What combative technique is used to protect your head from strikes while in the ready stance?

The technique used to protect your head from strikes while in the ready stance is comb blocks. Comb blocks are defensive maneuvers that are specifically designed to absorb or deflect incoming strikes aimed at your head and upper body. They allow the defender to maintain a stable stance while effectively protecting vital areas. This technique utilizes both arms in coordination to shield against attacks, thus maximizing the defense without compromising the stance.

In comb blocks, the focus is on using the arms to create barriers against potential strikes, minimizing the risk of injury and ensuring the defender is prepared for counter-attacks. This is particularly important in a combative situation where maintaining structure and balance is crucial for effective defense and offense.

Other techniques listed, while useful in self-defense and combative scenarios, serve different purposes. Counter punches, for example, focus on returning strikes to an opponent rather than purely defense. Defensive parries involve redirecting strikes without necessarily forming a solid barrier like comb blocks. Ground defense pertains to techniques used when on the ground, which is not applicable in this context where the stance is vertical and ready for immediate action.