Last updated: 3 October 2026
Reviewed by Jordan Morley, FA Level 2 Football Coach
The parry-riposte is the fundamental defensive-offensive sequence in fencing. A parry deflects the opponent’s incoming blade away from the target; the riposte is the immediate counter-attack that follows. In foil and sabre, a successful parry takes right-of-way, giving the defender priority to score with the riposte. Mastering a range of parries (covering different lines of attack) and fast, accurate ripostes is central to fencing defence. The parry-riposte exchange, set against the constant management of distance, is what makes fencing ‘physical chess’.
- Parry deflects the attack
- Riposte is the immediate counter
- A successful parry takes right-of-way
- Central to fencing defence
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A parry (deflecting an opponent's attacking blade) followed immediately by a riposte (an instant counter-attack) is one of fencing's most fundamental tactical sequences — in foil and sabre, a successful parry also grants the parrying fencer right-of-way, meaning their riposte scores if it lands even in a near-simultaneous exchange, which makes defensive timing just as valuable as attacking speed.
FAQ
What is a riposte in fencing?
An immediate counter-attack launched right after successfully parrying (deflecting) an opponent's attack, exploiting the brief opening created by the opponent's committed, now-deflected attack.
Why is a parry valuable beyond just defense in foil and sabre?
A successful parry grants right-of-way to the defending fencer, meaning their subsequent riposte takes scoring priority even in a near-simultaneous touch, making the parry a genuinely offensive tool as well as defensive.