Parry

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.

Par"ry (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Parried (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Parrying.] [F. par'e, p. p. of parer. See Pare, v. t.]

1.

To ward off; to stop, or to turn aside; as, to parry a thrust, a blow, or anything that means or threatens harm.

Locke.

Vice parries wide The undreaded volley with a sword of straw. Cowper.

2.

To avoid; to shift or put off; to evade.

The French government has parried the payment of our claims. E. Everett.

 

© Webster 1913.

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Par"ry, v. i.

To ward off, evade, or turn aside something, as a blow, argument, etc.

Locke.

 

© Webster 1913.

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Par"ry, n.; pl. Parries ().

A warding off of a thrust or blow, as in sword and bayonet exercises or in boxing; hence, figuratively, a defensive movement in debate or other intellectual encounter.

 

© Webster 1913.