Rush Counter Idea- pulling the goalie

[Arzachel]

This is going to sound really hokey, but It's worked most of the time I've tried it.
THe name comes from the only sports analogy I can think of that works for it.

1) Develop strong econ. If you're not playing nats, alterate mining posts and walls with iron export/bank
2) Build some very strong comps, but don't put resources negative. No more then 1 elite usually. Here's where Blast Furnaces and Mage Colleges come into play. Also, make sure these comps are good at town-taking, preferably paladins/cleric or paladin/mage in inf comps.
3) Save Gold. (You'll see why later)

When the rush comes, ignore it, then attack his backside.

YOu'll take a nasty hurting, possibly go into negative econ, but you'll have the gold saved

You're gold will hold you over, his gold will crumple.

I guess this is the Arena League Strategy, since it's based on wiping out your opponent quicker then he can.

Usually if the rush is Ceyah, taking out one of his villages will hurt him more then him taking out one of yours.

BTW, this can even work against Three_Wood possibly.