Multiple Opponents

Just as I'm prepping to teach BLUE SUEDE SHOES: Womens' Basic Self-Defense Awareness, I had a chat with a dear friend and colleague on the matter of multiple opponents.  So I thought I'd share something from the Blue Suede class.  The illustration captures, I believe, the spirit of it.  May you never know first-hand what this is like. 

aac

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT:

MULTIPLE ASSAILANTS

It ain’t like the movies. Fighting multiple opponents is extremely dangerous and no matter how good you think you are, there’s a point where many becomes too many, and it’s a losing battle. Here are 10 good rules to maximize the odds of minimizing the damage to yourself.

        

1.            Avoid the Situation.

Always the best option. Here’s where situational awareness and early pattern recognition come into play.

2.            Run like hell.

Assuming you can get away safely and you’re not leaving somebody behind who can’t run with you.

3.            Have a weapon and know how to use it.

No doubt about it 3 or 4 unarmed attackers (or attackers armed with knives or clubs) against 1 unarmed defender is a one-sided affair. Same 3-4 attackers against a defender with a firearm and suddenly the odds have changed.

4.            Target the Leader.

Quite often the biggest, nearest, and has the loudest/foulest mouth.

5.            Line ‘em up

Avoid being surrounded. Move to one side so that they become obstacles in each other’s way. Use the nearest as a shield.  

  

6.            Strike First, Strike Hard Take the initiative, “attack on the preparation.” Avoid making meaningless movements that waste energy; take simple, devastating action instead. Get the first lick in and make it count.

7.            Fight Dirty.                                                         

         Use knees, elbows, teeth, head butts and attack eyes, throat, groin.

8.            Use the Environment.

Take advantage of chairs, tables, walls, trees, cars, etc as obstacles and as possible weapons.

9.            Keep Moving.

A moving target is harder to hit and harder to surround.

10.       Hit and Run.

As soon as you can safely do so, disengage and retire.

The first one dies, the second one is maimed, 

the third one runs away.