MULTIPLE MAN FIGHTING

Due to the challenge of this material I would say this is by far my favorite training. It is taught when red belt going toward your purple. The best part is seeing all the students smile and cooperation too help each other out. Of course it is priceless to see students new to this training at their first time. There is so much involved to develop proper methods in dealing with multiple assailants.

Several hours of drilling and training are vital to improve their abilities in this area. I will not list all the drilling required for it would take pages of typing and would not make sense to those not familiar.

We start with a drill called monkey line where the students’ line up single file and attack the defender one by one simultaneously with or without a weapon (gun, club, and knife). This develops quick movement and to not toy with ANY attacker because we never know what the attacker knows. Then we practice multiple monkey line where the practitioner/defender is on one side of the training floor and 4-5 attackers move towards him at once armed or unarmed. This utilizes “set-up positioning” to where you are not fighting 4 at once. You simultaneously fight one by one while setting them up like a pool player setting up their shots. The pool player sets his shots up so the cue ball doesn’t bounce all over the place hoping for a good shot to follow, this is why he lines them up but with much practice before hand, same instance in Kenpo.

If surrounded, the defender would use a number of drills combined to compensate for this scenario because not all things happen picture perfect all the time. Keeping in mind that while going through these training modules you are striking vital areas of the body that disable them, blind them, subdue them, or causes extreme pain.

Sorry, I will not mention any of the vital areas unless you are a student who is properly trained under me. Of course everyone’s favorite is the “Eye of the Hurricane.” This is where 8 or more (hey could be 20, you never know) attackers surround you in a circle armed or unarmed. This is a serious threat, so what would you do, we already know what to do, just think for a moment and visualize 10 guys around you in a circle. You just got groceries after work and it is dark in the parking lot. No one is there to help. Along side the fact that a few have a knife or 2 knives, some have clubs, or two may have a chain, etc. Now you have just became a statistic if unsure what to do, especially in formal attire with no knowledge of defense.

In Kenpo Kung Fu this scenario is common for beginner intermediate ranks and very fun we say because of the challenge it provides. On the street it takes them about a tenth of a second to respond after you took the first initiative to move. I won’t describe this in full detail because it won’t make sense and cannot be learned by reading. You choose a spot to move towards. Now imagine a clock at your feet.  In front is 12 o’clock, behind is 6, to the right is 3, and to the left is 9, and all the other numbers of course fall into play between their designated area. For instance if you choose to move toward twelve (knife thug) striking their eyes while simultaneously breaking elevens (club thug) knee while stepping out of the circle at rapid speed. Two attackers are down and you have eight left. In most cases some of those eight will run away, but we always pretend they don’t for precautionary. Now you can see all other eight attackers. Choose a direction to move. Always keep moving and set up the rest one at a time and if get surrounded again, well that is what the other drills are for.

The beauty of it all is to control the situation and if they have weapons, obviously they “feel” stronger, so break the “weapon” (use of it) and they will fall. You can also take one’s weapon and use it to your advantage. You can also use an injured attacker in a chin na lock and throw him between you and other attackers to buy you some time and move into another direction.

There are unlimited possibilities to this defense and therefore there cannot be any “pre-formed” techniques due to the uncertainty of what they will do, but from the techniques you learn principles to handle these situations also knowing proper ways to set up and always having a visual of all attackers are the building blocks that start simple and become complex.

DO NOT ACCEPT THIS AS A TRAINING TOOL, ONE MUST PRACTICE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE PROFICIENCY CAN BE OBTAINED AND NOT ALL NEEDED INFORMATION WAS DISPLAYED. This is just to give you an idea of our training.

Click on the below methods for more information about their ways of self-defense.

Chin na |  Tai Chi | Ground Fighting |  Multiple Man Fighting | Takedowns  

Also see: Five Animals | Weapons

Sealing the Breath and Sealing the Vein |  Cavity Press   

Misplacing the Bone  |   Dividing the Muscle

Return to Kenpo Kung Fu Homepage

The information contained at Kenpo Kung Fu.com is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional advice of any kind. Kenpo Kung Fu assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. Your use of Kenpo Kung Fu indicates that you are in agreement to said terms, including those terms contained in the Kenpo Kung Fu Site Disclaimers located here.  All trademarks, registered trademarks and servicemarks mentioned on this site are the property of their respective owners.