kontring

Kontring is a term used in Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish to denote a counterattack or counter-move, particularly in sports, but also in political and strategic contexts. The word is a cognate of similar terms in other European languages and reflects the idea of an immediate retaliatory action taken in response to an opponent’s move. In practice, a kontring aims to exploit the momentary imbalance created by the opponent, often leveraging speed, space, and disciplined transition.

In sports, kontrings are swift transitions from defense to attack. They typically follow a turnover, a retrieved possession, or a defensive block, and rely on quick decision‑making, accurate passing, and forward runs. Football, ice hockey, basketball, handball, and rugby frequently employ kontring tactics. A successful kontring can catch the opposing team out of position and result in a scoring opportunity with minimal buildup.

In broader use, kontring can refer to countermeasures in diplomacy, economics, or military strategy. For example, a country may implement a tariff or sanction in response to a rival’s policy, or a company may adjust pricing or investment in response to competitive pressure. The effectiveness of a kontring depends on timing, preparation, and the ability to sustain pressure after the transition.

See also: counterattack, countermeasure.