The Importance of Ripostes in Fencing Practice

Ripostes are the counter attacks in a fencing challenge. A strong fencer will be able to riposte after an opponent’s attack to not only win points but to keep their attacker with lower confidence in the risk versus reward of their moves. A riposte occurs when an attacker attempts to strike, is parried, and then is struck by the defender. In the heat of the game this movement can be very quick and there may be multiple parries, counter parries and ripostes. 

Ripostes are generally direct but also may be indirect. A direct riposte is a quick parry and strike to the opponent’s body leaving little time to react. An indirect riposte would mean adding a change of line or adding another movement before striking the opponent. This has benefits in terms of confusing the opponent but also risks being struck as you are engaging in these extra tactics. 

Practice in done in both shadow and live opponent form. In shadow form the student should practice making a parry to the center of the blade and immediately lunging and/or extending the arm for a riposte strike to the area of the center of the chest (or practice target). In live form one opponent will make a slow forward strike and the defender will parry the center of blade and make a strike riposte to the opponent’s chest. 

The practice of direct and indirect parries is beneficial. You may consider a change of line, angled riposte, or any number of distracting tactics. These practices should occur only once the proper direct riposte with appropriate distance has been already mastered. It is important to use the basics as a foundation for building higher levels of movement and options in the game. 

Practic Tips:

-Follow the Blade: The quickest point to target is a few inches from the blade. It also allows for better defense. 

-Don’t leave your arm and head open during a riposte.

-Mix up riposte angles and movements to keep your opponent unsure of your next actions.

-Riposte is about speed.

-Know your potential target area before moving. 

-Continue going over it to embed it in your skills bank.

Advanced Strategy in the Fencing Sport

Fencing strategy includes thinking two to three moves in advance and trying to lead the game. Leading means that you are more in charge of the opponent’s movements due to advanced skill. This is not easy when matched with a comparable opponent who is also trying to lead the game. When both have strategic approaches it can become a game of strike and counterstrike. 

Strategy includes the sequencing of moves for maximum effect to produce a successful strike.  This may include something like a beat, a feint, change of engagement and then strike. To put this in English it would mean to strike the opponents mid section of blade to claim right-of- way, make a small movement forward to draw the opponent’s parry, swinging under the blade to change the line of the attack and then moving for the strike. 

In such a move the opponent will react in one direction but the attack is coming from the other. Such movements must be pulled off with lightning strikes because delay could mean the opponent could adjust and counter parry. This speed and surety can only come through practice and completing the sequence over and over until it is ingrained. 

The more complex moves a person learns the more they can lead the bout. These movements should not be learned until the basics of footwork and swordplay are mastered and automatic. Similar complex movements can be learned in counter attacks and defense. As one progresses in the sport they will find their complex moves create advantages.

Basic Fencing Swordplay Techniques

Fencing is a sport that requires learning finite stimulus detection and reaction skills. Unlike other sports fencing moves at lightning pace. Perhaps the fastest sport around. Once one learns basic footwork they can move into the fundamentals of swordplay. This swordplay is based upon the carriage of the body and how it moves back and forth. 

For example, a lunge requires the movement of both the foot, leg, body, and arm to make a hit. Simple attacks forward can be learned with a little practice. Of course, the sport is not based only on simple moves and experts can get very crafty with their attacks, defending, and movements. Sometimes it only takes a few seconds to defeat your opponent in a bout. 

When one wears all of the gear that includes glove, vest, helmet, shoes, etc. they will naturally built up a great sweat. When bouts last for any length of time both sparring partners can become winded and worn out. Epee is considered one of the more aggressive fencing styles and doesn’t have all of the rules found in foil. Sabre is the freest flowing sport using most of the body as a target. 

Footwork as the Foundation of Fencing

Footwork as the Foundation of Fencing

Basic footwork is one of the most critical and fundamental factors in becoming a strong fencer.  Without the ability to hold your body in the right posture, move forward and backwards, or adjust to your opponents movements your fencing ability is going to be limited. The footwork is a basic building block in the triangle of footwork, sword play, and mental conditioning. 

Footwork: The movement of the body back and forth. Leads to lunges, attacks, and defense. 

Sword play: The ability to move your arm and swords in coordination with your footwork. The more agile your wrists and quick your arms the more likely you can create movements that attack and defend. 

Mental Conditioning: The ability to attack in defend is based on the recognition of movements and having a battery of responses. The time it takes to condition the mind to integrate recognition and reaction will determine the natural skill that leads to pinpointed actions. 

Professional fencers go back and review their footwork on a regular basis as this is the very foundation of their sport.  New fencers hate spending time in this boring occupation of going back and forth but it is necessary to integrate the movements so they are automatic. Some instructors may allow for some swordplay to reduce the boredom. The goal is to integrate all of the actions together to create relaxed, fluid, and well thought out movements.