Welcome to the intermediates guide to fencing, where we will focus on more advanced technique and tactics. The first topic we are covering is parries.
Intermediate Parries:
The intermediate parries are circle 4 (C4) circle 6 (C6) and parry 1 or prime (P1).
Circle 4: To perform a C4, come en garde in 4. Rotate your blade to the right (right for a righty, and left for lefty) and down, making a large circle that starts and ends in 4. While performing, take a step backward, the timing of this step is the same as a parry 4. This parry is done with mainly the fingers rotating the blade, some of the wrist, and a little of the forearm. Something else to keep in mind is this is a big circle, it is meant to cover all target areas, so it should be very large. C4 Is typically used when a parry 4 fails, and is used almost as a panic parry to pick up the blade. It is not used for searching because you have to move you blade around the outside (which is fine if your in 4, but a unnecessary movement in 6, which is where you are en garde) and this delays picking up the blade. However C6 immediately starts moving in the inside. The riposte for this could be anywhere, and is really a matter of opening lines, or a target is presented.
Circle 6: To perform a C6, come en garde in 6. Rotate your blade down and to the left (left for a righty, right for a lefty) and make a large circle that starts and ends in 6. Again this should be large. This is also done with mainly your fingers. C6 is done to search, or as a panic parry if they surprised you, it could be used to add variety to your parries, and if you are unsure of where your opponent is going to hit. The riposte is almost always a flick, because your in the high line, (especially a flick to 6 or the shoulder). You could also riposte direct or indirect to 4, or where ever else looks good for you.
Parry 1: To perform a P1, come en garde in 6. Move your elbow up, your point should now be pointing off to the left (left for righty, right for left) in space. Then bend your wrist in, the point should now be facing the floor. Although a bit awkward, this is a good parry to crush the distance, and counter with. If you keep your opponent’s blade on the other side of it, you lock them out. This is also how you “infight”, which just means your super close, and it’s really awkward to hit, just P1 then riposte. The riposte is either done by either moving your wrist slightly forward, and then stabbing down. Or you rotate your wrist forward and the point swings out in front of you (this is not very common). You could riposte to any line, but 8 (preferably) or 7 are good ideas, or if you step in (and have the flexibility) you can hit in the high lines.
I hope you now have a clearer understanding of how the intermediate parries work, and a bit about how to use them.
Until next time,
-Fuzzy