Self-Defense Against Multiple Attackers, Part 2 of 3

If you missed Part 1 of this series, be sure to check these out before continuing below…

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The three problems inherent in all multiple attacker self-defense situations are seemingly insurmountable.

There’s only one of you, and a bunch of them. If you go after one guy the rest just dog-pile you; and you’re stuck in the middle having to pay attention to the 360 degrees around you while they only have to look — and go — in a single direction… in a beeline after you.

These three problems — 1) outnumbered, 2) vulnerable, and 3) surrounded… can all be solved with the proper attitude, injury, and, most importantly, movement.

Just like the motivational workplace poster-kitten says, “Attitude is everything.”

Though it’s cliche, it holds true for self-defense against multiple attackers, too.

If you think in terms of being the one with the problem, then that’s you, stuck with solving multiple problems.

If, instead, you think in terms of BEING the problem and revel in making it as bad as possible for them, you’ll be giving the still-conscious ones second thoughts.

And that buys you the extra moment you need to bust something important inside another one of them.

As a wise man once said:

“I’m not stuck in here with all of you — you’re all stuck in here with me!”

Go on the hunt, go on the attack, and make them worry about making it out in one piece.

Case in point… this video…

(Warning: explicit lyrics; we strongly suggest you TURN OFF/MUTE the audio and pay attention only to the action):

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Like the guy in the video, when the five guys in the car let Will know what they intended, he didn’t see it as “5-on-1 beat-down,” but a “1-on-5 target-rich environment.” And that small change in perspective meant that he took it to them rather than waiting for them to bring it to him.

He turned a multiple-attacker self-defense situation for himself into a self-defense situation for the five in the car.

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The boxer in the previous post’s video had a similar-enough attitude, evidenced by the fact that he didn’t just bolt and take off running as far and hard as possible. He was willing to take on the crowd, just not from the middle and not more than one at a time.

We’ll get into more detail on that in the next installment.

And, of course, get the inevitable end of Will’s story, too.

-Chris Ranck-Buhr

Terry 6.4.2010 8:59 pm

Oh, come on Chris, this, according to the video, is an encounter between a professional (heavyweight) boxer and five (lightweight) amateur ‘boys’, only one of whom shows any aggression whatsoever. No contest.

Reply to comment

Tim LarkinJune 4th, 201010:21 pm

Within the last 2 years in both the UK and OZ there have been professional fighters seriously injured or killed by smaller weaker individuals. The video was to demonstrate the principles discussed in Chris’s article not to concern ourselves with the details of the situation.

Frank 6.4.2010 9:12 pm

Ok, I’m puzzled by you guys. Attitude is all well and good, but what about intelligence? What about the distinction of asocial and anti-social? In the case of the street fight, the guy is an idiot. He could easily have gotten killed or maimed, just by slipping and falling and having the crowd all over him. And for what? He most certainly should have run? There was zero reason not to, except machismo, of course. Supposedly everything you guys try to combat as a stupid attitude.

And in this new video, more of the same. Some got called a name. So what? His male pride was injured. Nothing more. No criminal assault. He could have swallowed his stupid pride and walked away, unless he were attacked, in which case he could react differently. And who knows how it all started. Possibly more posturing.

Finally, it was a bore.

Tim LarkinJune 4th, 201010:17 pm

You miss the point. The videos are to illustrate what works and what is going right in the multi attacker scenario. We have stated many times the anti-social vs asocial principle when it comes to violence. As we advocate to everyone when you watch an act of violence anti-social or asocial pay attention to the person that is successful using the tool of violence that is where you can learn. You shouldn’t be concerned with the person involving himself in an avoidable act of violence — that is for you to know for you own use. You should merely use the opportunity to see what is working.

Remy 6.4.2010 11:49 pm

I think the video demonstrates a very common multiple attacker scenario that happens more often then most people think. This type of scenario leaves one with only a few seconds to think and react, if even that; while it would be nice to know the intentions of the threatening group, thats not possible-he obviously felt insulted, and maybe genuinely threatened even. His actions were somewhat effective, although he made quite a few mistakes that could have left him very dead, had the others had that intention-the worse I believe was the utterly stupid act of taking the time, as well as opening himself up to being very vulnerable, while also blinding himself, to remove his shirt; the injury that could have been done to him right then and there could have been his very ending had his attackers been more serious or smarter. To his credit, he did give himself distance by pushing them away, and became the aggressor-sometimes that is all it takes to relay the message to any would be assailant that “this is not worth it”.

Steve 6.5.2010 5:06 am

Well, Tim, frankly the point is easy to miss in these videos. I think the situations were just poorly chosen and tend to obfuscate the point, especially when the situations visibly tend to contradict your most important principles for staying alive. There are plenty of youtubes where the situation is much clearer and allows one to make the point to students that the first one to strike and injure tends to win, that a first injury can give you the edge materially and psychologically in a multiple attack, etc.

Johnny Mac 6.5.2010 4:01 pm

I think the mindset is the most important principle here. I was attacked by 7 men with bats trying to protect two 13 year old boys who had asked for my help. Cut off from escape I got out of my car to reason with them. Unfortunatly, I became the focus of their anger. I stepped away from my car, allowing everyone else to escape out the other side only to get hit in the mouth with the butt end of a bat. I attacked the man in front of me only to be hit in the head from behind, dropping me to the ground. All seven attacked me with bats and kicks. 7 years of Karate did little to prepare me for this situation, and no amount of talking was going to convince these drunken morons to back off. Had I thought to refocus on another attacker, I may have gotten the opportunity to escape, or at least not get clobbered in the head with a bat. Only providence saved me that day. I am looking forward to TFT’s course this Fall in Boston. Take it from someone who had been there. Once your dealing with multiple attackers, you better have a plan. By the way, this happend in less then 3 minutes. I never dealt with this kind of blind violence before and dont plan on being a victum again. Not sure why I shared so much, I think it was because after reading some of the previous posts… it seems most people are not only unprepared but perhaps overconfident in their ability to talk their way out of a bad situation. JM

DaveS 6.5.2010 5:49 pm

Agreed… the lesson is in watching the guy doing the violence whether or not it’s justified, right, or wrong. Did it work? Why? How? If he’s a professional boxer, it didn’t appear he was using ring skills, at least not very well. But he sure did survey the 360 degrees pretty well. And kept moving, then penetrating.

Shawn 6.6.2010 12:20 pm

Its well known that the lone fighter in this video was actually the instigator here. Mike had a camera set up ahead of time and Mike was the one picking the fight here, not the other kids. They did not want to fight, but Mike did. The guys in the group were intent on not fighting, Mike WANTED to beat some ass. Hell, I can walk up to a small group of kids who do NOT want to fight and start kicking ass. This was not a mindset of “I’m going to beat 5 guys up to survive another day” it was a mindset of “I’m going to set some wimpy kids up and make a video of me beating some ass to make me look like a tough guy”.

There was no danger here. The group was not intent on hurting a stranger. A stranger was intent on beating some kids up so he could look like a bad ass. If a group of gang members were roaming about intent on causing harm to a single person, this video would have merit. One guy looking for softies to pick on so he can look like a hero is not noteworthy. Tim, Chris, you guys are better than this.

Chris Ranck-Buhr 6.8.2010 6:35 pm

Let’s look at two scenarios:

1. A man breaks into a home and surprises a woman in the kitchen — he grabs a knife off the counter, stabs her in the neck and she bleeds out.

2. A man breaks into a home and surprises a woman in the kitchen — she grabs a knife off the counter, stabs him in the neck and he bleeds out.

In terms of social and legal considerations, right and wrong, and how we would personally feel about these two situations (cheering one and feeling sickened by the other), MECHANICALLY, THEY ARE IDENTICAL.

The best information in violence comes from the worst people; dismissing it because they are “evil” or “in the wrong” is what hamstrings us sane and social folk. I do not condone the social and legal conduct of the vast majority of the people in the videos we use for instructional purposes — but the fact of the matter is they are the winners.

You need to watch this stuff with the sound off and without reading ahead for details on the set up. Why or how it started doesn’t matter. What you need to see are the mechanics of violence working and ask yourself: ” Who’s winning?” “Why?” and “How can I improve on their process?”

We are not recommending that you aspire to live your lives like these people — only that you function like the winners do in the moment of violence.

Gabe McCown 6.9.2010 6:06 pm

Hate to disagree with the comment crowd but that is no pro boxer. That is a pro skateboarder/former ice hockey player named Mike Vallely.

I think the point was to be the aggressor, to view yourself as the predator and not the victim. Mike V. is well known as a brawler, in fact his hot temper recently cost him his job with a major league hockey franchise, but that is beside the point. I get what Chris was meaning and I personally like the thought process. I’m no ex military or cop or anything else, just an average joe, but I have faced multiple attackers once and and walked away and I will attest that the TFT guys are dead on on this. You have to hunt targets, livers, bladders, necks, etc. and you have to be constantly gaining ground from the onset to the finish.

Ian 6.13.2010 5:19 am

Yeah, that’s pro skater Mike Vallely.

I’m pretty sure he’s NOT a pro boxer.

As far as two-sport athletes go, that would be more impressive than Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson, I would have to say.

william 6.22.2010 4:47 pm

Garbage. The lone guy was obviously the agressor. It would have been a better example if the situation were reversed. The guy did some basic strikes and takedowns. Now thatI THINK ABOUT IT, if the lone man was being attacked, he could have used the principles of violence easily. He did,and in reverse,it would have been like attacking a pitbull.
Nice takedowns,but no emphasis on striking vital targets. It is just as well,because it was social violence,not a life or death situation. Please show more clips on a lone person being the intended target,or victim,and he or she applying what you guys teach Tim.Also, show videos of someone using the TFT system against a creep using weapons. Until Prince becomes an MMA fighter,take care,and be safe.

Gary in Ohio 7.9.2010 2:52 am

Tim, Chris,

Keep giving us this great information, eventually most will see what your main points are that lots of us are getting from you, be the aggressor, find the target area, walk away not being injured.
I am really enjoying my many free lessons you send me, I know I am more capable to defend myself than I have ever been, and as you also tought me, don’t be over confident.

God bless Tim, Chris, and TFT.

Self-Defense Against Multiple Attackers, Part 2 of 3

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