’t have to wait to see your handy work, the order of the day is survival. So if you take one assailant out with a palm heel to the chin and another with a knifehand to the throat and a gap appears make for it.
As said before don’t allow yourself to be crowded or closed down and don't allow yourself to be grabbed.
No 3 scenario may find that happening if your awareness is down, someone may grab you from the rear. Then you need to know back head butts, elbows and stomps backed up with throws, if you go down with attacker to floor, strike him and get up quickly or use their body as a shield to ward off kicks or blows. You need to train these scenarios in the Dojo and experience what it is like to have two or more people just pile into you.
You will find how mentally and physically demanding it is and how much conditioning you will need to absorb punishment if they get the drop on you. You will also need undying spirit to keep fighting and win the day.
These are frightening demanding drills but they are real. Also try it against weapons and also you using weapons or makeshift items. Remember also if you get hold of a weapon from your attackers then use it as an equalizer don’t throw it away. Don’t forget there is no easy solution, you will be fighting for your life, everything and anything will go. Getting a good rear choke or strangle on an attacker may buy you a little time to manoeuver a getaway or use them as a shield.
If you want to stand any chance against more than one person you must drill these scenarios realistically and not as l mentioned at the start of this article like some martial arts demo that will not help you.
There are no guarantees and you still might take a battering but at least you will have given it your best shot using sound tactics and techniques.
Also remember awareness is the big technique and a good pair of trainers for the getaway, good luck
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