Parry

Parry may refer to:

Places

Canada

Elsewhere

As a name

Other uses

Parry (fencing)

A parry is a fencing bladework maneuver intended to deflect or block an incoming attack.

Execution

To execute a parry, fencers strike the opponent's foible, or the area near the tip of the blade, with their forte, or the part of the blade near the bell guard (or handle) of the weapon. This deflects the opponent's blade away from them, protecting them and placing them in a good position to strike back. Approximations of the precise parries are made often during bouts, but are usually accurate enough to be classed as parries.

In épée, because of absence of priority rules (see right-of-way), a parry can be classed as any deflection of the blade that prevents the opponent's attack from landing. It can also be used in allowing the performance of a certain task.

Use

The primary function of a parry is to prevent an opponent's attack from landing. During a bout, parries are commenced from the "en garde" (neutral) position, when an opponent's attack is considered threatening.

A parry is usually followed by a riposte, which is an attack back against the original attacker. More advanced fencers can, instead of immediately riposting after successfully taking a parry, initiate a prise de fer ("taking of the blade") in which they move the opponent's blade to a different position and then hit them.

Parry (surname)

Parry is a name of Welsh origin originally derived from shortening 'ap Harry' (Welsh for "son of Harry"). It may refer to: