What is a parry in fencing?

Answer 1

Saber Fencing ParriesThe parry six in saber Fencing is basically a parry five, with your weapon arm on the other side of where your arm would have been if it was a parry five. So if your weapon arm fist was on your right when you do a parry five, it will be on the left in a parry six. The blade still blocks the same target area as the parry five (the head), but exposes your forearm to attack (which is why few people use it).

There is no Parry 8 in Saber Fencing, though.

Answer 2

• Parry 1 (prime) Palm down, Tip down Cross body
• Parry 2 (seconde) Palm down, Tip down Straight out
• Parry 3 (tierce) Palm down, Tip up Straight out
• Parry 4 (quarte) Palm down, Tip up Cross body
• Parry 5 (quinte) Palm down, Tip down Cross body
• Parry 6 (sixte) Palm up, Tip up Straight out
• Parry 7 (septiem) Palm up, Tip down Cross body
• Parry 8 (octave) Palm up, Tip down Straight out

There is also a little-used, ninth parry, circu. In this, the palm faces up, the arm is across the body and raised to about chin height and the blade is horizontal.

Answer 3

A defense from an attack. A defense from an attack.