bounced around for so long, pressed every button on my keyboard a few times, got no clue how you're meant to play this

It took me a long time to actually understand how to play but once I got it it was pretty fun. Bouncing around on the balls felt good. My only recomendation would be to maybe give extra points when chaining parrys. Seeing a nuber going up and up with every succesfull parry without touching thee bombs or the ground would be really satisfying. 

You have a pretty nice game here, I hope you keep working on it.