How to deal with multiple attackers

[Torrus Kesh]

Hi all,

In class last night we did 2 Vs 1 sparring based on street defence, apart from being totally knackering (for the person by himself) i became quickly pretty obvious a 2 on 1 fight ain't exactly like it is in the movies.

I tried everything i could think of. At one point i even had one of them in a head lock whilst throwing push kicks to keep the other away (which i cant see working too well in the street), but eventually the 2 attackers would always win.

Has anyone got any ideas/techniques for dealing with more than one person at a time.

Cheers lads

[Makkhatter]

Speed and violence. You have to put one of them down as fast as possible to give you time to deal with the other one. In a street situation it's going to work better, than sparring against two fellow martial artists.

[aseepish]

Escape as soon as possible. In 2 on 1 (or worse odds) these is no victory, only survival. If you have surprise on your side, you might be able to put one guy down quickly. And then deal with the other. But if surprise is on their side, things are looking pretty grim for you.

If your attackers stand between you and escape, do not attempt to break through between them. Odds are one or both will grab you. Move to the outside, and try to keep moving so that one person is blocking the other(s). If you get one in a Thai clinch, you can toss him around by the neck, blocking the others.

I agree that your chances against two or more trained martial artists are very slim. But on the street you may be facing two or more ARMED opponents.

Defending yourself against multiple attackers is not impossible, but it's very very difficult.

[DeSousa]

in the street if your realy fast at running and have a chance or a clear room just run out of there evantualy they are going to chace you but one most be slower than the other, that may give you time to deal with one at a time, at the gim ... maybe the clinch or move so it one bloks the other is a good idea

[tkd_person89]

Call Bruce Lee or Sirasoni (legendary korean fighter). They'll clean up that 10 man mess for ya!

[Hardball]

Lightining and thunder. You have to react fast and try to neutralize the squad by getting the leader. Iron fist training would help. Practice helps also. Mindset is most important; if you think you are defeated then you are. If you think you have a chance; then you do.

[aseepish]

Mindset is most important; if you think you are defeated then you are.

This is true.