The Nine Parries of Saber Fencing

The Parry is important for defending against attacks and offers an opportunity to counter attack. Without learning parries it will be difficult to effectively compete in fencing. Your body will be generally open to seasoned fencers. Practicing defending against attacks using multiple parries is important for creating the highest levels of competitive skill.

The most common parries used are Parry of Four, Parry of Six, Parry of Seven, and Parry of Eight (1). They are designed to protect your right side, left side, lower stomach, middle of your stomach. They are parries designed to cover the core areas of your body and help you defend against the majority of fencing attacks. 

Prime: Stops a cut to the chest.

Seconde: Stops a low cut to the flank

Tierce: Stops high cut to the flank

Quarte: Stops high cut to the chest.

Quinte: Stops cut to head.

Sixte: Stops cut to head.

Septime: Stops cut to back.

Octave: Stops cut to flank.
Neuvieme: Protects Back

Michigan State University has a pretty good fencing illustration that is completed in pictures which is better than the drawings here. The pictures are fairly ancient and in black and white but still provide the basic moves. 

https://www.msu.edu/~oberg/fencing/Barbasetti/parries.html

Effectively Using the Inquartata in Fencing

The inquartata is a great advanced move in fencing that removes much of the body target away from the opponent’s attack. Even though it can be defeated by a remise (repeat of attack) it is still effective against most fencers. It is a move that comes from its Italian background and is not only effective but also theatrical (1). It should be practiced to ensure one can complete the inquartata with a counter-parry to make it most effective. The ending body posture does allow for considerable reach to meet the opponent.

Even though I have tried it a few times with mixed success I can honestly say that I am not a master of this move. Generally, it is conducted when the attacker extends his blade for a strike and the left foot is placed backwards to the rear stretching the chest and pulling much of the body away from the opponent’s blade. The right foot stays where it starts at the beginning of the move. The right hand holding the weapon is pushed outward to block the opponent’s blade even further from the body. Adding an opposition parry allows for a counter strike at the end of the sequence. 

The advantage of learning multiple moves is that you develop a battery of skills that can respond to different situations and strikes.  Research by Bortoli et. al. (1992) indicates that students can practice the same repetitive movements (i.e. defensive vs. attacking) with some success but are better off practicing multiple movements in one session (i.e. defensive and attacking) for higher learning. The speed of use of multiple tactics improves over time even though it seems clunky at first. 

You may watch a video on how the inquartata is completed below:

 

Bortoli, et. al. (1992). Effects of contextual interference on learning technical sports skills. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 75.

 

The All or Nothing Passata Sotto in Fencing

The Passata Sotto is an “all or nothing” move that attempts to duck under an opponent’s blade and make a single fatal strike. The move is advanced and is considered risky due to the inherent nature of being in an unprotected position. Crouching on the floor leaves little ability to move out of a counter attack or defend ones back from a strike.

“The Passata Sotto (also called Cartoccio) may be applied in all cases against the final thrust of actions directed by means of one or more movements at the outer or high trunk line. Simultaneously with your opponent’s lunge, you duck quickly by putting the left foot as far back as possible and the flat of the left hand on the floor. At the same time, turn your fist to Second Position and direct your point at your adversary’s flank.(1)”

This tactic is quick and generally needs to be practiced over and over to create a lightning speed maneuver. The problem is that it is also an exhausting move to practice and can only be engaged in a few times an hour. As one practices their lunges and strikes they are also learning the skills to complete this type of move. Even in a bout it is possible to only use once for fear the opponent will adapt. 

The general movements:

-Swing left straight back while dropping down on the left leg.

-Simultaneously place left hand on the floor for balance.

-Strike to opponent’s body.

An alternative to this fencing tactic is simply to move into a crouched position on both legs (like duck walk). This will afford the opportunity to recover if you make a mistake but may not go down far enough to have clear enough strike to the opponent’s mid section. You may need to practice both for some time before getting the hang of it. It is naturally that the opponent towers over you.

Practicing the Lunge in Saber

The lunge is a fundamental move in Saber that engages the arm, legs, and torso to make a breaking action forward. The lunge helps quickly close the distance between the attacker and defender using forward momentum. When done well the lunge can offer a powerful attack without offering much time for the defender to respond. 

There are a few steps that help make an attack possible. 

1.       Start in the En Garde Position. The right arm should be forward with the saber, the right knee slightly bent and pointing forward, and the left leg extended backward with the left food at a 90 degree or perpendicular angle. 

2.       Extend your arm forward creating a pointing motion with the saber. 

3.       Push off with the back leg while springing forward with the right leg.

4.       Lunge to create a perpendicular front leg, a straight extended back leg, and the arm point straight forward for maximum reach.

5.       Reposition back into the En Garde position in case your lunge missed its target. 

The lunge is a basic move learned by all beginners. As one progresses in the sport they learn more variations and continue to add components to this. For example, a lunge mixed with a feint and then a strike will encourage the opponent to adjust in the wrong direction thereby allowing the lunge to proceed to its target un-thwarted.