About Self Defense Against Multiple Attackers

Self defense against multiple attackers requires planning, efficiency and surprise. Most martial arts teach techniques for fighting multiple opponents. The confrontation must begin and end quickly if you are to survive. There is little chance that an individual can withstand a prolonged assault from multiple attackers. You must distract, disable, then escape.

Identification

The first step in self defense against multiple attackers is identification of the situation. How many people are attacking? Are they armed? What aspects of the surroundings can help or hinder you? What weapons are available to you? The most important thing of all is to identify is your method of escape. Any confrontation you have with the multiple attackers must be with the objective of getting away.

Prevention/Solution

The best self defense against multiple attackers is to avoid an attack to begin with. Even if you feel you can handle the situation, look for safe ways out. Try to reason with the attackers, ask others to intervene, call for help or run away. Even seasoned martial artists are trained to avoid fighting whenever possible. This is both for your safety and the safety of the attackers.

Time Frame

If you cannot avoid a confrontation with multiple attackers, then you must take the fight to them. Do not wait for them to get into position so that you are surrounded and helpless. The only thing you have in your favor at the start of a confrontation with multiple attackers is the element of surprise. The group of bullies will feel powerful and intimidating, so they won't fear your attack. Play into this. By appearing to be afraid, they will let their guards down and become overconfident. By engaging them in conversation, they will be focused on your words. Strike when they are in mid-sentence. This will give you a second or two head start in the fight.

Function

Your attack must be fast, decisive and effective. You will not get more than one chance to disable an opponent. Pick out a primary target. This, ideally, should be the leader or most dangerous individual. Your initial strike should be a disabling blow. A gouge to the eyes, a punch to the throat or a kick to the groin will stop an attacker for several minutes. Have a plan of attack. Go from one opponent to another in a logical way. Disable the person most likely to get to you first. Understand that they may be behind you. If you take out the first attacker with a single blow, then immediately turn and strike the second attacker; they probably won't have time to react. You will have taken out two of them before they can touch you. Use the environment to your advantage. If the attackers are standing close together, try to knock one into the others. This takes them out of the fight for several seconds. Make the fight a series of one on ones instead of you against all of them.

Considerations

The most important part of your attack plan is how to escape. Consider how you will clear your escape path. Try to fight as few opponents as possible for as little time as possible. The longer your fight, the more likely you will lose. Knocking one out of the way and into the others so you can get away is ideal. If some of them are armed, try to knock the unarmed ones into the armed ones so you won't have to deal with the weapons.