Fighting the Trained Wolf Pack

[Darren Laur]

Fighting The Trained Wolf Pack




Several years ago I wrote an article called, “Fighting Multiple Opponents” which can be found at:

http://www.personalprotectionsystems.ca ... onents.doc

In this article, the first sentence of the last paragraph I wrote stated:

“ I have trained to fight the wolf pack, but I doubt the wolf pack has trained to fight cohesively against me”

Well, as reality does sometimes, I need to reframe my beliefs specific to this issue. Although the principles of my original article still stand from a tactical and strategic standpoint, the issue of a coordinated Wolf Pack attack, although a rarity, CAN BE a reality. I offer the following links for your viewing to demonstrate coordinated Wolf Pack training with criminal intent (to view you must sign up with youtube.com, which is free):


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6_lyetZJJw


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfO0tsLsDFg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HBx3QjBUFQ


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PElgUyq-OM


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1ZzZoJBGy8


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6Z_ge0Fc7Y



Here are some of my thoughts specific to what I observed in these clips:


- These guys understand environmental training that is scenario based, including training in street clothes and low light conditions

- Notice how these guys utilize triangulation strategy to their advantage

- Notice how the head appears to be a primary target

- Notice how these guys “engage with rage” with violent intent that is designed to overwhelm their intended targets emotionally, psychologically, and physically with continual compound attacks.

- Notice how these guys practice a variety of different attacks from all positions and how they also practice on targets that are standing, sitting, prone, sitting in a car, sitting in a chair

- Notice the use of a belt from all angles as an improvised weapon

- Notice the use of the rear choke by one threat, while the others pommel from the front.

- Notice the use of language as a set up

- Notice that if the victim is wearing a hat, the threats will tip the hat down from the rear, pushing it forward, thus visually obscuring the victim, which is then immediately followed up with a frontal attack that can not be seen

- Notice how that techniques used are gross motor based, nothing fancy.

- Notice how these guys are training with imagination and emotion (http://www.personalprotectionsystems.ca ... aining.doc) which allows them to train in “state”



To be very honest, these guys GET IT when it comes to training and fighting in the real world, and have much to offer those of us who are willing to remove the blindfold of martial ego, and are willing to spit out the Kool-Aid of willful blindness based upon tradition and false Hollywood (or even sensi) beliefs. I know that some who will view these videos will say that these guys have no honor, no pure technique, are sloppy in their application; but I say who firckin cares, these guys, and their tactics, are simple, violent, and extremely effective, and in the end, when the dust settles, all that counts is the final outcome !!!!!


As I stated, I continue to believe that the strategies and principles for fighting multiple opponents that I shared in my original article are still valid. I do, however, believe that awareness of these types of coordinated Wolf Pack tactics; do change some strategic applications, especially in the pre-contact phase of a confrontation:


- Awareness, Awareness, Awareness is key. These types of predatory attacks, although coordinated, can be picked up in the early stages by one’s etheric sense, but one has to trust their gut instinct. Awareness of these videos can also condition one’s subconscious brain to be more hypersensitive to these tactics, thus increasing one’s etheric radar.

- Movement is key, when stationary (standing, sitting, prone) triangulation becomes far more easier for the Wolf Pack to utilize to their advantage


- Maintaining a reactionary gap is extremely important wherever possible. Notice in the video clips, triangulation is being combined with what I like to call, “closing the gap” which provides a tactical advantage to the Wolf Pack when it comes to first strike. You cannot allow these guys close enough to put their hands on, during what I like to call the “assessment or infiltration stage”. If the Wolf Pack is closing the gap, the game is on, and one must now think about attacking first

- Many of the attacks were telegraphed before engagement. Being aware of “Ritualized Combat” is extremely important http://www.personalprotectionsystems.ca ... Combat.doc

- The use of a real or improvised weapon should be considered. Having said this however, if one does not have their weapon in hand ready to immediately deploy during the pre-contact phase, then the reality is to do so will be very very difficult once the Wolf Pack has moved to the attack/contact phase. I have heard many who espouse to the use of weapons in such scenarios, that they would just shoot, cut, or bludgeon their way through the Wolf Pack. As one can appreciate after watching the videos, many of the tactics used by the coordinated Wolf Pack are designed to negate one’s ability to get to a weapon. So unless you have the weapon in hand ready to go during the pre-contact phase, negative time framing to get to the weapon works in favor of the Wolf Pack once they engage physically.



Remember that fighting multiple opponents, or the trained coordinated Wolf Pack, is chaotic and extremely violent. It is my opinion that these types of confrontations should be considered a “Deadly Force” threat !!!!!!! The risk of serious injury, or even death, is very real and as such, Neural Based Scenario Training, based upon the above noted videos, are a must to counter these coordinated Wolf Pack tactics. Proper Pre Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.



Darren Laur
www.personalprotectionsystems.ca

[LapuLapu]

Nice-one Darren,
food for thought & some homework to watch.

ATB

Cheers Nick.

[Darren Laur]

Thanks Nick, and have fun with your homework

Darren

[Bri Thai]

Fighting the Wolf Pack?

No problem. All they do is bitch on about anyone who is't Carl Cestari..... saying the same things to each other year after year......

[djaab]

CRACKING:

When tactically feasible, move between your attackers, striking as you do so. This tactic will allow you to move into a more desirable position for attack while forcing your opponents to adjust to you. Position is often more important than distance. You want to be as efficient and productive as possible while forcing your attackers into less desirable positions

Hi Darren,
this look very dangerous to me. if I'm in the middle, I gonna get a serious ass whooping. sometimes I may have no choice though.

the mindset is great: "I will get through this." instead of the other weaker mindsets.

[Darren Laur]

Hi Darren,
this look very dangerous to me. if I'm in the middle, I gonna get a serious ass whooping. sometimes I may have no choice though.

yup, agreed, but as you stated , this might be the only logical alternative thus why it is sooooooooooo important to strike as you Crack

Fighting the Wolf Pack?

No problem. All they do is bitch on about anyone who is't Carl Cestari..... saying the same things to each other year after year......

Now, now Bri we are all students of combatives .................


D

[Tap_or_Choke]

Watching these videos is actually a bit sickening... But it's true. These guys do get it!
Their attacks are vicious, based on gross motor skills and they charge themselves up.
And also true is that they telegraph their attacks, which can be used against them.
They understand the triangulation principle.

What bothers me is this: how close are these guys on picking a real victim off of the street?

Whenever faced with multiple opponents make sure you keep moving and never let them corner you.
Make sure you always keep one threat in between you and the rest while striking.

And most important: keep the winning mindset!

I agree with Darren. This is a deadly force encounter.
Use equalizers, anything goes!

Great post, Darren.


Andy

[djaab]

ok, I understand the cracking concept .


I don't really know about this,

but I feel that I need to go preemptive when it's about multiple opponents.
because taking care of distractions from one guy is ok, nearly easy, but with more, there's too much to watch out for.
there's too much info, it's overwhelming for the mind.

[Bri Thai]

Darren, I was at a course yesterday and the instructor raved about your research and knowledge in this area. I do too!

Keep at it. You teach an awful lot of great stuff to us all my friend.

Brian S

[TheBCollector]

...

[djaab]

Lads,

I don't think for one second that these guys are funny at all. In fact, I found this really scary.

It prooves that potential street thugs train like plenty of us do :

* scenari work out
* low light condition
* training in your daily clothing
* realistic environment
* practise of the verbal " artifice "
* multiple aggressors
* train to put the victim on the ground, and then," shock and vehemence ", explode his head by all means
* gross motor skills, heavy simple strikes
* visualization
* desensitization

where I'm from, even if thugs can have enough money while selling drugs, they won't spend it on a BOB and a cam and send their mugging simulation on the internet.
usually they know how to do it from young age, and then with experience.
still, these guys can be dangerous, I agree with you.

[TheBCollector]

...

[Bri Thai]

Fighting the Wolf Pack?

No problem. All they do is bitch on about anyone who is't Carl Cestari..... saying the same things to each other year after year......

That was absolutely not the point. And you know it.

Errrr, yes. I do know it. It is called a joke. And, as with all the best jokes, it has the ring of truth.

Have a nice day!

[Yarahu]

Question for the LEOs and (former) lawyers, especially those in Canada (but opinions of others are very welcome too):

basically, the only way to go in a situation like this, assuming running away is not an option for whatever reason, is to go totally berserk, right? Rip their eyes out, claw their throats away, bite their nose off and spit it in their face. Let's say this happens to you and this is what you do, how does the law look at that?

I am aware of the 'rather be judged by twelve than carried by six' concept (though I think it's a little simplistic), but do LEOs, judges and juries tend to understand why there are five eyeballs on the floor by the time they arrive on the scene?

[MP]

I can tell you that we have learnt more about RBSD from punks than than any martial artist.

They use verbal initiators, pattern interrupt, the environment and all (as stated by Darren) and sometimes don't expect you to use it on them...

here's a quote from a book (can't remember which one...)

"When you are surronded by twelve guys with chains, 2x4s, knives and bottles there is only one thing to ask yourself: Who do I kill first?"

My "make a statement" concept helped me in afew jams.... When you realize you out numbered. Don't let the discussion start... Grab the closest and commit an atrocity on his person, The others stare and gawk for a few seconds, you can engage a second one quickly or flee or "it depends...

Noithing says don't fuk with me like having a solid anchor on a guy's head and As he screeches and freaks to break off , you have one or more digits 2 inches in his head... finger fakking his eye socket. When you toss him aside and he is screeching on the deck pawing at his face you can sucker hit a second one, smile like a wolf and punt his head.

Predators in the wild like to attack easy preys. They, most of the times pick you or someone else because they expected an easy mark (true or perceived). Reverse this on them...

No recipes for the wolf pack, RBSD is civilian counter ambush, don't give them a chance to get the drop on ya...

Cheers!

"Never kill anyone unless you have to!

MP

[kingobikes]

Darren,
thanks for posting.

I personally find it truly frightening.
When at school age myself, sure we play fought, wrestled etc.

This is a planned and very efficient group attack.

The naysayers can't convince me it's just kids playing with a dummy. This is what your kids are potentially up against going into high school and possibly junior high. They are also a lot more efficient with their group attack than anything I've seen before at that age (heck, any age). Even on a dummy.

The lightning speed of the sucker punch while surrounded really makes situational awareness a must, and preperation for a pre-emptive attack akin to MP's comments essential.

It's defnitely a evolution in 'play fighting' compared to what I grew up with.

Thanks again,
Mark

[Richard Dimitri]

Great post. Talking from experiences here in dealing with multiples, nothing is etched in stone... at all. MP's points are on the money, however, in a particular situation I was in facing off against 4 plus a bouncer where 2 of the 4 were armed with improvised weapons the "make a statement" concept didn't particularly help me, actually, if it wasn't for my ability to not attach myself to any concept, I would have panicked there and then as when I attempted to make my first statement which left the closest guy to me completely disfigured and convulsing in a puddle of his own blood, his friends didn't skip a beat and were all over me with no hesitation.

Truth to tell and without trying to sound like I am selling anything, if it wasn't for the Shredder, I would not have made it out alive that evening. They were all over me, up close and very personal striking at me with everything they had but being so close took away their grounding, distance and torque and left me with nothing more than the Shredder as a tool to defend myself with as conventional striking or grappling would have resulted in my death that night. I made it home with a gash across my face and left arm, puked my lungs out and barely sgot any sleep the rest of tha week. The images still haunt me as it was bar none the most brutal situation I ever found myself in.

[Adrienne]

Multiple attackers - I can't even manage to defend myself against one - if it happened where there was more than one - multiples - i really really wouldn't know what to do - i don't think i'd stand a chance.

Adrienne

[Richard Dimitri]

Multiple attackers - I can't even manage to defend myself against one - if it happened where there was more than one - multiples - i really really wouldn't know what to do - i don't think i'd stand a chance.

Adrienne, if you fundamentally believe that, then it will become your reality. The very first step in self defense is redefining your beliefs for ones that congruous to your objectives, in this case, your objectives being 'survival' and right now, your beliefs aren't supporting your objectives.

[Adrienne]

The other week, I think I found my trigger (or a trigger at that particular time anyway), and that was enough to make me struggle when he wanted me to stay still, so I do feel like i did something to defend myself/fight back from what was happening or from what i thought was going to happen.

And I am working on it. When Stu came down to do my training on the weekend, he pushed me quite hard with it all. He didn't make it so easy so I am working on it.

But, and I'm sorry, it is still how I feel at the moment - defending against one person who is attacking you and trying to defend yourself against multiple attackers - i think i need to feel confident about defending against one - because right now, my mental state, if i was suddenly attacked by more than one, then i really wouldn't know what to do.

Guess that's something else to work on when i do finally get to the scenario part of the training.

Adrienne

[djaab]

you can't change your mind in an instant, but you have to make your mind work for you and say to yourself that it is possible, because then, you will automatically look for reasons that support that belief, and you will apply it to your training as well. it will take more ground in your reality. dig for things that proove that you can do it!

as long as you can reach somebody's face (actually any part of the body, but the goal is the primary targets eventually), you can defend yourself against one. you have to allow yourself to be agressive (it's you or the attacker, If you could choose, which one you would choose?. btw, you can choose).

about multiples, there's no miracle method, but on good principle is to align them, use the one you're hurting like a shield, it allows you to reduce it to a one on one, than another one on one.


but you can't hesitate, you have to take the decision to "unleash the demon" in you before it could happen.


and of course, awareness can help you to not get in this kind of situations.



because if you don't watch out for your beliefs, you will dramatically reduce your chances to defend yourself, it's that simple.

it's better to have in mind to hurt tha attacker and get out of here asap than "I can't, I'm out... but I can try this maybe"

your intent determines a lot of things.

[Darren Laur]

The very first step in self defense is redefining your beliefs for ones that congruous to your objectives, in this case, your objectives being 'survival' and right now, your beliefs aren't supporting your objectives.

Rich, I have followed your work, and growth for years, and I must say that the above noted statement made by you is one, if not THE most important words that those studying self protection can internalize. The mind guides the body, and beliefs will form what we will, or will not do when we find ourselves in that Holy Shyte moment. This is another reason why training with immagination and emotion is sooooooooo very important.


Too many people are looking for that magical "physical" technique, when in fact the "keystone" to survival is emotionally and psychologically based.


Darren

[MP]

This is the cornerstone... 'redefining your beliefs'

It simply starts with this.

Thank you Officer Laur! for starting a great thread!

MP

[Darren Laur]

MP:

No, thank you and Rich for allowing me to continue to post my thoughts in "your house" !!!!!!!


The problem that I have with those who teach TMA, MMA, RBSD or anyone else who say that they are teaching "street", is that often they are failing to train the emotional "states" that need to be "anchored" to make their training transferable to the street during SSR.


One of my most recent quotes:

"Self Protection Training without Imagination, Emotion, SSR, and Anchored State is merely just exercising"

Darren

[MP]

No matter what or who the posters are affiliated too is irrelevant if the info is pertinent and/or useful. Senshido would not have evolved to what it is now if we would not have had our doors open to anything or anyone with credible, researched and experienced based opinions.

Not to speak for Rich, but we did not pull the info out of a hat and credit has to be given to everyone who shaped us (even unknowingly) into what we are today.

Cheers!

MP