Hi there fellow Wing Chun Kung Fu fanatic —

This is Robert, from www.WingChunLife.com. I heard the following story from a friend and wanted to ask you a question…

 

What would you do if you’re out numbered, outgunned and you can’t run?

 

A few summers ago a friend was on holiday with his kids in Southwestern China. A family friend of his took him to an outdoor market to buy locally grown tea as gifts for his trip back to the States.

As they left market and walked back to the main road he saw a man on a bicycle riding past and a group of four children, all around 13 years old, running behind him.

They were reaching into the man’s bag. They were picking his pocket.

So, my friend let out a yell to make the man glance back. It worked.

The man on the bicycle looked back to see where the noise came from and by doing so he saw the kids trying to pick his pocket. The crime was stopped.

But then, according to my friend…

“The thugs started following us. At the time my kids were both less than 6 years old and our family friend who took us shopping was an older man in his 60s.

He told me to keep walking and that these thugs probably carried knives.

Then I noticed up ahead of us there was another group of thugs. They were older and bigger.

‘Great’, I thought. This was an organized gang and we’re right in the middle of their territory. I got two kids, babies basically, and one old man with me.”

 

The first rule of self-defense is: avoid the fight

 

But in this case, “I couldn’t run and leave everyone behind. We were outnumbered and most likely out-’gunned’. My adrenaline started to pulse through my body and I was amped, on full tilt and ready to rip someone apart.”

Long story short… “after following us for two blocks they broke off and left us alone. No one got hurt and I didn’t have to kill or maim anyone or spend a few nights in a Chinese prison for doing so.”

But, what do you do if you’re in a situation like this?

Start by looking for ways to evade or escape. If that’s not an option look to gain an advantage or even the odds.

“By this point we were crossing the street, and I noticed that there were more thugs on the other side too. Apparently, they had staked out this busy intersection to systematically pick pockets. They were on every corner.

I should have thought about getting ready to make a scene, hoping that drivers, shopkeepers and other people on the street get involved and help us. But, I didn’t. And that could have been a big mistake.”

Getting other people involved can give you an advantage and protection. It could be enough to make the bad guys think twice.

 

Instead, he was expecting a guerilla type attack

 

Since he pissed this gang off by stopping them from robbing the man on the bike. He figured they’d want to “teach him a lesson” by taking it out on the weaker ones, his kids or older friend. Something like running by and push one of them down to the street or worse, cut someone with a knife.

So he grouped everyone together… “Then I got ready to even the odds:

I had keys in my pocket: Perfect for hitting, slashing and tearing up flesh.

I had an umbrella: Good for striking and defending.

I had a backpack: Useful as a shield and also as a weapon.

Then there was the street itself: I was ready to kick, push and throw these dummies into traffic.

After that, I selected my targets. If anything happens, I’m going after the eyes, throat, groin and knee caps…”

 

Luckily, for my friend… and those street thugs, it didn’t get physical.

But it could have and that’s why you got to keep up your training. You want to be prepared, like my friend, to use it when you need to, even while on vacation.

And be smart. The first rule is to avoid the fight. That includes fleeing or getting strangers to back you up. If that’s not an option be ready to end it fast and get to safety.