someone just blindside knocking you down in team sports

[everything]

this isn't really something I watch out for, but considering baguazhang for "multiple attackers" type of thing, it seems like I could do it. here's two scenarios that happened to me recently. playing something called indoor soccer. our team was better and winning. other team got frustrated and more physical.

1. i ran ahead of the attacker, in front of his path because the ball was there. he just pushed me down and then complained i can't cut in front (not true) when i won the free kick.
2. ran to cut off attacker, started to block path of ball. this guy just shoulder charged me with a pretty good "kao" instead of making any attempt to play. i won the free kick but in this case no one complained as the foul was obvious.

in this case, i didn't really care as my breakfall was pretty ok, and i was happy to win the free kicks and give them no chance to continue the attacking play. OTOH, it seems stupid to me to not better factor in the variable some idiot will just use "pushing" or "kao".

Q: if you are assuming 1v1. push hands or other similar MA context, there are things you might do as anti-kao or anti-knockdown. when you aren't assuming this context, but if you assume someone may come along and accidentally or deliberately collide, how should you approach your anti-knockdown defense?

[Steve James]

Relax. Either it'll kill you or not. Seriously, your fall or roll technique has to be second nature. However, the opponent's best strategy will be to hit you when you can't see it coming. Those are the ones that get you.

[everything]

I'm ok with my fall technique. Usually fine. One good thing about MA I still use.

I'd rather have one eye out for fouls when it's obvious the opponent is frustrated, but without fouling back. Much more satisfying to just keep winning. But I don't want to get needlessly fouled.

[dspyrido]

when you aren't assuming this context, but if you assume someone may come along and accidentally or deliberately collide, how should you approach your anti-knockdown defense?

Drop the bodyweight (squat down) & stick a shoulder into them. It's hard to flatten someone when they are lower than you. It's really easy to ankle tap someone who is standing high up & running.

To condition for it:
1. Get used to being hit (peda/any contact sports)
2. Lots of squats