120mm said:
...I ignored his buddies, who were getting in each others' way trying to kick and beat me with fairly stout sticks. Once the leader was eliminated, I broke my clinch, and broke through the circle,...
You instinctively executed some of the principles needed to survive (or at least increase your chances of surviving) an engagement with multiple attackers. I noticed you described the other guys getting in each other's way. I also noticed that you described yourself "breaking through the circle". In so doing, you took away much of the effect of numerical advantage. Well done. I'm sure those lessons will stay with you forever.
threegun said:
For all you guys closing in on 40 or perhaps older who are reading this. Go find a heavy bag and hit it with 20 or so FULL POWER SHOTS. Let me know how you feel afterward.
I frequently throw 10 to 15 full power three punch combos from right handed and southpaw stances. Thats 60 to 90 punches........no kicks, elbows, knees, grappling....just punches. You will be surprised at how much energy is zapped.
If you want to up the ante, get a sparring partner for 30 seconds of all-out-destruction. The idea is to go full bore 100% effort with your partner for 30 seconds non stop (perhaps not your FIRST time, but after you've built up). Attempt to rip your partners head off with power punches, and have him do the same to you. Of course, you should use regulation gloves and headgear, as well as a mouthpiece. This kind of training will give you the follow through and inoculation to interpersonal violence needed to survive in a real conflict. After a few sessions of this, you'll learn to keep a clear head even when being punched and rammed with shoulders. You'll also learn how to assemble a combination of punches that works. Establish a ground rule that the match ends instantly upon "first blood", or if either of you demonstrates any dizziness, i.e. "out on your feet".
When you get to run hard like this, try stringing six or eight 30-second rounds, seperated by 1 minute of rest in between each round. But be warned, training like this will get your testosterone levels sky high, making you generally more aggressive, meaner, hungrier, and more confident.
Other principles to live by:
1.) Always look for a weapon of opportunity(improvised) if you are unarmed;
-Weapons may include chairs, broomsticks, pool cues, large smooth rocks (about the size of an apple), tools, shovels, etc.
2.) If you can DRAW your weapon, and you are already grappling, certainly attempt to fire, but don't count on the weapon discharging. Grappling and jostling may have caused the slide to move, unseating a chambered round. In such cases, use your weapon as a CQB weapon, and use the grip like a mallet to crush clavicles, temples, and any other thin, bony surface. Be wary of the top of the skull, as it is very hard- unless you have a protrusion on the bottom of your grips. Also use the muzzle like a bore-punch on the eyes and nose of your opponent. These soft targets have no natural protection, and even in case of partial strikes will reduce your opponent's ability to see clearly- giving you another advantage.
3.) Fight "DIRTY". Your opponents, in attacking you as a group, are trying to kill you. Nothing is off limits anymore. Imagine yourself a mongoose in a den of rattlesnakes. Every part of your body is a weapon. As mentioned before, all bets are off. Bite like a crocodile, head butt, use the cutting edge of your heels, gouge out their eyes, and be as brutal and merciless as possible. Your life depends on it. Create a "Sphere of Nastiness" around you, in which anything that enters gets eye-gouged, bitten, spit upon, and toe-stomped. Make them want to GET AWAY from you. In the melee, use
low kicks;
high kicks will get you swept and tackled. If you are being charged at,
the number one way to stop an attacker's advance is a front kick to the attacker's hips as he is advancing. This will stop them every time, and I've seen it work against 245lbs + professional fighters. After stopping their charge, welcome them into your "Sphere of Nastiness" with a proper greeting.
