A surefire counter to most techniques is simply hitting your opponent, either with the cane or with your check/alive hand.

If you are not able to view the video, click here.

The above video illustrates a simple way to prevent an opponent from grabbing your cane. Either hit them with a thrust or a hit to the noggin, or keep the cane out of range. Keep your opponent busy to even think about closing the gap, or anything else they might be thinking of. Hitting is a useful tool!

As one can see in this fantastic clip of the legendary GM Antonio Illustrisimo and his student, the late GM Tony Diego, Tatang Illustrisimo displays the concept of hitting several times by intercepting GM Diego’s attacks with various striking methods. Indeed, he stops GM Tony Diego dead in his tracks, before he can launch an attack. Can you say “surefire counter?”

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For those who have practiced, trained and taught Filipino Martial Arts for several years, this is not exactly a profound revelation. However, it may be for those starting or learning their way around their respective system. 

Some get caught up in the counters. “What’s the counter to this?” or “How do you counter this move?” Some get caught up in knowing and memorizing every counter in the book. Some become very good at these counters. I had this mindset years ago.

Ultimately, it becomes pointless to stuff your head with all kinds of counters.

Instead of techniques, one needs to get into the counter principles.

One of those counter principles is at the beginning of this article, the quote by Master Chuck Gauss: “when in doubt, hit them!” If you are unsure how to counter someone at a moment during sparring/sumbrada or tapi tapi, hit!

Hitting is a surefire counter!

If one explores their respective art, one will be able to determine the principles of countering through practice and guidance from an instructor. This will, in turn, lead to the discovery of strategies and tactics to implement these principles.

Simple techniques usually dictate the strategies and tactics of countering. Simple moves.

It does not matter if the move is banda y banda, rompida, figure 8, reverse figure 8, high palis palis (GM Illustrisimo does this particular move several times in the above video).

Keep it simple. If a counter has multiple components, it’s not likely to work.

Yes, it’s fun to explore the various counters for which Filipino Martial Arts is well-known. Experimentation helps to expand your horizons and to see the possibilities.

However, it all comes back to simple principles. 

Simple principles, such as hitting, which in turn, employ simple moves.

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