Archive for category: Other

It’s the nightmare of most martial artists – facing multiple attackers.

Popular martial arts movies and television shows routinely show the hero defeating multiple attackers, often with entertaining moves and running comedic dialog.

However, this is no joking matter when you are faced with multiple opponents. Studies show that assaults are more likely to escalate into homicides when there are multiple attackers, particularly when the attackers are juveniles.

Whether this is because the victim is absorbing multiple trauma or because the wolf pack mentality of the group causes the fight to go far beyond the limits that a single attacker would go, I cannot say.

But if you are faced with multiple attackers you are in deep, deep, trouble.

Multiple attackers mean angles, weapons and levels of attack increase exponentially, not just by the sum of the number of attackers. Four attackers don’t just mean you have to worry about four times the trouble, now you have 16 times as many weapons to contend with.

Yet, it is possible for a single person to defeat multiple attackers.

I have seen a video of Royler Gracie avoiding and evading two of the largest L.A. County Sheriff’s Deputies present in a seminar. These two brutes could not control Gracie and it was obvious that they would not have been able to keep him in one place long enough to assault him.

Similarly, I have a video tape of a single suspect virtually destroying two Texas State Troopers. To make matters worse, the two officers are both hitting the suspect with expandable batons and the suspect ends up flooring both officers with punches.

Evidently, in these situations, the two combatants were not equal in the skill or strength of the single combatant.

So how do you train to become so skillful that you can reasonably expect to defeat multiple opponents? Is there a style that most advantageous to study? What are the best strategies and techniques?

“A mass attack can happen in a variety of situations and so quickly and unexpectedly that you have little or no time to think about it,” says Loren Christensen, a former police officer, defensive tactics instructor and now author on self-defense. “It’s important to think about it now and experiment with it in your training.”

He gives these tips:

1. You must think quickly and anticipate the attackers’ moves.
2. Think in terms of striking targets that either stun or are potentially lethal. Consider striking the temple, throat, mastoid, spine, solar plexus, kidneys, groin, and knees. These targets maximize the effectiveness of your blows, thus conserving your strength and energy.
3. You must control your breathing to keep your anxiety in check and your energy level high.
4. Move fluidly with grace and balance.
5. Power can be increased by adding leverage, speed of delivery, and mass.
6. If you are fighting with your hands, be careful not to injure them.

Christensen has a substantial background in karate with seven black belts. He also has two black belts in jujitsu and one in arnis.

Marc MacYoung, an ex-bouncer and currently a prolific self-defense writer, goes for the “single out the mouth” concept. He confronts the leader of the group and tells him, basically, that no matter what happens; Mr. Mouth is going to pay severely for the fight.

MacYoung advocates maneuvering opponents into a single line so they cannot all reach you at the same time. “Triangles are bad” he says. “Stay moving” and try to breech their line so you can get to a more advantageous position.

But however you do it; MacYoung says keep it simple and get it over with quickly.

“I always planned my violence for both the shortest time possible as well as the simplest, most bulletproof moves I could find, “he says. “When I streamlined it down to the bare basics, all I was doing was keeping it so simple that things were less likely to go wrong.”

To world-famous bouncer Geoff Thompson, it’s all about offense.

“I have probably been involved in more than 100 fights where the numbers were against me,” he says. “I won because I was first to initiate the physical attack.”

Thompson also fears getting flanked by opponents. “Part of the attacker’s ritual is the pincer movement. One attacker, usually the one facing and threatening you, will deploy your attention while the others attack from your blind side.”

Thompson’s training is traditional karate, boxing and judo. He usually advocates knock out blows.

“If you feel an attack is imminent, attack first. This is the most critical factor in such a scenario,” he says.

“My own preemptive strike would be a right cross/hook to the jaw preceded by some kind of mentally disarming verbal communication, hopefully neutralizing the first person,” says Thompson. “Then I would attack with headbutts, punches, or kicks to the remaining antagonists, depending upon my distance from them.”

Thompson’s tactics would be supported by the writings of the ancient Japanese swordmaster Miyomoto Musashi, who said, “When facing multiple opponents, you must attack first and keep attacking until the danger subsides.”

The keys for victory from these professionals and others who have successfully defeated multiple opponents could tend to be generalized as:

1. Constant and effective movement;
2. Aggressive attitude;
3. Superior striking skills;
4. Use of weapons.

So which styles might be able to instill these skills to you as a student? Here are some common styles (in no particular order) which have the elements people have used to defeat multiple opponents:

Muy Thai – Known for specializing in savage leg kicks, knee strikes and a variety of powerful elbow strikes.

Krav Maga – Recently imported form of martial art from Israel which concentrates on self-defense against both empty-handed and armed opponents.

Kyokushinkai Karate – A particularly aggressive and hard-hitting form of karate developed by Mas Oyama.

Okinawan Karate – A number of styles are well-respected for their powerful punching and practical kicking techniques. Look at styles like Ishin-Ryu, Shuri-Te, Shorin-Ryu or Shuri-Ryu.

Kempo – A number of styles use the name “kempo” or “kenpo”, but some specialize in fighting multiple opponents by using multiple-strikes and movement.

Boxing – Proponents of Western boxing say that it is unsurpassed in training you how to defeat a real, moving opponent

Filipino Arts –Many of these arts, like Kali and Arnis, combine their empty hand defense with weapons – primarily the stick and the knife. The strategy generally focuses on destroying an opponent’s ability to fight by attacking his limbs first.
Jeet Kune Do — A “style” that the famous Bruce Lee created, it is usually taught in a way that is very comprehensive and includes striking, kicking, trapping, grappling and weapons.

Style or Fighter?

But is it the style or you as the fighter that makes or breaks your self-defense ability?

I think the answer is it’s the fighter. Evidence to support this can found in mixed martial arts tournaments and reality fighting matches where fighters of every conceivable style of martial art have won and lost. There have been dominant fighters, but there are no longer dominant styles.

I know of, and have seen, people of vastly different martial arts backgrounds who have successfully defeated multiple opponents.

I witnessed a highly-proficient Tae Kwon Do stylist  knock down five opponents in a parking lot using classical TKD techniques. Three of the five opponents were dropped with head kicks! Many would say that these are impractical for self-defense, but they obviously worked well for this guy in this situation!

I also know of a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu student who successfully defended himself against two larger opponents in L.A. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is not usually held up as an example of a style made for fighting multiple opponents because practitioners usually take their opponents down to the ground to wear them out before punishing them with a submission hold.  In this case, the BJJ stylist broke one attacker’s arm then put the other in a rear naked neck choke. Our good guy finally stopped and let go of the neck restraint after his wife was screaming “YOU’RE KILLING HIM!”

Obviously, there are a huge number of variables that come into play here like your skill vs. their skill and your physical attributes vs. their physical attributes.

You will need to have superior:

• Movement and evasion skills;
• Striking or kicking skills;
• Knockout skill or ability to render opponents unable to continue in the fight.

You’ll also need superior verbal judo or “woofing” skills.

Woofing is what Payton Quinn calls the smack talking that precedes a fight as the opponents “interview” each other. Quinn says instilling fear and doubt into an opponent through verbal means has allowed him to avoid a number of messy fights, potentially saving him from numerous nights spent in jail.

Royce Gracie of the famous Gracie family advocates a strategy similar to MacYoung. He says that you can make the group choose a leader to fight. Tell the guy, “You want to fight? You and me one-on-one. You don’t need anyone to help you right? as you point to the crowd. Now his honor is at stake. He can’t very well admit that he needs help.” Royce explained, “If a guy came in here and said he wanted to fight me, do you think my brother Rickson would step in front of me and say, ‘‘Oh, Royce, I will fight him.’ Of course, not! Same with this guy, his friends will urge him to fight you.”

If there isn’t a leader, Royce says you can punch the first guy, turn to the second and say, “you want some?”, punch him and advance on the third. So even the world-famous Royce Gracie doesn’t advocate taking someone into your guard when faced with multiple opponents.

For public safety personnel it is often effective to ask, “You want to go to jail?”

Otherwise, don’t threaten. This only serves to give away your element of surprise. Don’t put your MagLight on your shoulder and strike a pose; you’ve given the group time to think about what their response will be and to fuel their group rage.

Remember here, running away is a very, very good option for the civilian.  The LAPD has found that officers in foot pursuits were usually only successful in capturing the suspect in the first 200 yards of the chase. After 200 yards, the odds of catching the bad guy diminished rapidly. The same experience should also apply to you. If you can string the group out over a couple of hundred yards, then you can engage each opponent separately.

But for all this talk of verbal or physical responses to multiple opponents, the rule of thumb for handling multiple opponents is to use a weapon.

Even a famous Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stylist who is noteworthy for his many reality fighting victories concedes the tremendous disadvantages of facing multiple opponents. When seen putting a fighting knife in the waistband of his pants, he said, “This is for two on ones.”

The disadvantages of facing multiple opponents are staggering. When we’ve run training drills with two, three and four opponents against one, it is literally a few seconds before the one defender is swamped by the group.

Yes, there are theories that say that multiple opponents get in each other’s way, but my experience is that as you are moving to line up two of them, you end up moving right into one of the other ones.

Sometimes you just have to be practical and heed the advice of the Brazilian who told me, “More than one, use a gun.”

In Your Home

Invest in good locks for your doors and windows use them. The best type of lock to use on your doors is a deadbolt lock. A one-way peep hole is also advised and should be located at eye level in the center of your door. All entrances to your home, apartment, parking lot or garage should be well lighted, especially at night. All bushes and shrubbery around your doors and windows should be neatly trimmed. This reduces the possibility of using the landscape for concealment purposes. Never hide your door key in a flower pot, over the door, or under the mat. When home at night, keep the doors closed and locked. Keep windows shades or drapes drawn. Never reveal to anyone at the door or on the phone you are alone. Pretend to have a conversation with a fictitious person to get the point across. All family members, especially children, should be told never to give out information about who is home, who is out, when they will return, or how long they have been gone. Attackers have been known to use the telephone as a tool to get information about you and your home. If you receive a number of mysterious or obscene calls be assertive. A loud blast from a whistle into the phone will discourage the caller. Do not talk to the caller. Hang up the phone immediately. If the calls continue, contact the telephone company and your local law enforcement agency. It’s good policy to require identification from all repair and utility representatives. If you are suspicious for any reason, call the company and verify the identity of the person(s) and the purpose of the visit. Be safe, not sorry. Don’t admit strangers into your home until you know who they are and what their intentions are. Do not let anyone out of your sight in your home. If you begin to feel uncomfortable about someone’s presence, ask the person to leave immediately. If the person will not leave, then you leave and get help. If you live alone, list only your first initial and last name on your mailbox. Do the same for the public telephone directory. The addition of “dummy” names to mailboxes of unoccupied apartments in your building may also deter crime. Avoid entry into elevators when they are occupied by a stranger. Stand by the control panel so you can sound the alarm button if necessary. If a suspicious-acting person follows you into the elevator, get out and wait for the next one.

On The Street

Always carry yourself assertively. Be aware of your surroundings. Trust your instincts. Be prepared to react accordingly. If you need to respond to a situation in a verbally assertive manner – do so. Deal with catcalls, unwanted comments or questions by walking away, or making your feelings known by telling the harasser to stop the behavior. Other responses to uncomfortable or potentially dangerous situations may include running away, yelling, or fighting. Assess your situations and react with clarity, purpose, determination and confidence. Always carry a flashlight when it is dark. Avoid poorly lighted streets, alleys, vacant lots and parking areas. Keep a respectable distance from alley entrances and tall or overgrown shrubbery. Walk on the side of the street where you face the traffic. You can see the approaching traffic and they can see you. Never accept a ride from a stranger. Never hitchhike – day or night. Carry a loud whistle in your hand when you are walking. If you find yourself in danger, blow the whistle. Do anything you can to attract attention and get help. (Do not depend entirely on an object such as a whistle to always be available in times of danger. Whistles are fine – but no better than a loud yell.) Be on the alert. If you think you are being followed, turn around and look. Project a strong, confident image. Yell, head for bright lights and people. Be ready. Use your whistle. Avoid carrying large, bulky purses and packages. They make it hard for you to keep your balance or move quickly. Though high-heeled shoes and clogs are fashionable, they will get in your way if you have to react quickly to a dangerous situation.

In Your Car

Car doors should always be locked. When you are in the car, lock the doors. When you leave the car, lock the doors. Before getting in the car, check the floor and back seat for intruders. When driving, keep the doors locked. And remember – no hitchhikers. If you think you are being followed, drive to a busy, well lighted, populated area. Honk your horn for help. Flash your lights on and off. Call the police. Avoid out of the way stops, especially by yourself, Do not drive in poorly lighted areas. Make sure your car is operating properly and has sufficient gas before you leave home. If you park in an open lot or a public garage, be aware of loiterers. Always have your car keys in your hand ready to use. This avoids fumbling for them in your purse or pocket. Try to park in a lot or garage with an attendant. Always park in well lighted areas. If you must work late, ask your employer or a friend to accompany you to your car. Or plan to leave as a group. When getting out of your car at home, always look around before unlocking the door. Make sure your house key is out and ready to use. Helping the driver of a stranded vehicle is admirable. BUT do not stop and get out of the car. Stop at the nearest phone and call for help. Depending on the situation, 911 is the emergency number in Ohio. If you have a citizens band radio, turn to channel 9 and ask for a law enforcement agency. If you should have car trouble, signal for assistance. You may place a sign in the back window that says “CALL POLICE.” Raise the car hood, tie a white flag to the antenna or the driver’s side door-handle. Look around before getting out of your car. Move quickly and then get back in your car and lock the doors. Remain locked in your car until the police or other identified help arrives. If a motorist stops to offer assistance, do not get out of the car. Roll the window down slightly, just enough to allow appropriate hearing, and ask the motorist to call the police or sheriff’s department.

When Riding Public Transportation

If you ride public transportation after dark, try to wait in a busy, well lighted area. Avoid isolated, out of the way spots. Be sure to stand away from the curb until the bus arrives. Once on the bus, be alert. Look around you. Note who is on the bus. If there are only a few people and you are traveling alone, sit near the operator. When you are leaving the bus, look around to see who else is getting off the bus at your stop. If someone seems suspicious, is showing too much interest in your activities, or appears to be following you, walk quickly to the nearest well lighted area. Get help if necessary.

If You Are Attacked

Despite all your precautions, if you are attacked, keep a level head. Think, don’t panic. Your life is too important to risk. Always look for a way to escape. Most women escape possible rape by running and yelling. Statistics show that a combinations of strong verbal response (yelling) and physical resistance (which includes running) provides the greatest chance to escape. Traditional approaches such as pleading, stalling, reasoning, or crying are relatively ineffective in avoiding rape. Instead, women should immediately establish their refusal to be victimized. Take the first opportunity to resist and escape. Women have many tools to harm their attacker. They include gouging the eyes, smashing the nose or Adam’s apple, kicking the knee, smashing the instep, grabbing the groin. The attacker can be deterred regardless of size if you try some of these methods. If other objects are available, use them to attack. Keys, pencils, pens, umbrellas, a book, a briefcase, and purse are all items that can be used to fend off an attacker. Try to smash the attacker in the face, throat, nose or any other vulnerable area. Any of these strategies may be used even if the attacker has a weapon. Frequently knives and guns are only used to intimidate the victim. Training in self defense or martial arts is not necessary to successfully resist rape. They will help you prepare both emotionally and physically to increase your odds of success. Remember, though, self-defense must be practiced regularly in order to be effective when used. NO ONE CAN TELL YOU WHAT SPECIFIC TACTICS TO USE TO RESIST RAPE. EVERY SITUATION IS DIFFERENT. YOU MUST DEAL WITH THE RAPIST AS AN INDIVIDUAL. YOU MUST CHOOST THE BEST METHOD. BE ASSERTIVE. THINK CLEARLY. DON’T PANIC. DO THE BEST YOU CAN WITH WHAT YOU HAVE.

If Raped

If you are actually attacked and raped, don’t panic. Try to remember everything you can about the rape. This will be a difficult time for you. But it is important to cooperate with the authorities so that they can help you and other potential victims from this terrible experience always report any rape or attempted rape to the police. Notice every detail about the assailant. Try to determine his height, weight and what clothes he’s wearing. Note any physical characteristics such as type of complexion, any distinguishing marks or scars, hair, eye color and body build. Try to determine the age and nationality. Try to note the direction taken when he’s leaving. If a vehicle is involved, note the make, model, and year. Try to get at least the first few lettersdigit of the license number. Try to remember every thing about the surroundings if you are raped someplace other than home. Leave your fingerprints everywhere you can. Leave some personal items which can be identified as yours such as a button, earring, ring lipstick, glove scarf, etc. Do not bathe, change or wash clothing. Do not clean your nails or apply any medication. Your body holds important evidence which will be used in the prosecution of the attacker. Call the police immediately. Be willing to cooperate and prosecute. Police officers must conduct a thorough investigation of the crime. Although it is unpleasant to recount, the incident must be discusses and explored in detail. The assailant must be stopped from hurting you and others. You may want to ask a friend to accompany you to the hospital for examination and tests. If you feel more comfortable talking to a policewoman, ask if one is available. Many cities have rape crisis centers. They provide counseling and legal advice which can help you. They may be able to advice a lawyer when the charges are brought to court. STAND FIRM! Only your testimony can convict the rapist. Your testimony can reduce the chances of another woman falling victim to rape. For more information on what you can do to prevent rape, contact your local rape crisis center or police department.