Introduction to Parry Riposte

Parry Riposte, also known as the double pocsow cycle, is a fundamental sensitivity drill in Jeet Kune Do that trains practitioners to penetrate hand barriers and access the neck for control or finishing techniques. This drill is essential for both offensive neck attacks and defensive protection against such attacks.

Strategic Importance of Neck Control

The primary objective of Parry Riposte is to develop the ability to bypass an opponent's hand defenses and establish control of the neck, as controlling the head typically controls the body. Practitioners must simultaneously learn to defend against these same attacks to prevent opponents from gaining control.

Targeting the High Centerline

Unlike HUBUD which addresses outside entries, Parry Riposte specifically targets the distance between shoulder blades and above—the high centerline. This drill employs a two-sided structure where one partner executes attack motions while the other performs defensive counterattacks in opposite directions.

Base Drill Mechanics: Parry and Riposte

When an opponent reaches for the head, the defender moves off-line while simultaneously parrying the attack, then immediately ripostes with a straight shot to the throat. The riposte must travel straight to the front of the throat with a bent arm, maintaining elbow protection and forward pressure while creating a wedge that controls the opponent's positioning.

Timing and Precision Requirements

Timing is critical in Parry Riposte—the parry must occur before the opponent's hand reaches the neck, as any contact grants the attacker a reference point to complete their technique. Both partners must maintain constant movement and awareness, preventing either side from successfully reaching the target.

Positional Awareness During Defense

The defending partner should position their blocking hand near the attacker's elbow to prevent over-the-top entries and maintain control of the attacking limb. Natural body rotation from the parry naturally positions the defender at the attacker's elbow, creating mechanical advantage.

Transitioning Between Sides

Rather than stopping to switch roles, practitioners can transition fluidly by feeding the opposite hand during the parry, forcing the opponent to defend and riposte from the alternate side. This continuous flow can be achieved through subtle hand feeds that initiate role reversals without breaking drill rhythm.

Gun-Tang Method for Inside Transitions

To transition from outside to inside position, practitioners execute a gun-tang (hand control) and allow the hand to bounce back to the centerline, forcing the opponent outside and reestablishing the parry-riposte role. The hand must stay underneath the opponent's arm and point toward the eyes to prevent overhand counters.

Maintaining Rhythm and Control

Practitioners must maintain deliberate rhythm and slight pauses throughout the drill to prevent it from devolving into uncontrolled speed. If the drill accelerates excessively, sensitivity—the core attribute being developed—is lost, and the training objective becomes compromised.

Body Mechanics and Sensitivity Training

Proper footwork and body positioning must remain fluid and accurate; practitioners should never fall one step behind their partner. Sensitivity training requires restraint from explosive movements; real combat applications come later after foundational sensitivity and timing are established through controlled, rhythmic drilling.

JKD Parry Riposte Part 1 of 3 - Jeet Kune Do Sensitivity Drills - John Koeshall.mov

John Koeshall

Riposte

3 min read·10 key moments·PT8M28S video

Key Takeaways

•Introduction to Parry Riposte
•Strategic Importance of Neck Control
•Targeting the High Centerline
•Base Drill Mechanics: Parry and Riposte

The first installment in a 3 part series dedicated to the sensitivity drill known as "Parry/Riposte".

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does this video teach about riposte?

This video covers introduction to parry riposte, strategic importance of neck control, targeting the high centerline. It provides detailed instruction from John Koeshall.

How long does it take to learn riposte?

The basic mechanics can be understood in a single session, but developing reliable execution requires consistent drilling over weeks of practice. This 10-part breakdown helps structure your training by isolating each phase of the technique.