# A Surefire Counter!

- Link: https://brianejohns.com/2015/12/10/blog-a-surefire-counter/
- Published: 2015-12-10T18:25:00-05:00
- Author: Brian Johns

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](https://youtu.be/CZienIKOfec).

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?”

If you are not able to view this video, click [here](https://youtu.be/AnOvYvFrBio).

## 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.**

## Additional Reading

 * [Two Great Reasons To Move Your Feet](https://brianejohns.com/2015/05/13/blog-two-great-reasons-to-move-your-feet/)
 * [Book Review: “Martial Power” by Steven J. Pearlman](https://brianejohns.com/2008/05/28/blog-book-review-martial-power-by-steven-j-pearlman/)
 * [Counters to Disarms](https://brianejohns.com/2016/11/22/blog-counters-to-disarms/)
 * [Video of the Week 2: Footwork](https://brianejohns.com/2024/03/04/video-of-the-week-2-footwork/)
 * [When to Teach Counters?](https://brianejohns.com/2016/04/21/blog-when-to-teach-counters/)

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