How to master the Art of COUNTER-STRIKING⚡💥: Outsmarting Aggression

The Pen and Sword Journal - Vol 69

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1️⃣Pen and Sword Journal: Articles regarding the Way of the Warrior, blending martial arts wisdom and philosophy.

2️⃣Reflections series: Thoughts on psychology, mental health, zen, philosophy, and self-development for your inner work.

Each week, I alternate between these series. Each series reflects my background in martial arts and psychology. Appreciate you for being here!

Hello everyone,

Today, this week’s article was inspired by a memory from one of my first amateur kickboxing matches as a teenager. It’s an experience that left a lasting impression on me.

My opponent was an aggressive brawler, throwing relentless power punches to overwhelm me. By the final round, I was exhausted, and doubts started creeping in. A part of me believed I was losing, but another part of me refused to quit. I made a decision at that moment: I will keep going on until the very end, no matter what.

Then, something unexpected happened. As my opponent charged at me with his usual aggression, something that I wasn’t expecting happened. Without even thinking, I executed a perfect counter straight cross. The punch landed cleanly, and my opponent went down.

At first, I thought it was just a lucky punch. But reflecting later, I realized it wasn’t. That counter wasn’t a fluke, it was the result of hours upon hours of drilling, sparring, and refining my counter techniques. My muscle memory and subconscious assisted me when I made the decision to not stop.

Using this counter as a starting point, today I want to delve into the importance of counter-striking skills and how to master them.

In martial arts, counters are an invaluable tool not just for their effectiveness during a match, but especially when you’re low on power. The beauty of counter-strikes lies in their efficiency, as they leverage your opponent’s aggression and momentum against them.

Also, at the end I will add in interesting perspective for who don’t practice martial arts as well. It’s about a fascinating parallel related to the concept of psychological countering.

Why are counter-strikes so effective?

In most strikes aimed at you (if not in all of them), there is an opening.

The art of countering is grasping opportunity where others see threat.

The answer to this question is simple. There are two main reasons why counters are so effective. One is physical, and the other is psychological.

• Let’s start with the physical reason:

When your opponent throws a punch, their body is moving toward you.

A counter punch times your strike to land just as their momentum is moving into your punch.

This collision amplifies the impact, following the principle of physics that combines both forces.

It’s practically Newton's Second Law: Force = Mass × Acceleration. Both your punch and your opponent's motion add to the overall impact.

• The psychological reason:

1. The element of surprise. Counter punches are unexpected. While attacking, opponents often leave openings in their defense and are focused on offense, making them vulnerable. A well-placed counter punch strikes these vulnerabilities, increasing its effectiveness.

2. The Psychological Shock that can get into the opponent’s spirit: Counter punches also "feel" more powerful because they interrupt your opponent's rhythm. The psychological impact of being hit while attacking can magnify the perceived power of the punch.

So, the combination of physics, precision, guts, and exploiting openings makes a counter punch twice as powerful as a regular punch. But of course, mastering it requires timing, awareness, and the ability to read your opponent.

When is the Best Time to Counter a Strike?

The best time to counter a strike is when your opponent is fully committed to their attack. This is the moment when their focus is on offense, their balance is shifting, and their defense is most vulnerable.

Key tips:

1. Read the Setup: Before an opponent throws a strike, look for cues like weight shifting, shoulder movement, or a tightening of their stance. These telegraph their intent and give you a split second to prepare.

2. During the Execution: The optimal time to counter is mid-strike when their momentum is coming toward you. For example, as a jab extends, slip to the outside and land a cross. Their forward motion amplifies the impact of your punch.

3. After the Strike Misses: If you evade or block a strike, counter immediately while your opponent is recovering. A missed hook or kick leaves a window before they reset their guard.

How to master counters

Skill Building and Psychological Preparation for Countering

👉 Patience:

Countering is an art of waiting for the right moment. If you’re too eager to strike, you’ll miss openings or leave yourself vulnerable.

One thing you can do is to slow your sparring sessions. Make them more technical, in order to focus on observing your opponent's habits and timing.

You can progressively build up speed. Patience sharpens your ability to read movements without rushing.

👉 Sharpen Awareness and Presence:

Great counter fighters are fully present, observing subtle cues like shifts in weight, changes in rhythm, or telegraphed movements.

Practice "reaction sparring," where your partner throws random, light attacks, and you respond only to what you see, not anticipate.

(Almost) Every movement bears a message. Stay still to read it.

👉 Emotional Control:

A calm mind reacts faster than a stressed one. Anger or fear tightens your body, slows your reactions, and clouds your judgment.

Train to counter under pressure. Also, use breathing techniques like a slow inhale for 4 counts, holding for 4 counts, and exhaling for 6 counts during training or sparring.

Incorporate supplementary visualization before or after training: Visualize yourself staying composed when countering under attack.

Above all, accept that being hit is part of the process. Emotional detachment from fear of failure makes your counters more precise and effective.

👉 Trust your Training:

Countering demands confidence in your reflexes, timing, and technique.

I’ve trained for this moment. My body knows what to do.

Drills like pad work and controlled sparring should simulate realistic attacks to build trust in your abilities.

For example:

1. Partner up for light sparring with an emphasis on countering.

2. Assign one partner as the "attacker" and the other as the "counter striker."

• The attacker throws single, deliberate strikes (e.g., jab, hook, or low kick).

• The counter striker focuses solely on defending and countering.

• Example: If a jab comes, slip and return with a cross. For a low kick, check and counter with a kick of your own.

3. After a few rounds, switch roles so both partners practice attacking and countering.

4. Keep it light and controlled to focus on precision and timing.
   Duration: 4 rounds of 2-3 minutes, alternating roles each round.

You can also practice counter as you Shadow Box. However, practicing with another person is the best way.

Psychological Counters Beyond Martial Arts

Now, to conclude, I will share with you a personal psychological counter experience as well.

Unlike combat sports which are mainly based on the earth element and the laws of the physical world, on a psychological level counter is a bit more subtle, and symbolically I would say it is like air.

A while ago, while we were hiking, I met a person who was fond of esoteric knowledge but was arrogant. A mutual friend of ours who was a yoga teacher introduced me to him.

He asked me a provocative question about why I had left an activity I had participated a while ago. At first, I didn’t think it was a provocative question. Sometimes, naïveté strikes me for a brief moment.

I answered him honestly, making a misjudgment that I make from time to time, which is thinking others will be as polite as I usually am.

But, after hearing my answer, he revealed his true intentions, and replied with an arrogant answer of the type, claiming I was a person without will by leaving that activity.

Of course, this was just his interpretation. In reality, I had left for matters of principle from that activity. But I wasn’t trying to qualify myself to him, so I didn’t bother with further explanations.

Initially, I laughed off his arrogance, recognizing the folly of my naivety in that fleeting moment. However, on the other hand, my “challenge mode” was activated, and “friendly guy” mode went on standby. 😆

So, I decided to teach this guy a lesson. At that moment I just smiled, and I did not answer him, because I did not want to fall prey to provocation from him.

As Sun Tzu said:

“Choose the place and time of the battle yourself.”

After about an hour, I let him believe he had won and silenced me. With his boosted confidence and arrogance, he started giving lectures to everyone around us, pretending to be the guru that he delusionally believed he was.

My intuition sensed he would make a mistake, and so he did. It wasn’t long before he made a glaring error, discussing telepathy in a manner that contradicted both scientific understanding and esoteric literature.

Seizing the moment, I calmly intervened, presenting irrefutable arguments grounded in common sense and scientific facts. This counter not only exposed the flaws in his reasoning but also targeted his psychological vulnerability, the desire to be regarded as a wise person by others.

This unbalanced him and made him nervous. After noticing that, I deliverd the remaining “KO” arguments about his claims and that was it.

As you can imagine, after that he started to act more humble and spoke with more respect towards me. Some people can’t understand with the easy and kind way.

Why Did This Psychological Counter Work?

The effectiveness of this psychological counter lies in its strategic use of the opponent’s own strengths against them. In martial arts, a well-timed counter punch uses the aggressor’s momentum to amplify its force.

Similarly, by recognizing his need for validation and using his overconfidence as a leverage point, I was able to deflate his arrogance and assert my own position with calm authority.

To wrap it up

Of course, different fighting styles match different personalities. Some, like my opponent's aggressive brawler style, tend to not rely on countering. However, if you ask me, being good at counters is essential, not just an extra skill in your arsenal. A complete warrior strengthens their natural tendencies but also works on improving skills that don't come naturally, aiming to be as well-rounded as possible.

For example, if you like to attack and keep your opponent under pressure, that's great. Refine that style but also work on developing other techniques, like counterattacking. The goal is to be holistic and well-rounded rather than specialized in just one area.

That's it for this week's article, dear reader. If you've had similar experiences in combat or psychological battles, please share them in the comments. I'm curious to hear about them. 😊

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🔻📕Additional Resources:

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📕➡️100 thoughts for the Inner Warrior

Whether you're seeking personal growth, to fortify your inner strength and mental resilience, or simply a deeper understanding of the warrior ethos, "100 Thoughts for the Inner Warrior" is a valuable resource that can guide you on your journey.

📕➡️The Secrets of Willpower

This is my latest book, and it’s packed with proven psychological techniques to help you access your mind’s hidden reserves and build the willpower, tenacity and discipline needed to face any challenge. From strategies to quiet the inner voice of self-doubt to exercises that master the art of delayed gratification, each chapter guides you on a path toward mental, physical and emotional mastery.

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