counterlunge

A counterlunge is a fencing term referring to a riposte or attack made by the defender immediately after successfully parrying an opponent's attack. It is a fundamental offensive action in fencing, designed to capitalize on the momentary opening created by the parry. The effectiveness of a counterlunge relies on speed, precision, and the ability to anticipate the opponent's next move.

There are various types of counterlunges, categorized by the parry used and the direction of the riposte. For example, a "quarte counterlunge" might follow a parry 4, where the blade is defended on the opponent's sword arm side. The timing of the counterlunge is crucial; it should be executed as soon as the opponent's attack has been deflected and before they can recover their guard or launch a new offensive. A successful counterlunge can end the fencing action by scoring a touch.

Mastering the counterlunge requires significant practice and understanding of fencing mechanics. Fencers must develop strong defensive skills to execute effective parries, followed by rapid and accurate offensive actions. The counterlunge is not merely a reactive move; it often involves strategic thinking to deceive the opponent and exploit their perceived advantage.