Multiple Attackers

Defending yourself against one attacker is no easy task. Facing multiple attackers is an extremely dangerous proposition which likely could result in serious injury or death. However, since fighting is rarely fair, it is quite possible that you may face this scenario. Memorizing a choreographed sequence of movements that defeats three attackers may be impressive in a karate demonstration, but odds are more likely you will win the state lottery than be attacked by multiple opponents in the exact way you were rehearsing. For this reason, Five Animal Kenpo contains absolutely no pre-arranged fighting techniques for multiple attackers. However, each of our individual attack techniques are designed to be harmonious with the principles of facing several attackers. Let us look at the twelve primary strategies for facing multiple attackers.

1. Escape when possible. In the movies, Bruce Lee looked really cool taking on twenty attackers. In the real world, you have a better chance outrunning a group than fighting them. If you can escape, don't be a fool, run away!

2. Always assume there are multiple opponents. Just because you only see one attacker, don't be lulled into feeling like you are now in a "fair" fight. If after the fight, it turns out that their was only that one attacker, that is a bonus. Always treat every fight as a multiple opponent encounter.

3. Mental attitude and emotional commitment. If you must fight, it should be quite clear that you are a crazy person who is not only willing to die, but quite willing to take as many of your attackers with you as possible. Clint Eastwood in one western conceded to a group of gunmen that they would certainly win, but that at least three of them would be shot first. "Who's it going to be...." personalizes the threat and reduces the confidence created through mob psychology.

4. Groups are more predictable than individuals. A group creates a collective intelligence that seems, like an army of ants, to behave in a rather predictable way. For example, several attackers charging you will generally neglect their defense because they do not feel individually vulnerable. Also, much like everyone trying to rush out the same door at once, the group will often charge forward and literally get into each other's way.

5. Line up your attackers and avoid being surrounded. If you are surrounded, you must burst through the perimeter or you will be defeated. By keeping your attackers in a line, you are only fighting one attacker at a time.

6. Make it your intent to never deal with an attacker more than once. If you push down attacker number one, than fight off attacker number two, you will be dealing with attacker number one again. Thus, in a since, your two person attack just became a three person attack. When possible, deliver adequate damage so that attacker number one will not be capable of renewing his attack. Hit hard and hit the vitals, don't play around.

7. Impress upon your opponent's the consequence of attacking you. You want the next guy in line saying, "Ouch, that must of hurt really bad! I don't want to get hurt by this guy..." Breaking the nose with an overhead palm is excellent because it reduces your opponent's vision while causing large amounts of blood to flow from his nose. Blood is an excellent reminder to all members of the group that they are mortal and can be injured.

8. Steal from your opponents. Take their weapons and use them. Knock opponent's into each other. At times, you can even redirect their attacks to land upon another opponent.

9. Stay mobile. Avoid the ground, avoid grappling, and avoid too much time in any one place or with any one attacker.

10. Prioritize your threat and take out the appropriate opponent first.
    a. Take out the leader.
    b. Take out the greatest threat (face that guy with the knife first, instead of dealing with him after another guy has you pinned.)
    c. Take out the attacker who is blocking your exit.
    d. Attack at the flank so that the opponent's will line up for you.
    e. Begin to retreat, causing the herd to advanced straight at you, and take out the guy at the front of the line.

11. Keep your vision broad and avoid focusing entirely on one attacker.

12. If surrounded in close proximity by several attackers, strike with your forward and returning actions. Also rebound your strikes on one opponent to hit another. Your goal should be to create space and to position your attackers in a line.

Multiple opponent attacks are difficult to survive. You will get hurt, no matter how many things you do right. The key is to do enough damage to enough attackers so that the group mentality and confidence dissolves. If any of your attackers are also armed, the situation is even more difficult. However, Musashi survived a sword brawl against an entire school of Samurai (he was pretty beat up, but he lived), so with knowledge, spirit, and luck, it is possible to beat the odds.