Getting All Defensive

There are definite situations when as a fencer you want to execute a beautifully timed parry riposte. Let's consider some...
First, when you are being attacked. "Like Duhhh Dave" I hear you cry. Well indeed that is an obvious comment to make but it's amazing how many people don't parry attacks and instead either try and step back or in fact counter attack into them. I suppose it's a primal instinct to try and avoid an attack or hit back hard but in foil fencing it is counter-productive. In foil fencing you need to remain still while defending in order to make sure your distance is correct for the riposte. You must let the attack come to you and not try to avoid it. This does seem counter-intuitive at first but it is vital for defensive success. It's also vital that you remain in control of your balance and foil point otherwise you are also destined to fail.
The second is when your riposte is defeated and returned to you. Never assume that a hit will succeed and always be ready to back it up with a successive move, such as a second counter riposte.
The third is when you want to be attacked. In other words you use body language to induce your opponent to attack you and therefore score with your parry riposte. This is harder than it looks and means you must be able to get close enough to make your opponent want to attack you and still give yourself enough time to parry it.
The fourth is when you are tired. If you are feeling fatigued try switching to a defensive mode. I tend to widen my feeet and extend my hand as far as possible, making more of a barrier for the opponent to break down.
Finally, go defensive if you are well ahead in a fight, say 13-4 up. Your opponent has to make the running, the clock is against them and you can conserve energy!
So these are a few things to think about. Remember a good defense is half your game plan!