It is extremely likely that if you are involved in some kind of confrontation, there will be multiple threats. If you only see one threat, know that there are others but they are just not visible yet. Again, even if you can’t yet see them, know they are there so you will be prepared when they appear. Those threats are counting on several things. They intend to intimidate you through numerical superiority or they intend to surprise you with something you would not be suspecting. Don’t allow them to do either. Outnumbered does not mean outwitted. You can choose to get clear of the situation if that’s possible and maybe just run off. There is no cowardice (or any other word) for running away. It’s a good tactic if you can manage it. You remain healthy and you don’t have to kill some adversaries.
 

If you’re boxed in, there’s not much point in listening to whatever posturing the clowns are doing to try to scare you, just pick out the most pressing threat (bad guy with gun is more dangerous than bad guy with club), move right or left but at an angle toward them – which I’ve mentioned earlier – and immediately attack the worst bad guy. If you’re moving very fast, you should try to stack up the threats so they are in a line. You can just keep moving and go right around them, but you have to be attacking all of them. Worst first, then the others, then move back and take care of whatever’s left. You must not stop until all the threats are eliminated and if you see a new one appear, hammer into that one, too.
 

Obviously, this is gunfighting technique unless you happen to be carrying a large sword with you, though it has some application in unarmed combat. But, you will be much more likely to survive if you’re using a handgun and it has a lot of ammunition in it. It takes a lot of shooting to hit three or more targets with multiple rounds each. Then, to quote from Suarez International instructor Bruce Piffel: “Did it work? Do they have friends? Are you injured? Check six.” This means when the threats are down, make sure they are down, look around for other threats, look down at your arms and body to make sure you’re not bleeding, turn around and look for threats behind you.
 

Remember, the threats won’t imagine that you will actually fight all of them, so when it’s time to fight, don’t hesitate. Win.