Navigation
Grip
Hand Position
Footwork
Extension/Lunge
Basic Concepts of the Phrase
Right of Way
The Attack
The Advance-Lunge
Parry/Riposte
Remise/Reprise/Redoublement
Preparation
Offense
Simple Attacks
Straight Thrust
Disengagement
Glide
Coupe
Secondary Simple Attacks
Beat
Beat-disengage
Change Beat
Graze
Expulsion
Using Pressure
Basic Defense
The Simple Parry
The Riposte
Ceding Parries
Complex Defense
Circular Parry
Counter Attacks
Arrest/Stop Thrust
Disengagement in Time
Inquartata
Passata Sota
When You Can't Score The First Time...
Feints
Feint Direct
Feint-disengage
Feint by Glide
Ripostes with Feints
Counter Disengagement
Feint in Time
Moves
Balestra
Appel
Fleche
Probing Actions
Concepts
Tempo
Countertime
The Simple Parry - The basic movement of a parry is: a
deflection of your opponent’s blade with yours by contacting his/her
weak on your strong. To execute properly, a number of steps must be
accomplished in order:
1. On your opponents initial extension, retreat.
2. As your opponent lunges, take a second, smaller retreat and parry
in the proper line.
3. If you opponent is executing an advance-lunge, take a third
retreat before parrying to compensate for the extra footwork.
4. Riposte as your opponent is recovering from his lunge.
The parry involves blade movement of no more than a few inches, and
the right to a riposte is (for you concern--the FIE has something
different to say on the subject) granted within a measure of fencing
time after a parry is made. To accomplish parries in the high
lines, simply angle the wrist to shift the blade to the right or the
left. To accomplish low-line parries, drop the point straight down,
so it is about an inch or two below the point at which it meets the
guard, and shift to the right or left.
Parries 1 (low inside), 2 (low outside), 3 (high outside), 4 (high
inside), in a convenient thumbnail size. Be
forewarned, pictures are quite large.
The Riposte - A riposte with detachment is the primary and most preferred riposte in foil, as it can be directed to any line, fairly easily. Ripostes with engagement function just like a glide, and are useful against fencers who are hesitant to be without blade contact. As with all ripostes, minimize excess movement, and lunge straight toward the target, but only as long or as far as you need to.
Riposte, both with engagement (top left) and with detachment (top
right)
A riposte scoring in actual competition. The first riposte out
of parry 3 missed, but the second coming out of parry 4 nets a touch
for the good looking fencer on the right.
Ceding Parries - Ceding parries are useful moves against the glide attack. As a glide is initiated, retreat until the proper engagement (strong on weak) of blades is obtained. At this point, a riposte with engagement should follow.
Complex Defense -
Circular Parries - Circular parries are parries that happen on the opposite line your blade was positioned in at the start. As your opponent lunges, make a small circle to the other side of the blade, and, once there, proceed to parry. DO NOT spin around your opponent’s blade, picking it up with you and guiding it to target area. Nor should you overrotate and miss the parry altogether. It is two separate movements done fluidly. Think of it as such.
Counter-attacks:
Arrest/Strop Thrust - Used against multiple feint attacks or delayed coupes, a stop thrust is simply an extension plus a half lunge that starts before the initiation of the opponents final maneuver (and hence his/her attack). It is critical that the move be completed before the opponent has gained right of way. If in doubt, do not use it.
Disengagement in Time - Used against all varieties of beat attacks, the disengagement in time is a move that evades the opponent’s blade as it is trying to beat. One can follow this up using any simple or complex attack.
Inquartata - Following the
initiation of an attack by the opponent, the blade is extended to
the inside high line, and the back foot is moved approximately 45
degrees to the right (if right handed) or left (if left handed) of
the attack. In theory, the opponent’s blade should be passé, and
yours should net a touch. Under no circumstances should you ever
turn your back to an opponent, so watch that you don’t over rotate
your torso.
Passata Sota - Like the
inquartata, this is a body evasion, but to the low line, usually to the
flank. As the opponent attacks, extend straight ahead, and, while
doing so, essentially lunge backward with your left leg, letting
your non fencing hand touch the floor and bending over so that your
opponent’s blade is left idle in the air above you. Keep your head
up though, as covering target area with the bib is a penalty.
