Defensive Moves: Parrying, Blocking, and Avoiding Hits

How to stay safe and set up counter-attacks by learning proper defense.

Picture yourself in a fencing duel: you’re face-to-face with your opponent, each of you ready to make the first move. Suddenly, their blade flashes toward you! What do you do?

In fencing, it’s not all about attacking—staying safe is just as important. Mastering defensive moves can protect you from getting hit and even help you turn the tables on your opponent.

A Quick Story: Jade’s First Real Bout

Jade took a deep breath. The coach signaled for the match to begin. Jade’s opponent lunged forward. For a moment, Jade froze—everything seemed to happen in slow motion. But then Jade remembered the coach’s voice: “When you see the attack coming, parry!”

• Step One: Parry

Jade lifted her foil to deflect the oncoming blade, angling it just enough to push the opponent’s weapon off target. A parry doesn’t need big movements; sometimes a small twist is all it takes to protect yourself.

• Step Two: Riposte

After blocking the attack, Jade quickly extended her own arm to strike. This immediate counterattack, called a riposte, caught the opponent by surprise. One successful touch for Jade!

• Step Three: Stay Alert

Even though Jade scored, the bout wasn’t over. The coach always said, “Defense isn’t about one move; it’s about being ready for anything.” Jade stepped back, returning to en garde, eyes focused, waiting for the next attack.

By the end of the match, Jade felt proud—not just for scoring points, but for defending against hits like a pro.

Basic Defensive Moves

1. Parry: A fancy word for blocking an attack with your blade. There are different numbered parries—like “Parry 4” (to protect your chest on one side) or “Parry 6” (to protect the other side)—but they all work the same way: move your blade to redirect the opponent’s.

2. Retreat: Sometimes, the best defense is to move out of range! Quickly step backward (retreat) so your opponent’s blade can’t reach you. Just remember to keep balanced and ready to attack again if you see an opening.

3. Avoidance or “Duck and Dodge”: In some cases, you might shift your body or duck slightly to avoid a high attack. Be careful not to lose your stance—and don’t forget to recover quickly!

Defense Leads to Offense

One of the coolest parts of fencing is that defense and offense go hand in hand. When you successfully parry your opponent’s blade, you create the perfect chance for a riposte (a quick return attack). So, instead of just staying safe, you can turn the tables and score a point!

Practice Makes Perfect

• Drills with a Partner: Have a friend or teammate attack slowly, while you practice parrying or retreating. Gradually speed up as you get more comfortable.

• Shadow Fencing: Stand in front of a mirror and imagine an attack coming at you. Practice each parry motion to develop muscle memory.

• Listen to Your Coach: They’ll show you which parry to use for different attacks, and how to move your feet to avoid hits.

Why Defense is Awesome

Defending in fencing makes you feel in control. You’re not just waiting to be hit—you’re ready to respond with skill and confidence. Plus, a well-timed parry followed by a riposte can be one of the most exciting moments in a match!

Coming Up Next: Now that you know how to defend and strike back, we’ll talk about the rules of good sportsmanship in fencing—because being a respectful opponent is just as important as winning a match!