by Yang Shuangxing
Bear in mind that “multiple” means simply, “more than one.” So it may be just two or a dozen. The principles remain the same. The most obvious defense is to avoid this situation altogether. Oftentimes, you can see it coming and that's when you must use the #1 defense; run! But if that fails or if it isn't a viable option (if you are defending your family or other loved ones), or if it is otherwise unavoidable, continue on:
*DON'T ADOPT A “FIGHTING STANCE”: To do so lets your enemy know that you've had some kind of martial arts training and more importantly, it escalates the situation both physically and psychologically.
*IF POSSIBLE, DETERMINE WHICH ONE IS THE LEADER AND TAKE HIM OUT FIRST:
Every group has a formal or informal “leader.” He's usually the one with the biggest mouth and/or the largest member of the group. Attack him first – you'll only get one shot, so make it count – and the others often become fearful or disorganized. These people only respect the show of strength and demonstrating that you're “stronger” than their leader may well dissuade them from continuing the assault. And remember to kiai powerfully!
If you cannot determine which one is the leader or if the leader is out of reach (which makes attacking him very impractical), go for the member closest to you.
*AVOID BEING SURROUNDED: As best you can, avoid getting surrounded. Period.
*IF A PHYSICAL ATTACK IS IMMINENT OR THREATENED, STRIKE FIRST: You neen't wait until your foes begin their physical attack(s); in fact, doing so puts you in a bad position of having to “catch-up.” If you believe that a physical attack is imminent or if you are verbally threatened with physical violence, don't wait to see what's going to happen. Act first, decisively, and with great and lethal force.
*USE LETHAL FORCE: An assault by two or more assailants generally constitutes what is known as “deadly force” and you may use like force to defend yourself. This is no time to consider morals or any of that sort of thing; your life is on the line. And don't attempt any grappling maneuvers. You don't have time for it.
*ESCAPE AT THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY: If you are surrounded, there is a special stepping technique, which is known in yiliquan as the “eight diagram step” (it is also found in a small handful of aikido techniques) that was originally designed to enable you to get “outside the circle” of assailants who have have gathered around you. You can then use the best defensive maneuver of all – run!
*USE WHATEVER IS AVAILABLE AS A WEAPON: You're being attacked (or are about to be) with what constitutes deady force; therefore, you may use whatever you can get your hands on as a weapon with which to defend yourself. Your belt (especially if it has a heavy, western-style buckle) makes a nice flail and there may well be objects nearby that will serve as weapons.
*USE OPPONENTS AS SHIELDS: Once an opponent has been struck, use him as a shield against incoming foes.
*NOTHING FANCY: No jumping kicks, high kicks, or spinning kicks. They look good on a movie screen but they do not work in these situations. At all. Kicks, if used at all, should be low and quick.
Defending yourself against just two or three opponents can be very difficult. Once their numbers reach four or more, they actually get in each other's way and that can make handling them a bit easier. One well-known master of days past said he could easily defend himself against twenty (or more), but two was more diffficult.
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