parryriposte

Parry-riposte is a fencing term describing a sequence in which a parry, a defensive blade deflection, is immediately followed by a riposte, a counterattack launched as soon as the attack is neutralized. The concept is central to many fencing styles and is used across modern sport disciplines, including foil, épée, and sabre. The exact execution varies by weapon and school, but the core idea remains a seamless transition from defense to offense in the same action.

In execution, the parry redirects the opponent’s blade away from the target and creates a brief opening. The riposte exploits this moment, aiming to strike before the opponent can recover. The success of a parry-riposte depends on timing, distance, line, and blade control. Trainers emphasize maintaining proper tempo and balance so the defender can convert defense into an offensive touch.

Rules influence how parry-riposte works in competition. In foil and sabre, right-of-way rules determine priority, so a riposte is typically legal only if it lands with priority after the parry, and it may be scored in the defender’s favor when appropriate. In épée, there is no right-of-way, and touches can be simultaneous, so a parry-riposte may result in a double touch.

Variations include straight ripostes after a direct parry, as well as compound ripostes that use disengagements, counter-times, or changes of line to bypass an opponent’s guard. Parry-riposte remains a foundational technique in both historical swordsmanship literature and contemporary fencing instruction, valued for turning defense into immediate offense.