Comments on Martial Views: Dealing With Multiple Attackers

I agree that with a group of attackers, the middle...

2011-06-13T21:03:31.578-05:00

I agree that with a group of attackers, the middle is the absolute worse place to be - we all can't be Bruce Lee!

Even with two attackers, if possible, it is better to get to one side so that at least there is one guy blocking the second one rather than having you face two from opposite directions. Plus, if you are on one side, the better of an escape route.

Charles: Here's the most recent story. It happened not far from me in Brooklyn. The poor girl was just enjoying a day in the sun.

Since then a reputed member of the Crips has been charged with second degree murder. Numerous other bystanders were hit with gunfire.

Actually the examples that came to my mind concerned gangs from Long Island, NY that target hits on victims that many times turn out to be a case (or cases) of mistaken identity. (I'm not "DR." Wrong blog.)

I tell my students that the best piece of training...

2011-06-13T14:16:30.646-05:00

I tell my students that the best piece of training equipment I ever invested in was a good pair of running shoes. While we train knife defense techniques, 1 vs. many and other such disadvantageous fighting situations, I always tell them- don't be too proud to just run. Who the hell wants knife scars?

DR said, "With the increasing presence of gan...

2011-06-13T11:24:54.115-05:00

DR said, "With the increasing presence of gang violence, multiple gang member attacks on solitary non-gang affiliated victims is on the rise..."

Please provide me the sources that say this is true, i.e. increasing, etc.?

"Run like hell" is my motto, too.

2011-06-13T09:52:29.431-05:00

"Run like hell" is my motto, too.

Whilst walking home one evening down a path which ...

2011-06-13T06:49:46.973-05:00

Whilst walking home one evening down a path which was way out of shouting for help range, i was blitzed by three muggers, one of whom had a knife. It was not a good situation to be in, and i learned that whilst my innate aggression and Karate techniques kept me alive, avoiding the situation would have been the manifestation of greater wisdom. When fights happen as fast as that one did there is no time for strategy, so your planned strategies are thus hard to implement - you are after all being attacked, not the opposite. Not all situations are like that but if someone is attacking in a group the blitz effect is effective because it works. Force of numbers is after all a strategy in itself.

A basic strategy I learned in Aikido was to "...

2011-06-12T20:51:17.833-05:00

A basic strategy I learned in Aikido was to "Pierce the Circle."

You opponents tend to want to encircle you. You have to piece the circle and get outside of it. This leaves the opponents coming at you basically one at a time, in line as the circle collapses.

This gives you a chance to dela with them one at a time until they can reestablish the circle. You should be moving around enough so that is difficult to do.