{"id":20084,"date":"2023-08-27T20:20:54","date_gmt":"2023-08-28T01:20:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/?p=20084"},"modified":"2023-08-27T20:20:56","modified_gmt":"2023-08-28T01:20:56","slug":"bjj-vs-multiple-attackers-oppenents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/bjj-vs-multiple-attackers-oppenents\/","title":{"rendered":"BJJ vs. Multiple Attackers & Oppenents (Does It Work?)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

No other critique of the effectiveness of BJJ is more common than that it is terrible against multiple opponents because going to the ground in this situation is suicide. I’ve been guilty of saying this more than once because I believe BJJ is not good vs. multiple opponents, but this doesn’t mean it’s useless. So, what’s the full scope of the argument?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going to the ground with an opponent if there is more than one attacker is the worst thing you can do. But the truth is, no martial art will enable you to beat multiple attackers; the only real option is to escape as safely as possible. BJJ is great at teaching you how to break grips, get off the ground, and grapple with people, which can often be required to escape.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As always, arguments about self-defense are more theoretical than practical. However, by training extensively in different styles, being in a few real situations, and watching tons of content online, I have a well-informed opinion, so here it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Is BJJ Good Against Multiple Attackers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The common criticism against BJJ is that it’s useless against multiple attackers because its expertise is in ground fighting<\/a>, and going to the ground when there are people who can hit you is a death sentence. And I believe this criticism is entirely valid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To mirror the words of Rener Gracie, the best tactic against multiple attackers is to run for your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The thing is that all other martial arts will yield similar results. Despite what action movies show, in real fights, opponents do not line up and attack you one by one or even in pairs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They won’t just strike at you either; more than likely, they will try to grab and pin you down, and regardless of how good of a grappler you are, when two people are holding you down, chances are you won’t just shake them off unless you are massively bigger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes jiu-jitsu good against multiple opponents is the mental preparation it gives you. Keeping a cool head and reacting adequately are usually the best things you can do in a real-life situation, and BJJ training and competitions will instill in you at least a certain level of confidence, sober judgment, and the ability to react. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the proper reaction if you are faced with the overwhelming odds of fighting multiple guys is to exit the situation as quickly and safely as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knowing the ins and outs of close-range positions and grips can help you survive. This is knowledge and skills learned on the mats, and although you are not going to use them as you would against a single person, it could still save your life on the street. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, the claims BJJ and grappling are useless in situations with many attackers are unfounded because you may do your best to avoid grappling altogether, but very often, it will be forced on you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is how grappling can save you against multiple opponents:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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