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Defense vs. Counter Attack…
Lets take a look at both of these options made available to us as immediate viable solutions in response against combative situations. When we research and consider any and all ramifications of both one will clearly stand out far above the other.
Defense implies that there will be no primary offensive action involved but rather we will merely attempt to thwart an attack made on our person by “blocking” or “stopping” that attack in progress, without necessarily striking back. Defense by definition means to simply deny access to vital targets attempted on your person from ones opponent. When we react in this manner by limiting ourselves to defensive measures only we close ourselves off to immediate counter potential made available to us which could severely undermine our opponents ability to continue attacking our position in combat. When we “block” without immediate retaliation answering our opponents attack, we only achieve the act of inviting another attempt on our person, as there were no consequences forced onto the attacker for his initial aggressive action to begin with.
When we counter in lieu of defense we achieve the same goal; protecting ourselves but we eliminate the threat being forced against us much quicker by simultaneously striking our opponent with swift and decisive counter activity. Thereby limiting opportunity made available to our opponent and diminishing his will (or ability) to continue his attack. When we counter right away instead of “blocking” or trying to “stop” the attack before retaliating we can forego all of the bastardization of movement and hit our opponent immediately forcing severe consequences onto him for his actions while holding him fully accountable for his aggressive ambitions.
When I fight I get operational and immediately reposition myself as an attack is in progress too not only remove myself from the direct line of attack in a timely manner but simultaneously I will counter that attack from a new vantage point while dealing with any counter activity from my opponent, should there be any. As opposed to only responding from where I am comfortable I will always counter from where my blade stops. The shortest distance from the point of my blade to the closest counter opportunity is what I will act on while simultaneously dealing with any threat made on my person at any time.
Albert Einstein wrote; “Nothing happens until something moves” which is totally relevant here. Meaning that anytime that something moves something is happening, allow me to expound on this if I may. When my opponent is intent on doing me bodily harm he will move on my person with aggression. As he does this he announces intent which allows me to counter right away. By enhancing my ability to perceive and react I can counter as soon as I see my opponent telegraph his strike or intentions and remove the threat faced quickly without placing myself deeper in harms way. This is true not only concerning initial attacks but all counter attacks in like manner.
If I were to “block and counter” I waste valuable time and risk losing access to fleeting opportunity made available to me in real time, because this defensive act is too time consuming. Whereas when I am attacked I deal with the attack and simultaneously counter attack any available opportunity right away with the same movement. As a direct result of this action I decrease the amount of time that it takes for me to effectively respond to that attack and I will have access to more counter opportunity made available to me in real time.
In the same amount of time, which it takes for me to “block and retaliate”, I can disembowel or slam my knife through my opponents head in only half that time. I am sure that you have all heard the old adage; “the best defense is a strong offense”, yes? I can assure you that this is not what I am referring to. As if you are always on the offense you will not counter well to unexpected attacks sure to come your way in combat. Simply because you will block yourself off to this possibility as you have already made your mind up to be the aggressor and you will aimlessly push yourself onto your opponent at all cost. In doing so mistakes may be made, as you may not recognize any counter activity made available to your opponent through your aggressive actions.
We have to remain calm and maintain the ability to adapt and adjust in combat, remaining patient will yield great results at this time. In combat we have very little time to react so we must make the correct reactions the first time. Yes, we are to move swiftly with effect in combat but move only in haste without intent and you may fall victim in your rush to act. The best of warriors remove all distractions from their mind and by emptying their mind and not hanging on to one specific thing will they be left open to anything. Making them more viable to change, which along with uncertainty are the very forces which govern combat.
Timing is of essence in combat, act prematurely and you may be caught on the “in-between”, hesitate or refuse to act and you will be taken down right away. When opportunity is revealed it is imperative that we act with intention and as we act we are charged to remain at the ready for any counter activity that we may encounter in our resolve to contain the situation with effect.
Webster’s dictionary states that:
“Defense” is defined as “resistance against attack”.
“Defend” is defined as “to guard against assault or injury”.
“Counter” is defined as “In the reverse direction” or “to act in opposition”
“Counter attack” is defined as “an attack made as an offset to another attack”
Which sounds to be more effective in combat? To “resist” or “guard”? Or to “oppose” and “offset”? I can resist all day (yeah right) but if I never retaliate I will not be able to contend with and alter the severe consequences being played out on my life. If we think in terms of defense that will be all that we are capable of, if we think in terms of counter attacking we will be more proned to surviving combative situations. I can not accept that I will be allowed to just solely defend and be able to put down a crisis situation with positive effect. I am confident that I have to strike back and strike back hard and fast if I will survive an attack on my life. So if I go into the situation looking to quickly strike right away with effect when opportunity presents itself instead of blocking a first attack only leaving me vulnerable to a second I will certainly gain an advantage.
We are only as prepared as we have realistically developed in training. We are only as effective as our abilities will reveal themselves to be in the total uncertainty of combat. And we are only as strong as our greatest weakness revealed in combat. Resolve will see us through rough times, determination will allow us to stay abreast of pain and distraction and combative effect will ensure us survival. Again I reiterate that when we change the way that we look at things, the things that we look at change. Strike first and strike last even when your opponent initiates is the way gentlemen, anything less only invites defeat.
Guro Dave Gould.
Lets take a look at both of these options made available to us as immediate viable solutions in response against combative situations. When we research and consider any and all ramifications of both one will clearly stand out far above the other.
Defense implies that there will be no primary offensive action involved but rather we will merely attempt to thwart an attack made on our person by “blocking” or “stopping” that attack in progress, without necessarily striking back. Defense by definition means to simply deny access to vital targets attempted on your person from ones opponent. When we react in this manner by limiting ourselves to defensive measures only we close ourselves off to immediate counter potential made available to us which could severely undermine our opponents ability to continue attacking our position in combat. When we “block” without immediate retaliation answering our opponents attack, we only achieve the act of inviting another attempt on our person, as there were no consequences forced onto the attacker for his initial aggressive action to begin with.
When we counter in lieu of defense we achieve the same goal; protecting ourselves but we eliminate the threat being forced against us much quicker by simultaneously striking our opponent with swift and decisive counter activity. Thereby limiting opportunity made available to our opponent and diminishing his will (or ability) to continue his attack. When we counter right away instead of “blocking” or trying to “stop” the attack before retaliating we can forego all of the bastardization of movement and hit our opponent immediately forcing severe consequences onto him for his actions while holding him fully accountable for his aggressive ambitions.
When I fight I get operational and immediately reposition myself as an attack is in progress too not only remove myself from the direct line of attack in a timely manner but simultaneously I will counter that attack from a new vantage point while dealing with any counter activity from my opponent, should there be any. As opposed to only responding from where I am comfortable I will always counter from where my blade stops. The shortest distance from the point of my blade to the closest counter opportunity is what I will act on while simultaneously dealing with any threat made on my person at any time.
Albert Einstein wrote; “Nothing happens until something moves” which is totally relevant here. Meaning that anytime that something moves something is happening, allow me to expound on this if I may. When my opponent is intent on doing me bodily harm he will move on my person with aggression. As he does this he announces intent which allows me to counter right away. By enhancing my ability to perceive and react I can counter as soon as I see my opponent telegraph his strike or intentions and remove the threat faced quickly without placing myself deeper in harms way. This is true not only concerning initial attacks but all counter attacks in like manner.
If I were to “block and counter” I waste valuable time and risk losing access to fleeting opportunity made available to me in real time, because this defensive act is too time consuming. Whereas when I am attacked I deal with the attack and simultaneously counter attack any available opportunity right away with the same movement. As a direct result of this action I decrease the amount of time that it takes for me to effectively respond to that attack and I will have access to more counter opportunity made available to me in real time.
In the same amount of time, which it takes for me to “block and retaliate”, I can disembowel or slam my knife through my opponents head in only half that time. I am sure that you have all heard the old adage; “the best defense is a strong offense”, yes? I can assure you that this is not what I am referring to. As if you are always on the offense you will not counter well to unexpected attacks sure to come your way in combat. Simply because you will block yourself off to this possibility as you have already made your mind up to be the aggressor and you will aimlessly push yourself onto your opponent at all cost. In doing so mistakes may be made, as you may not recognize any counter activity made available to your opponent through your aggressive actions.
We have to remain calm and maintain the ability to adapt and adjust in combat, remaining patient will yield great results at this time. In combat we have very little time to react so we must make the correct reactions the first time. Yes, we are to move swiftly with effect in combat but move only in haste without intent and you may fall victim in your rush to act. The best of warriors remove all distractions from their mind and by emptying their mind and not hanging on to one specific thing will they be left open to anything. Making them more viable to change, which along with uncertainty are the very forces which govern combat.
Timing is of essence in combat, act prematurely and you may be caught on the “in-between”, hesitate or refuse to act and you will be taken down right away. When opportunity is revealed it is imperative that we act with intention and as we act we are charged to remain at the ready for any counter activity that we may encounter in our resolve to contain the situation with effect.
Webster’s dictionary states that:
“Defense” is defined as “resistance against attack”.
“Defend” is defined as “to guard against assault or injury”.
“Counter” is defined as “In the reverse direction” or “to act in opposition”
“Counter attack” is defined as “an attack made as an offset to another attack”
Which sounds to be more effective in combat? To “resist” or “guard”? Or to “oppose” and “offset”? I can resist all day (yeah right) but if I never retaliate I will not be able to contend with and alter the severe consequences being played out on my life. If we think in terms of defense that will be all that we are capable of, if we think in terms of counter attacking we will be more proned to surviving combative situations. I can not accept that I will be allowed to just solely defend and be able to put down a crisis situation with positive effect. I am confident that I have to strike back and strike back hard and fast if I will survive an attack on my life. So if I go into the situation looking to quickly strike right away with effect when opportunity presents itself instead of blocking a first attack only leaving me vulnerable to a second I will certainly gain an advantage.
We are only as prepared as we have realistically developed in training. We are only as effective as our abilities will reveal themselves to be in the total uncertainty of combat. And we are only as strong as our greatest weakness revealed in combat. Resolve will see us through rough times, determination will allow us to stay abreast of pain and distraction and combative effect will ensure us survival. Again I reiterate that when we change the way that we look at things, the things that we look at change. Strike first and strike last even when your opponent initiates is the way gentlemen, anything less only invites defeat.
Guro Dave Gould.