The Forgotten Art of Fighting Against Multiple Opponents
A Practical Guide for Staff and Baton Martial Artists
From the distant times of ferocious open field battles to the most basic and oldest self defence scenario of having to face gangs of robbers, mankind has always been daunted by the need to overcome larger groups of opponents. Being Jogo do Pau the only living European Martial Art with an unbroken lineage, the systematization presented of its skills for outnumbered combat establishes a bridge between present and past, allowing for a better understanding of both technique and tactics found in other European Fencing schools, such as the German and Italian. The Doebringer manuscript is a clear example of this, through statements such as "make sure, that they can't get at you all at once" ... "that you quickly attack the ones on the outer ends, before the others turn against you, then they will have to turn after you since you are leading. Then you can well notice, when it is or is not save to move away from the opponent and then leap away from him as I say. There is no hurt or disgrace to run away from four or six." The additional analysis regarding shorter one handed weapons such as the baton and walking cane make this document unique and extremely valuable for anyone interested in both the historical and practical side of martial arts for self defence.
