[CFML] Significance of Parry-Riposte?

[pkirchner_45]

From what I have read, I understand that the lunge only came
into its own with the introduction of the rapier. Similarly, the true
parry-riposte, performed in double time, was not feasible before
the introduction of the smallsword.

The question I wish to address to the group is whether the
parry-riposte can be considered as significant an advance in the
development of swordplay as the lunge. In my limited experience
in sport fencing, I must have been scored against 20 times with
a riposte for every one time with a lunge. I don't know whether
this was a function of my own lack of skill or the effectiveness of
the technique.

Thanks,
Paul Kirchner


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[Kim Moser]

At 05:38 AM 11/27/2003 +0000, "pkirchner_45" <pkirchner_45@yahoo.com> wrote:
>The question I wish to address to the group is whether the
>parry-riposte can be considered as significant an advance in the
>development of swordplay as the lunge.

The riposte has been around since the beginning of time, and is part of the
basis of all swordplay. I think a more interesting question would be, how
did the introduction of such concepts as single time, double time and half
time affect the development of fencing?

>In my limited experience in sport fencing, I must have been scored against
>20 times with a riposte for every one time with a lunge. I don't know
>whether this was a function of my own lack of skill or the effectiveness
>of the technique.

Comparing an attack to a riposte is like comparing apples and oranges. The
effectiveness of either depends entirely on the circumstances under which
it is executed (including the skill of the swordsman). To judge by your
experience is to confuse theory with your (limited) practice. In theory,
all other things being equal, an attack is just as likely to succeed as a
riposte. If you find that a riposte works better against you than a lunge,
then most likely your offense is weaker than your defense.

--K


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[gojujay]

Isn't a riposte simply an attack AFTER a defensive action? Your blade will (hopefully) be in a better position to make a successful attack after a correctly done parry.