HOW TO BEAT A HOSTILE GANG IN A STREET FIGHT
Whenever faced with more than one opponent, the threat level goes up exponentially. Escape is the only priority. It is not a time to test your skills and try to take them all out.
When first approached by multiple opponents, you can take the same steps as for any confronting situation, but must also keep in mind a few extras. Establish who the gang leader is and concentrate on him. It is usually the biggest male or the one doing all the talking. Make eye contact with the leader and hold it. Do not talk to the other attackers except to issue orders. Remain confident and continually move forward while quietly but firmly asking the attackers to get out of your way. This may cause him to back down and usually the rest of the gang will follow suit. If they do not start backing off, use your voice and yell at them. Continue to walk forward, but maintain some space between you, all the while holding eye contact, even if he breaks it. Stay aware of your surroundings and try not to get surrounded. This can be achieved if you keep moving. You can use other people to shield you as you pass, and as soon as you see a break in the gang, go for it.
If all this fails and physical conflict is inevitable, then you should not hold back. Go for the leader of the attackers first and be excessive on him to warn the others, then encourage them to take their friend to hospital. Make use of your peripheral vision to detect the direction and nature of the first attack. The leader of the attack will not necessarily be the leader of the gang. It is usually the person who is the first to move towards you in an aggressive fashion. To give yourself the best chance, you want to have it so you only have to take on one attacker at a time. This can be achieved by lining them up so that they are forced in each others way. Using single lanes and other surroundings can also aid you in this. You could also push them into each other. You need to protect your back. If you do get surrounded, break through the circle and take out who you think is the weakest link. You may also consider finding a weapon, but keep in mind that if you are disarmed then it is more likely that it will be used against you than if you had not picked it up in the first place.
It is very hard to fight more than one person if you are tangled up, so avoid grappling, and especially being taken to the ground. This means that you need to take care of your balance more than usual, so unnecessary kicking should not be employed. Work to the flanks, try to gain distance, and always continue to look for escape so that you can run as soon as viable.
