Using Prime??

[Jay83]

I'm a foilest and I recently learned prime, but it seems kind of awkward. What would be a good situation to use prime? How often do you guys use it?

[mrbiggs]

I use it far too often. It's my signature move.

I use it against people who fleche to 4 in foil and epee. It's a strong parry, so they can't force their way through it, and it sets me up for a riposte, even if they're very close to me.

I also use it against lefties who aren't too good. Basically, I run forward with my blade in the prime position which, in theory, presses their blade against their chest so they can't counterattack, but lets me hit them when I'm close. Again, foil or epee. (more foil.)

I also use the riposte of a parry 1 at the end of an opposition against someone who lunges too far, leaving their flank exposed. It's very fast, and difficult to parry if their arm is already extended. (foil)

And then, of course, I use the position during infighting.

[VERITAS]

I trry to use it occasionally, and it works against beginners. I am not good enough to use it against anyone with point control and distance.
I have seen it done. It works really well IF you learn it right, and practice it.

I think the way my instructor explained it to me was that Prime is to be used as a Transition, since a direct riposte is nearly impossible from that odd position.
(I have managed a really goofy straight riposte from prime to the foot in epee. )
From prime, you transport to tierce, second, or even quinte, and then glide.
Something of a sabre prime might be useful against a flick...
It is best used with the Italian School, in my opinion.

-charley

[voi3ad]

You can use Prime from Quinte in Saber, to stop the opponent from coming off your Quinte, and attacking your left cheek or the left side of your body. It also sets you up nicely to attack their right cheek, or the right side of their body.

There's an image here: http://www.swordsandfists.com/saber.html

Originally Posted by Jay83

I'm a foilest and I recently learned prime, but it seems kind of awkward. What would be a good situation to use prime? How often do you guys use it?

[Alain]

Originally Posted by Jay83

I'm a foilest and I recently learned prime, but it seems kind of awkward. What would be a good situation to use prime? How often do you guys use it?

I love using prime, it just looks so damn good! I use it a lot in close quarters, most often as a successive parry after being flêched at. Normall I go for circular sixte, and then with a deft movement of the wrist bind their blade into prime.

If the attack comes in very deep/fast, then sometimes you may need to rotate your hips a little; this will give a little more time and distance and make it easy hit with the riposte.

Try not to use it too often, though, more as a last-minute parry. If you take it too early then your opponent will disengage/remise/redouble and you'll find yourself up a certain creek without a paddle

[ZenEpeeist]

Originally Posted by Jay83

I'm a foilest and I recently learned prime, but it seems kind of awkward. What would be a good situation to use prime? How often do you guys use it?

I use prime only as a ceding parry. After the opponent takes you in sixth, flip your hand into prime as they come forward in sixth. The left side your wrist facing your forehead. You can coupe to the body or leg out of this position (but they can block you with the bell). Be careful of your distance; if you are too far away then you will be hit.

[keith]

Originally Posted by Jay83

I'm a foilest and I recently learned prime, but it seems kind of awkward. What would be a good situation to use prime? How often do you guys use it?

well it looks good - but thats about the only reason to use it.

It starts looking really stupid when you take a big prime and get repeatedly hit in the middle of the chest off the disengage. So if you don't like it don't waste your time on it.

[JackSparrow]

Prime is usually the first pronated parry that a foilist will learn. By pronated, we refer to delivering the parry with the position of the hand, palm turned down. The main advantages of prime are in gaining an element of suprise. Another advantage (as MrBiggs rightly says), is that they are strong parries and therefore can be used against strong thrusts. As the wrist is involved, these parries collect the blade firmly and therefore eliminate the chance of a remise or an accidental push through. And finally, they give an unusual line for the riposte.

Coaches often suggest that you use Prime with a step forward and to the right, almost as a counter-attack rather than a parry. Since you step into the attackers distance at the same time as you take the blade, this places much more importance on the timming and makes the parry much more risky, but also makes it an opportunity to seize the advantage on an all out attacker.

The other disadvantages of Prime are that it is slower than the first four 'supinated', parries you will have learned. Also, you will find that an indirect riposte with Prime is near impossible. Therefore, I suggest you use it in moderation in order to mix up your defence and keep your opponent guessing.

[jBirch]

It's also useful as a replacement for 4 against opponents who habitually like to disengage through the low line. It's also somewhat handy for "clearing" the low line when you get an intermediate fencer who likes to "one-two-three" feint again and again. It's also somewhat useful as a flick to belly when the distance gets close and your opponent likes to attack with a flick to chest.