Circling the Topic of Parries- Sabre’s Parry 3

Circling the Topic of Parries- Sabre’s Parry 3

One of the parries often left out of a sabre student’s repertoire is counter three (or circle three). If you are not familiar with this parry in Sabre and you are used to using “umbrella” parries like 4 and 5, you are missing out!

While slightly slower than parry 4, you’ll find that parry 3 will help you in several ways as a sabrist. It will allow you to search for the blade from further away. Drop your tip lower towards your opponent and then fish several times in 3. You’ll likely find an early parry; you can then make a prise d’ fer attack. Another reason that parry 3 will help you is it clears the low line. Personally, it drives me nuts when I get hit in the 2-line. A strong counter 3 will be able to pick up sneaky attacks under your forearm. Parry counter 3 will also allow you to hit with opposition (against right-handers) if you choose. This is very helpful in the age of all those dirty remises that plague the modern sabre game. Lastly, this parry can be very good in “the box” if you are not sure where your opponent will attack. Counter 3 will clear several lines at once taking some of the guesswork out of your counter time riposte.

Warning: Don’t attempt a counter 3 parry riposte from too close. You’ll likely just drag your opponents’ blade across your target and get hit with a dirty remise. Instead, use a check and a large retreat (not a cross-over) to accomplish keeping distance to succeed with your parry.

Good luck and happy hunting, Sabre Wolves!

-Coach Tedd Padgitt

About the author

Coach Tedd - Tedd Padgitt is the proud owner and operator of the finest fencing studio in San Diego: the Team Touché Fencing Center in Sorrento Valley. A competitive fencer for over 15 years, Padgitt continues to place in the top 32 in the country. Many of his accomplishments include being the 2005 Pacific Coast Foil Champion and winning the Pacific Coast overall foil points title in the 2005 and in 2006. Coach Padgitt has also made three trips to NCAA nationals achieving top 20 in the collegiate nation. While training with the Hungarian Olympic team in Budapest, he learned the finer points of foil and sabre. Coach Padgitt prides himself in his ability to teach children; he understands that the best way to coach children is through positive reinforcement. He believes in the power of humor to overcome adversity.