Training to Defend Against Multiple Attackers in martial arts classes were key to preparing me for life.
I trained in Bujinkan Ninpo Taijustsu under my Sensei, Bud Malmstrom at the Bujinkan Atlanta Dojo for many years.
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to train with the Grandmaster, Hatsumi Sensei several times when he and several of his senior Shihan traveled to the United States for our annual Tai Kai.

Hatsumi Sensei and I after passing my Godan, (5th Degree Black Belt) Test. It was a major goal in my life that I achieved.
One of the skills we were taught was how to defend against multiple attackers.
I didn’t realize it then, but defending against multiple attackers teaches more than just self-defense techniques. It teaches you many life lessons that you can use in all areas.
In this episode, I discuss some of them. I presented these points at a recent Toastmasters meeting that I had the pleasure of speaking at.
You can see the video of the speech here:
These are the things I learned:
Know Your Why – or the main goal.
Know the WHY of your goal. This is your motivation to keep you going forward when you want to quit. In fights, to me, the main goal was to go home alive. I value life, and even more so after getting married and having children. I would do whatever I needed to so that I could go home to my family.
Be Aware of what’s around you.
Pay attention to your surroundings. Know where your exit points are, where you might need to pivot or move in another direction. This is critical in achieving your goals. Although the goal shouldn’t change, you may have to make your own path to get there. Be aware of the obstacles, the people or bad habits that keep you from doing what you need to do. This will allow you to avoid or move away from them.
Analyze quickly and then ACT.
Don’t spend too much time thinking! You can try to wait the attackers out, you can get into an analysis paralysis and lose the advantages you had. You will tire out before Multiple attackers will. Analyze your options quickly and then ACT on them. Without Action, Goals are Just Wishes.
Use Your Assets
Use what is around you. Use the skills you have. You have the same amount of time as everyone else. You have skills you have learned, you have knowledge or the ability to learn what you need. Use what is available to you. Follow a passion, an expertise you may have to achieve a goal.
Choose the hard one, The most important one.
Work on the things that will help you reach your goals. You can’t focus on one person. You must keep all in your focus, but should work on taking out the most dangerous one first, or the one that will get you closer to your goal. If your goal is escape that may be the one closer to the exit. In goal achievement, work on the tasks that will get you to your goals. Don’ spend time on useless tasks that just waste time. What steps will move you closer to achieving the goal? Do Those!
Who would have thought that learning to fight multiple attackers would teach so much about life and Goal Getting? Go out there and be a Goal Getting Ninja.
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