Parry (fencing)

A parry is a fencing bladework maneuver intended to deflect or block an incoming attack.

This deflects the opponent's blade away from them, protecting them and placing them in a good position to strike back.

In épée, because of absence of priority rules (see right-of-way), a parry can be classed as any deflection of the blade that prevents the opponent's attack from landing.

During a bout, parries are commenced from the "en garde" (neutral) position, when an opponent's attack is considered threatening.

For a right-handed fencer, the inside line is to the left, and the outside line is to the right; thus the parries prime, quarte, and septime deflect the opponent's blade to the left (inside), while the parries seconde, tierce, sixte, and octave deflect the opponent's blade to the right (outside), as shown.

It begins in either the neutral or quarte position, and with a twist of the wrist it ends in the carte parry.