These are the parries as I have learned them in
classical fencing. Except where noted, the
hand and
guard of the
sword stay at
solar plexus height.
1: a
low parry to the
inside line with the hand in
supination; typically done to cover
high line with the hand at head level.
2: a
low parry to the
outside line with the hand in
pronation
3: a
high parry to the
outside line with the hand in
pronation
4: a
high parry to the
inside line with the hand in
supination
5: a
high parry to the
inside line with the hand in
pronation
6: a
high parry to the
outside line with the hand in
supination
7: a
low parry to the
inside line with the hand in
supination
8: a
low parry to the
outside line with the hand in
supination
These are the traditional, classical parries, but there are also, slightly informally:
9: moving your body the hell out of the way
10: hitting your opponent such that they reconsider attacking you
In addition to these each parry has a counter, or circular, parry. The tip of the blade moves in a circle and finishes back where it starts. The goal is to move your opponent's blade away from your body, so counter-1 moves counter clockwise, counter-2 moves clockwise, counter-3 moves counter clockwise, etc.