How to Parry With an Epee

The epee is the heaviest of the three swords used in fencing, and can be distinguished by its triangular blade and a large hemispherical bell guard. The reason for this large guard is that the epee is the one weapon in fencing that can score with a touch of the point of the weapon to any part of an opponent's body, including the hands and feet. Since the fencer must worry about protecting all parts of his body, learning to deflect or parry incoming lunges is imperative.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. In a balanced stance, with your sword pointed straight toward your opponent, wait for them to lunge in with their sword.

2. Imagine an invisible crosshair extending horizontally and vertically from the tip of your sword, and determine which quadrant the incoming lunge is coming from.

3. Move the tip of your into the quadrant that the attack is coming from, pushing the opponent's sword aside so that the line of their lunge will miss your body. Most often, your opponent will attack your chest or arms, so this will mean parrying by moving the tip of your sword up and to the right, or up and to the left. On occasion, a lunge will come in toward your stomach or legs, which will require a parry down and to the right or left. If the incoming attack is near the level of your sword, drop your hand slightly as you parry up and to the appropriate side.

Tips & Warnings

• You only need to push your opponent's sword aside with a parry enough so that the line of his lunge will no longer hit your body. Therefore try to move the tip of your blade as little as possible when deflecting a lunge, so that you can more quickly get back into a balanced position.

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