# Counters to Disarms

- Link: https://brianejohns.com/2016/11/22/blog-counters-to-disarms/
- Published: 2016-11-22T23:08:00-05:00
- Author: Brian Johns

### _“How do you do these counters to the disarms?”_

### _“It’s easy; you must relax and practice them repeatedly.”_

During one class, I taught some counters to the #1 disarm taught in Modern Arnis.
I taught these counters in the context of some principles I wanted to impart to 
my students.

If you are not able to view this video, please click [here](https://youtu.be/dH5_KDIHUwo).

While demonstrating the [counters](https://brianejohns.com/2015/12/10/blog-a-surefire-counter/),
I explained that relaxation is critical in countering a [disarm](https://brianejohns.com/2025/03/03/video-of-the-week-30-left-hand-disarms/).
If you don’t relax, you will likely be unable to counter the disarm. Conversely,
your counter attempts will likely fail if you are stiff or resist an opponent’s 
technique with muscular strength. Stiffness and resistance have the magical effect
of restricting your ability to see the openings for a counter.

## Learning 󠀁[how to relax](https://brianejohns.com//2016/07/25/blog-four-easy-ways-to-teach-relaxation/)󠁿 is a prerequisite for a successful counter to a disarm.

Rather than bombard my students with_ various principles for a counter, I tell them,“
[first, you need to relax](https://brianejohns.com/2016/04/21/blog-when-to-teach-counters/)_,”
and make this concrete through a few counters.

If you are not able to view the video, click [here](https://youtu.be/DlBZ7BlPz6k).

The first video contains four counters to the first disarm in Modern Arnis. The 
second video shows three counters to the second disarm. In teaching my students,
I spread these counters throughout the class. This way, they have ample time to 
practice each counter and learn what it takes to succeed.

Only then will I tell my students the three basic principles involved in the counters
demonstrated in the video mentioned above:

 1. Sacrifice your stick if necessary;
 2. If you can grab your partner’s cane, do it! This will usually lead to a counter.
 3. If you can grab your cane, there may be a counter there.

Can you spot these concepts in both videos? 

In addition, I emphasize to my students that:

 * There is usually more than one counter available at any given time.
 * Learning to counter a disarm takes time and much practice.

As mentioned above, relaxation is crucial to pulling off a successful counter. I
like to think of this as a metaphor for life. Being as relaxed and composed for 
any stressful situation will be critical to a successful outcome. Thinking on your
feet instead of instinctively hunkering down will enable you to negotiate through
difficult times and disarms.

## To summarize, relaxation is vital. The students also need to translate “you must relax!” into concrete examples. Most importantly, tons of repetitions of some counters will drive home Professor Presas’s admonishment for us to “go with the flow” and “counter the counter!”

## Additional Reading

 * [Friday Recommendation #18](https://brianejohns.com/2023/09/01/friday-recommendation-18/)
 * [Four Easy Ways to Teach Relaxation!](https://brianejohns.com/2016/07/25/blog-four-easy-ways-to-teach-relaxation/)
 * [Hunting for Disarm #2](https://brianejohns.com/2022/06/15/blog-hunting-for-disarm-2/)
 * [Fix It Friday: Not Thissss](https://brianejohns.com/2015/07/07/blog-fix-it-friday-not-thissss/)
 * [When to Teach Counters?](https://brianejohns.com/2016/04/21/blog-when-to-teach-counters/)

### Share this post:

 * [  X ](https://brianejohns.com/2016/11/22/blog-counters-to-disarms/?share=twitter)
 * [  Facebook ](https://brianejohns.com/2016/11/22/blog-counters-to-disarms/?share=facebook)
 * [  LinkedIn ](https://brianejohns.com/2016/11/22/blog-counters-to-disarms/?share=linkedin)
 * [  Threads ](https://brianejohns.com/2016/11/22/blog-counters-to-disarms/?share=threads)
 * [  WhatsApp ](https://brianejohns.com/2016/11/22/blog-counters-to-disarms/?share=jetpack-whatsapp)
 * [  Email ](https://brianejohns.com/2016/11/22/blog-counters-to-disarms/?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20Counters%20to%20Disarms&body=https%3A%2F%2Fbrianejohns.com%2F2016%2F11%2F22%2Fblog-counters-to-disarms%2F&share=email)
 * [  Print ](https://brianejohns.com/2016/11/22/blog-counters-to-disarms/#print?share=print)

### Like this:

Like Loading…

### _Related_