Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Bandung : grapple or not - dilemma - 3

LESS APPROPRIATE SCENARIOS: (WHEN NOT TO GRAPPLE)
MULTIPLE ATTACK SCENARIO: When facing more than one opponent and you are alone; then it is of course, advisable not to go to ground. If they are many, and you are alone; I contend that you may well end up on the ground anyway; and so should be able to try something.

I've taught several people who work regularly in the security (nightclub, pub) industry, who have on several occasions borne the brunt of an attack by half a dozen assailants and more. In several cases, they have reported that sheer numbers drove them down, and they could nothing at all to stay on their feet. In other words, they had no choice. They have gone on to say, that on several such occasions, they have emerged fairly unscathed.

The problem for the 'bad guys' was one of 'too many' trying to do the same thing with the end result being that they just got in each others way. Also in several such scenario's, I've been told that the grapplers were able to 'choke out' one or more of the aggressors by fighting from the 'bottom position'; where they were to some degree protected from third party attack.

THE REALITY: DO NOT CHOOSE TO GO TO THE GROUND WHEN FACING MORE THAN ONE ATTACKER. DO WHAT YOU CAN TO WIN ON YOUR FEET. THOUGH THREE OR FOUR DETERMINED AGGRESSORS WILL ALMOST ALWAYS SEE YOU ON THE FLOOR. I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT THREE GUYS 'SPARRING' YOU, I MEAN A COUPLE OF PEOPLE WHO REALLY MEAN BUSINESS.
BEST BETS: IF YOU DO GO DOWN UNDER THE WEIGHT OF NUMBERS, THEN GO UNDERNEATH ONE, KEEP HIM CLOSE AND USE HIM AS A SHIELD. TRY TO CHOKE HIM OUT! MOVE ON TO ANOTHER, DO IT ALL AGAIN. TOUGH IT OUT.

CROWDED PLACE & ANONYMOUS SCENARIO: Even when you are only fighting 'one on one', but you are alone in a place where there are many people who don't know you, it is inadvisable to go to the ground. The reason being, that every now and then, some 'innocent onlooking Samaritan' will intervene and cause you grief in his efforts to 'save' the other guy. This has personally happened to me; when I had mounted (achieved a stable position on top) my opponent and was busily putting him away and a bystander came to his 'rescue'. I then had to deal with the bystander in a like manner, for once he was 'underway' there was not stopping him with words. In that situation, an innocent party was also 'put out' for trying (wrongly) to do what he thought was right. A tough situation!

In a crowded situation, it's best to stay up, unless you have the support of people who can protect you from the well-meaning third party who might have missed the start of the fight and misinterpret events.

THE REALITY: SOMETIMES PEOPLE DON'T CARE WHO STARTS AN ALTERCATION, THEY JUST WANT TO STOP THE GUY WHO IS WINNING.
BEST BETS: FINISH OPPONENT QUICKLY IN THIS SITUATION, OR GO UNDERNEATH AND FINISH HIM FROM THERE; MISLEADING ONLOOKERS INTO THINKING HE'S WINNING BECAUSE HE'S ON TOP.

... CONSIDERATIONS...
Don't choose to take the fight to the ground unless either:
1. You know something about grappling/wrestling.
or
2. You are taking a beating on your feet and have no choice but to try and equalise the odds.