The following outline applies to situations where the fight looks like it is inevitable. That is, you have tried tactics to defuse the situation (such as: being considerate, using distractions, using assertive voice or stance, acting crazy, leaving the situation, etc.) or the situation occurs too quickly to try such tactics.

Single Unarmed Conflict:
For you to consider and evaluate:

• Physical Factors
• Distance between yourself and your opponent needs to be optimized so that you can attack without them being able to do so effectively.
• Regulate your timing, rhythm, and speed. Don't get locked into your opponent's timing
• Keep centered and in balance (both posture and stance). Capture your opponent's balance.Take advantage of momentum to create openings.
• Protect your center-line while opening up your opponent's centerline
• Stay mobile and fluid. Remember to relax.
• Make your movements efficient to eliminate "telegraphing".
• Techniques should come from your entire body. Connect your techniques to your hips and to the ground.
• Use simple, low committment techniques. Just because a flying, triple roundhouse kick to the head works in the movies dosn't mean it will in reality. Even if it does, there are probably more energy efficient ways to accomplish the same goal.
• Remember to breathe.
• Consider your environment including improvised weapons

• Psychological Factors
• Remain calm and unperturbed (abdomninal breathing helps)
• Maintain feeling of mental centeredness
• Have positive attitude
• Keep your mind uncluttered and unattached; stay focused

Multiple, Unarmed Assailants:

Keep in mind the above. If it applies to fighting one person, it applies to fighting many. Other things to consider:

• Psychological Factors
• The Domino Theory (if one falls, they all fall).
• If possible, take the leader out of the action.
• Make the first one you take out of action, messy, brutal, uncouth. Act the crazed killer if necessary.
• Do NOT show fear. Like a pack of dogs, one smell of fear and they will attack.
• Take the attack to them. Keep them on the defensive.

• Physical Factors
• Using circular body movements can be helpful to keep them from surrounding you.
• Move so they get in the way of each other. Keep them in line with you rather than letting them flank you.
• Make each technique count. Energy could become a limiting factor in your fighting effectiveness.
• Use the environment:
• use potential weapons/shields.
• limit their access to you without hampering your mobility
• use obstacles to your advantage

Same as the above. Additional factors to consider are:

• The situation needs to be over even more quickly
• Take a weapon away and make it look easy and messy. If you have a choice, don't choose a knife wielder for this.
• Remember distances of engagement are increased.