So...basically what you are saying is that kicks above the waist are useless. If the situations you described were one on one, then apparently there never is a good time for a kick right?

I think that whether multiple attackers or just one, you need to look for an opening. You have to use common sense of course..kick when you have an opportunity. If there is no opening, then don't. You definitely shouldn't be throwing out blind attacks.

The same thing has to be applied to punches: If you punch at a time when you shouldn't, you will likely also get beat..