Parry

The Parry is a sword technique in the The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. It is thought to Link by Orca on Outset Island near the start of the game and is one of the most useful techniques in the game. It is activated by Z-targeting an enemy and pressing the A button just before they attack. There are two versions of this technique; one for evading vertical strikes which results in a sideward role and counter behind the enemy and one for evading horizontal strikes which involves Link over the enemy and striking it on the head. It is useful for removing armor and helmets from Darknuts. Link performs a combination of the two variations when performing the final strike on Ganondorf.

Two Hidden Skills in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess called the Back Slice and Helm Splitter act the same way the variations of the parry but are activated differently.