The Laws of Melee Combat
Stay in motion. Movements must be done while in motion with the assumption that you are constantly being flanked by another person. Techniques must take place in the time is would take to swing an axe at you from behind. Stationary position either standing or on the ground will get you killed. Kicking to the opponents groin may allow them to clamp their legs shut trapping your foot reducing your mobility. For a one on one encounter this momentary delay may not be a significant consideration, but with blades coming for your back, you must reconsider techniques which can slow you down. Getting knocked to the ground is a death sentence so keep kicking low and to a minimum. Melee combat is not the place to get overly fixated on a single person. You may not have to kill them. The person in front of you may not be your target and locking onto them too much may blind you to the overall flow of the crowd. You may only need to disable them or compromise them so that they next person can finish them off. The primary goal is to get them to give up and run away. Routing them and demoralizing them is the primary goal.
2. Cut them where they are can’t cut you back using positional hierarchy. The best position is behind them. The next is to the side of them with their arms controlled. The third best is in front of them, and the worst position will be on the ground, horizontal, or otherwise rendered immobile.
3. Use your enemies for cover. Your primary shield after footwork are your other enemies. Ruin their armor so you can save your own. Its better to block with their arms and their swords than your own. This also makes it difficult to become the target of ranged attacks or long weapons as they will be afraid to hit their own man. The heart of melee combat is mobility.
4. Rout them. Your end goal is to control the crowd itself and get the mob to lose their will to fight, retreat, or surrender.
