Multi-attacker Training

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Yeah, right, this guy is going to survive and beat the crap
out of all these attackers, reality Check!

What is it? It is about being attacked by two or more adversary’s. One of the most sought after aspects of martial arts training is the ability to stop a multi-attacker situation, i.e., what one does with martial arts to stop two or more determined attackers from doing damage to you. The discussion always turns to kata and proponents of this type of training tend to say, “Kata is training to stop multiple attackers.” 

Invariably, self-defense martial artists ask, “How do we defend against multiple attackers?” The answer is simple really, “Avoid environments and situations where you expose yourself to being attacked by two or more adversary’s!” I don’t care how much martial arts experience, training and ability you may or may not have gained over decades of training, practice and experience. When you face multiple attackers you had better find a way to deescalate and avoid a physical encounter. 

In the world of professionals seldom does anyone fare well in a multiple attacker situation. Awareness is one aspect of training, i.e., be it martial arts or other venues of self-defense, where an awareness of self, surroundings, environment and situations that promote conflict and violence, etc. is the only realistic and fool-proof (mostly) way of avoiding and thereby defeating multiple attackers. 

It seems to me unrealistic and a huge disservice to students and practitioners to promote, train, teach and practice multiple attack drills and techniques because multiple attacker levels of force far exceed any real expertise and proficiency one can attain in martial arts or any other defense training. One reason why the higher levels of force use against multiple attackers is acceptable, i.e., where one takes up and uses enhancers/weapons to attain some level of survivability in multiple attack situations. 

Honestly, if I detect a multiple person attack, and believe me if properly aware you should see those signs a comin, I will turn and run like hell to safety! Running away from two or more determined attackers is a good thing and very high on my priority list of things to do in defense of my life and limb. 

If I face multiple adversary’s with an intent to process me for some form of resource, i.e., my money, watch and wallet, the best plan of survival is to follow their script and walk away, run away, when the opportunity presents itself. You beginning to see the picture here regarding multiple person attacks.

This media driven macho ego status building Ninja like ability to destroy multiple attackers swiftly, quickly and efficiently with little or no damage to self is pure bullshit put out and believed through the dramatization of movies, television and sport oriented competitive endeavors. Life seldom reflects movie, television and fictional stories. 

Now, if your training program for multiple attackers is geared toward the intent of theory, competition and entertainment of self, dojo, dojo mates and other like minded people then go for it, have fun, enjoy and be safe. If your training is to fool yourself into believing that you can easily handle multiple attackers with your Karate Ninja Deadly Hands art of defense, grow up and get some sense cause it ain’t gonna happen in real life.

If you are one of those lucky souls who used your awesome martial skills to combat two or more non-professionals in a fight, great, I am glad for you but don’t fool yourself in thinking cause it worked that time it will work the next time and then hope and pray you are not facing a determined, predatory and professional attacker cause you are going to get a visit to the ER or die. 

NEXT?

If you want to ensure your ability to survive multiple attacker situations then join the military and go to war. They will provide you the training, the tactics, the strategies and best of all the weaponry that equalizes things a bit. If you are a citizen for self-defense handling multiple attackers means you have superior levels of applied force that may not be viewed as legally justified. 

THINK before you TRAIN and most of all before you ACT! THINK Avoidance and THINK RUN FORREST RUN!!!!!

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