counterblow

Counterblow refers to a counterattack delivered in response to an opponent's strike or aggression. The term emphasizes timing and exploiting the moment when an attack creates an opening, rather than merely matching force.

In martial arts and combat sports, a counterblow is a technique that begins after a successful defense, such as a parry or block, to redirect the opponent's momentum into a follow-up attack. Success relies on speed, balance, and precise distance management. In boxing, this is commonly called a counterpunch; in fencing, a riposte after a parry; in other disciplines, various forms of counterstrikes.

In military doctrine, a counterblow describes an offensive action designed to respond to an enemy assault, aiming to reclaim initiative, degrade an attacker’s momentum, or exploit overextension. Counterblows can be local (a counterattack at a specific point in the line) or strategic (a broader counteroffensive). The concept is central to defensive doctrines that seek to convert defense into aggression.

In broader discourse, counterblow can be used metaphorically to describe a retaliatory rebuttal in politics, law, or public debate, structured to neutralize an opponent's argument.

See also: counterattack, counterpunch, riposte, parry, counteroffensive, retaliation.