Simple Defense Exercises

Simple Defense Exercises – Parry/Riposte Drills

1. Distance Control Exercise #1 (No Parries Allowed!)
   
   
   
   1. L – Varies the length of attack (intentionally fall short)
      P – No retreat (get used to the idea of not flinching)
      
   2. 
      L – Varies the length of attacks (some may reach target)
      P – Retreat if the attack would hit. (Keep the distance as tight as possible, one inch away from the attacker’s point.)
   
   
2. Distance Control Exercise #2 (No Parries Allowed!)
   
   
   
   1. L – Make false attack
      P – no retreat
      
      
   2. L – Make real attack
      P – Retreat, keeping distance tight – point one inch away from target.
   
   
3. Point-in-line from Lunge
   
   
   
   1. P – Lunge, leave point-in-line
      L – Attack on to the point (one-tempo after lunge)
      P – Remain in lunge and in line, allow L to impale self.
      
      
   2. P – Lunge, leave point-in-line
      L – Begin attack, attempting to take the blade (lateral parry)
      P – Derobement (deceive), remain in lunge and in line.
   
   
4. Parry – Attack on Preparation Choice Exercise
   
   
   
   1. L – Simple attack
      P – Parry (no riposte)
      
      
   2. L – invite w/advance
      P – attack on preparation (no lunge – use advance w/extend)
   
   
5. Beat and Opposition Parry Exercise
   L – Straight attack
   P – Early beat parry w/direct ripost, then retreat
   L – Continue attack (advance, long lunge, etc.)
   P – Lateral opposition parry and opposition riposte
   
6. Intercepting Parry – Riposte w/advance
   L – Straight attack
   P – Parry seconde w/opposition riposte by interception (while advancing)
   
7. Decision for parry with retreat
   
   
   
   1. L – Straight attack
      P – Parry (no retreat) and riposte
      
      
   2. L – Very strong straight attack
      P – Parry w/retreat and riposte
      
      
   3. L – Feint straight attack as lunge begins P – Attempt parry (no retreat) L – deceive with lunge P – Parry with retreat and riposte
   
   
8. Offensive second intention exercise
   P – Straight attack – false (intentionally fall short)
   L – Parry and riposte
   P – Parry and counterriposte (remain in lunge)