Counters to Strikes - Marine Corps Martial Arts Technique

This section focuses on tan belt techniques used by the Marine Corps martial arts program. This page examines techniques that are used to counter strikes in the Marine Corps martial arts program. Information from Public Domain Document, MCRP 3-02B, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP).

For more Marine Corps techniques, please visit the main Marine Corps Martial Arts Program section.

Counters to Strikes

The purpose of counters to strikes is to counter the aggressor’s attack and gain the tactical advantage. This section will cover the counter to the rear hand punch and the counter to the rear leg kick.

Counter to Strikes

Regardless of the strike, the counter to a strike requires you to move, block, and strike.

Move

The first step in countering a strike is to move out of the way of the impact of the strike. Movement should both remove you from the point of your aggressor’s strike as well as put you in a position to attack. Movement is always initiated from the basic warrior stance and movement is executed at approximately a 45-degree angle to the front or rear. Following movement, return to the basic warrior stance with the toe of your lead foot pointing toward the aggressor.

Block

Different blocks are executed based on the strike. These will be covered with the individual counters.

Strike

Any of the upper body or lower body strikes or combinations of techniques can be executed as a follow-on attack as part of the counter to an aggressor’s strike. The choice of follow-on strike depends on your angle to the aggressor, the position of the aggressor, and the available vulnerable target areas that the aggressor has exposed.

Return to Previous Page | Continue to Next Page

References

1. Information from Public Domain Document, MCRP 3-02B, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP), http://www.marines.mil/News/Publications/ELECTRONICLIBRARY.aspx, Added - 04/14/15