This week we are going to focus on working on Parry Riposte. The drill is a reaction drill with a goal of making sure that a fencer has good timing on their parry but can also make a change of decision if it is needed.
It is strongly recommended that you work this drill against fencers of varying skill levels as it is a 50/50 drill. Both sides will improve the action they are working on when drilling this action.
Parry Riposte Drill
Fencer A – Makes straight attack with lunge or compound attack with lunge.
Fencer B – Option 1: If attack is straight then Fencer B makes parry riposte with no movement as they should have started in the ideal distance.
Option 2: If the attack is compounded the action will flow like this: Fencer A makes 1st part of compound attack; Fencer B makes parry; Fencer A goes around parry; Fencer B steps back while at the same time making another parry.
Option 3: If the attack is compounded before Fencer B makes their 1st parry the blade will be going into a closed line. Fencer B at that point will let the blade go into the closed line and make a riposte.
My recommendation to everyone is do this drill for 5-10 minutes with as many people as you can while you are at the club. If you practice for 5 minutes with 6 people it’s like getting an extra 30 minute private lesson!