STRIKING DEFENSE SERIES

Table Of Contents Quick Links

Overview

The Defense Series complements the 10 Count Striking System, equipping practitioners with a structured set of defensive techniques for combative arts and self-defense training. Designed to counter various attacks, the series ensures seamless integration with the 10 Count, allowing fluid transitions between defense and offense.

It includes five key defensive series—Block, Parry, Body, Stop, and Flare—each tailored to specific threats, from haymakers to weapon draws. Ideal for self-defense practitioners and martial artists, this system enhances reaction speed and adaptability through clear, numbered commands, making it perfect for pad work, partner drills, and real-world scenarios.

Block Series (Haymakers and Wide Looping Shots)

• Purpose: Counters big, wide looping strikes like hooks and haymakers aimed at the head.
• Technique: Block (Outside Defense) with one arm and respond with the free arm, using strike combinations 6 (cross, hook, cross) or 7 (hook, cross, hook) from the 10 Count.
• Key Point: The blocking arm elbow must be outside 90º (obtuse angle) and the fingers splayed open to enhance blocking force.  Rather than a submissive block, think of attacking with your block with intensity and aggression.

Parry Series (Straight-Line Attacks)

• Purpose: Redirects straight-line attacks to prevent attachments, neutralize their force and create openings for effective counterstrikes.
• Technique: Use the forearm to chop toward your centerline (Inside Defense) while moving offline, then counter with strike combinations 6 (cross, hook, cross) or 7 (hook, cross, hook) depending on the side of the defense.
• Key Point: Aim to defend on the outside of the attacker’s arm (dead side) to guide their arm across their body, maximizing their restriction and creating optimal angles for counterattacks or evasion.

Body Series (Body Hooks)

• Purpose: Counters hooking strikes aimed at the body, protecting vital areas.
• Technique: Block by touching the elbow to the hip or pelvis, creating a shield, then respond with strikes 8 (uppercut, hook, cross) or 9 (uppercut, cross, hook).
• Key Point: Keep the hand high to protect the head while blocking to avoid vulnerability to follow-up strikes.

Stop Series (Takedown Defense)

• Purpose: Prevents takedown attempts by halting the attacker’s forward momentum.
• Technique: Use a forearm to create a cross-body frame, then counter with strikes 6 or 7, or close-range elbow strikes if the attacker is near.
• Key Point: The cross-body frame, akin to a seatbelt pattern, keeps the attacker’s head at a distance, setting up effective counters.

Flare Series (Weapon Draw Defense)

• Purpose: Responds to an elbow flare indicating a potential weapon draw.
• Technique: Underhook the attacker’s arm, apply a cross-body frame, drive forward, and pivot offline to deliver knee strikes in a clinch position.
• Key Point: Stepping offline and pivoting exploits the attacker’s momentum, creating opportunities for knee strikes or takedowns.

Block Series

Block Series

The Block Series counters big, wide looping strikes like haymakers aimed at the head, integrating seamlessly with the 10 Count Striking System. This technique allows practitioners to neutralize powerful, arcing punches while setting up effective counterattacks using specific 10 Count combinations.

Essential Details

• Purpose: Defends against wide looping strikes targeting the head.
• Technique: Block (Outside Defense) with one arm and respond with the free arm, using strike combinations 6 (cross, hook, cross) or 7 (hook, cross, hook) from the 10 Count.
• Key Point: The blocking arm elbow must be outside 90º (obtuse angle) and the fingers splayed open to enhance blocking force.  Use your blocking arm in an aggressive hacking motion to attack the incoming strike to your head.

Common Mistakes

• Block Placement: Misplacing the block at the opponent’s elbow, allowing the looping strike to bypass the arm and land.
• Delayed Response: Hesitating after blocking, missing the counterattack window.
• Weak Block: Failing to fully engage the blocking arm (elbow outside 90º and fingers splayed), allowing the strike to penetrate.

Mindset & Principles

Visualize the block as a weapon that smashes into the attacker’s arm, instantly followed by an aggressive counterattack.  Focus on precision in blocking and speed in delivering the counter, using the 10 Count striking system to exploit the attacker’s exposed position. Practice with intent to make the block-counter sequence instinctive.

Parry Series

Parry Series

The Parry Series redirects straight-line attacks, such as pushes, punches and grabs using an inside defense to set up powerful counters from the 10 Count Striking System. This technique emphasizes offline movement to prevent attachments and strikes while maintaining a strong stance for immediate retaliation.

Essential Details

• Purpose: Redirects straight-line attacks to prevent attachments, neutralize their force, and create openings for effective counterstrikes.
• Technique: Use the forearm to chop toward your centerline (Inside Defense) while stepping offline, then counter with strike combinations 6 (Cross-Hook-Cross) or 7 (Hook-Cross-Hook), depending on the side of the defense.
• Key Point: Aim to defend on the outside of the attacker’s arm (dead side) to guide their arm across their body, maximizing their restriction and creating optimal angles for counterattacks or evasion.

Common Mistakes

• Overcommitting: Moving too far offline, disrupting balance and counter setup.
• Lowering The Guard: Directing your hand downward during a parry, leaving your head vulnerable to follow-up strikes.
• Static Positioning: Failing to move offline using the bullfighter method, especially against a stronger opponent, reducing the ability to redirect attacks and counter effectively.

Mindset & Principles

Adopt a matador-like mindset, using the bullfighter method to redirect the attacker’s energy while moving offline to evade their power and set up powerful counterattacks. Execute the parry as a sharp, forceful forearm chop that inflicts pain and signals the aggressor’s error in attacking you.  Remember to keep your hands high and use the forearm to block, not the palm or hand, as this will expose your head to follow up strikes.  After moving offline ensure you do so with a balanced stance primed for quick and efficient counter attacks.

Body Series

Body Series

The Body Series protects against hooking strikes aimed at the body, using a shield-like block to set up uppercut-based 10 Count counters. This technique ensures vital areas are safeguarded while positioning the practitioner for a powerful response.

Essential Details

• Purpose: Neutralizes hooking strikes aimed at the body by creating a defensive barrier and enabling swift counterattacks
• Technique: Block by pressing the elbow to the hip or pelvis to form a protective shield, then counter with strike combination 8 (Uppercut-Hook-Cross) or 9 (Uppercut-Cross-Hook) based on the blocking side.
• Key Point: Initiate the counter attack striking combination with the blocking arm, using the body block mechanics to load a powerful uppercut from the same side as the block.

Common Mistakes

• Lowering The Guard: Dropping the hand during the block, leaving the head vulnerable to redirected strikes from the body to the head.
• Misplaced Elbow: Failing to anchor the elbow to the hip or pelvis, compromising the block’s protective shield.
• Delayed Counter: Hesitating on the uppercut, reducing its impact and missing the attacker’s open chin.

Mindset & Principles

Picture the body block as a solid wall protecting your core—floating ribs, solar plexus, and liver—while the uppercut counter sharply lifts the attacker’s chin, setting them up for a devastating hook or cross. Keep your guard tight to shield your head and transition quickly to unleash counter strikes from the 10 Count Striking System.

Stop Series

Stop Series

The Stop Series prevents attachments and takedown attempts by halting the attacker’s momentum with a cross-body frame, followed by 10 Count counters or elbows.  This defense series is crucial for stopping takedowns, tackles, grabs and bearhugs.

Essential Details

• Purpose: Stops takedowns, attachments and body locks by hacking with the forearm and halting forward momentum.
• Technique: Use a forearm to create a cross-body frame, while stepping offline, then counter with strike combinations 6 (Cross-Hook-Cross) or 7 (Hook-Cross-Hook), depending on the side of the defense.
• Key Point: The cross-body frame, akin to a seatbelt pattern, can provide a hard hit and also keeps the attacker’s head at a distance, to prevent takedowns and setting up effective counters.

Common Mistakes

• Distance Management: Failing to control the distance and allowing the attacker to secure a grip around the body.
• Static Positioning: Failing to move offline using the bullfighter method, especially against a stronger opponent, reducing the ability to redirect attacks and counter effectively.
• Weak Block: Failing to fully engage the blocking arm (elbow outside 90º and fingers splayed), allowing the strike to penetrate.

Mindset & Principles

Visualize the cross-body frame as a forceful wedge that slams into the attacker’s advance, stopping their momentum and preventing attachments. Focus on aggressive execution, using the forearm like a blade to disrupt their balance, while also keeping your hips back to avoid body lock grips.  Transition swiftly to counter attacks with the 10 Count’s strike combinations or elbows.  Maintain a balanced stance and move offline with the bullfighter method to control the gap, ensuring you’re always ready to exploit the attacker’s exposed position.

Flare Series

Flare Series

The Flare Series addresses an elbow flare from an aggressor within and arms reach, indicating a potential weapon draw, using an underhook and cross body frame to clinch to deliver knee strikes. This technique leverages the attacker’s momentum for effective counters or takedowns, critical for high-risk scenarios.

Essential Details

• Purpose: Responds to an elbow flare suggesting a weapon draw.
• Technique: Underhook the attacker’s arm, apply a cross-body frame, drive forward, and pivot offline to deliver knee strikes in a clinch position. Post the head on your exit and be ready to follow up with a powerful straight.
• Key Point: Driving into the attacker to achieve a response, stepping offline and pivoting exploits the attacker’s momentum, creating opportunities for knee strikes or takedowns.

Common Mistakes

• Improper Stance: Failing to have the appropriate stance, reducing knee strike effectiveness.
• Weak Underhook: Not securing the underhook, allowing the attacker to draw the weapon.
• Force-on-Force: Resisting the attacker’s push directly instead of redirecting their energy.

Mindset & Principles

Approach the Flare Series as a decisive counter to a high-risk weapon threat, transforming the attacker’s aggressive momentum into their vulnerability. Execute the underhook with relentless grip strength to neutralize their arm, and apply the cross-body frame as a forceful barrier to dominate the clinch. Drive forward and pivot offline with precision, unleashing aggressive knee strikes to disrupt their balance and intent. Maintain situational awareness to control the engagement distance and rapid adaptability to transition to follow-up strikes or takedowns, training with intensity to make the sequence instinctive in critical moments.

DEFENSE SERIES TIPS

1 > Combative Defense Mindset

For defensive techniques, consider the following:

• What Am I Defending Against?
• How Am I Positioning My Body?
• How Do I Transition to Offense?

When practicing, identify the threat (e.g., haymaker, takedown, or weapon draw), position your body to neutralize it (e.g., cross-body frame, offline movement), and transition to offense using the appropriate 10 Count strikes. Visualize each defense as a seamless bridge to your counterattack, building instinctive responses. Focus on precision and timing, practicing consistently to make movements second nature, as taught at Triangle Self-Defense Training.

2 > Core Principles

The Defense Series is built on:

• Precision Over Force: Accurate defensive positioning sets up effective counters.
• Lego Block Method: Build defenses incrementally, pairing with 10 Count strikes.
• Economy of Motion: Minimize unnecessary movements for efficiency.
• Variable Engagement: Adapt defenses to different attack angles and types.
• Systematic Numbering: Use clear commands (e.g., “one block”) for rapid learning.
• Practical Application: Designed for real-world self-defense scenarios.

3 > Street Considerations

For real-world use:

• Adapt to Distance: Use elbows in close quarters for Stop Series counters.
• Offline Movement: Step offline in Flare Series to exploit attacker momentum.
• Target Awareness: Counter with 10 Count strikes aimed at vulnerable areas (e.g., chin).
• Maintain Guard: Keep the non-defending hand up to protect the face.
• Realistic Training: Practice defenses at realistic distances and speeds.
• Defensive Variations: Combine with palm strikes or elbows for versatility.

4 > Reflex Drills & Development

Build reflexes with these drills:

• Pad Work with Command Calls: Respond to commands like “one block” or “two parry” on focus pads.
• Mirror Drills: Self-correct defensive form in a mirror, focusing on alignment.
• Distance Drills: Practice defenses at varying distances to simulate real threats.
• Shadow Defense: Practice defensive sequences with 10 Count counters.
• Reaction Training: Counter simulated attacks (e.g., haymakers, takedowns) with appropriate defenses.

Train With Us

Self-defense training is for everyone. The Defense Series, paired with the 10 Count Striking System at Triangle Self-Defense Training in Durham, NC, welcomes beginners to experienced martial artists. This program builds practical, real-world defensive skills while enhancing coordination, confidence, and situational awareness. Beyond self-defense, it’s a dynamic way to improve fitness and mental resilience. By joining our classes, you’ll train alongside a supportive community, amplifying your strength and potential.

Start your journey today to master effective defensive techniques, boost your fitness, and connect with a dedicated team committed to personal growth.