Introduction to Seated Parry Riposte
This exercise builds upon the foundational parry-riposte game but is performed seated to minimize noise and space requirements. The seated variation maintains technical integrity while accommodating home training environments and shared living spaces.
Extension and Initial Blade Contact
The drill begins with both fencers extending their blades toward each other. Practitioners execute parry four in sequence, creating rhythmic blade contact that establishes the baseline tempo for the exercise.
Disengagement Introduction
Once the basic parry pattern is established, fencers may introduce disengages to disrupt the rhythm. This variation prevents the exercise from becoming purely mechanical and introduces defensive uncertainty.
Alternating Initiative
To ensure equitable practice, fencers alternate who initiates each attack or false. This role rotation develops both offensive and defensive competencies equally throughout the session.
Body Control and Stability
Maintaining proper posture without excessive forward or backward lean is critical when seated. Excessive movement that risks chair instability indicates improper technique rather than intensity of effort.
Reading Opponent Intent
The primary objective of this drill is developing tactical awareness rather than speed or technical perfection. Practitioners must learn to anticipate opponent decisions—whether they will parry or disengage—and respond accordingly with countertactics.
Counter-Strategies: Blade Placement and False Parry
When anticipating a disengage, the defending fencer may leave the blade stationary to catch the opponent's blade or execute a false parry followed by a real parry as the opponent disengages. These tactical layers develop reactive intelligence in footless engagement.
Technique Restrictions
To maintain the game's foundational purpose, circular parries and double disengages are prohibited. These restrictions ensure practitioners develop linear blade control and decision-making rather than relying on advanced evasive mechanics.
Seated Parry Riposte Game | Fencing Tutorial [Home Edition] Foil, Epee, Saber
Key Takeaways
- •Introduction to Seated Parry Riposte
- •Extension and Initial Blade Contact
- •Disengagement Introduction
- •Alternating Initiative
Hi All, This is a classic drill to develop the following skills: 1) Efficient Technique 2) Tactical Decision Making Rules: 1) Start with straight extension, alternating who starts with each time. 2) The opponent can take parry 4, then riposte (direct extension) 3) Both players can perform parry-4 riposte as slow or as fast as they wish, trying to score 4) After 4 blade contacts (parries), disengages are allowed. 5) NO CIRCULAR PARRIES ARE ALLOWED (ex: no circle-4 or circle-6) 6) NO DOUBLE DISENGAGES ARE ALLOWED Options: Participants will quickly realize that to win this game consistently, they will need to do more than simply quickly riposte, or quickly disengage. They must play with the timing of not only their parry, but ripostes, feints, and disengages as well. For example, one can hold their parry. alternatively, they can perform a "second intention" hit by performing a medium speed riposte followed immediately by a quick riposte. Let us know what options you come up with! /////////////////////// Special Thanks /////////////////////// Special thanks to Radical Fencing, Carmimari, and CyrusofChaos for supporting the channel, as well as those who have contributed to our Patreon and Gofundme (links below). With your continued support, we will be able to spend more time on these videos, effectively creating an open-source fencing guide for fencers of all skill levels. We're also working hard to collaborate with these brands to bring you super cool fencing resources, which we'll announce soon :) Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SchenkelBros GoFundMe: gf.me/u/vu3sqb Radical 10% Discount Code: Enter "SCHENKEL10" at checkout or click the link below. https://radicalfencing.com/discount/S... Carmimari Website https://www.carmimari.com/ Cyrus of Chaos: https://www.youtube.com/user/CyrusofC...
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this video teach about parry of septime?
This video covers introduction to seated parry riposte, extension and initial blade contact, disengagement introduction. It provides detailed instruction from S-Class.
How long does it take to learn parry of septime?
The basic mechanics can be understood in a single session, but developing reliable execution requires consistent drilling over weeks of practice. This 8-part breakdown helps structure your training by isolating each phase of the technique.
What are the key details for finishing parry of septime?
When anticipating a disengage, the defending fencer may leave the blade stationary to catch the opponent's blade or execute a false parry followed by a real parry as the opponent disengages. These tactical layers develop reactive intelligence in footless engagement.
