Fencing 101: Intro to the Parry
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Parry of Prime·RecSport Education
An overview of the 4 primary parries and 8 basic parries of sport fencing. The demonstration is done with a foil, in the…
Parry of Prime
SubFamilyプリム(Purimu)
Translation: First parry
Overview
The Parry of Prime is the oldest and most instinctive defensive movement, sweeping the blade downward and across the body to deflect attacks to the inside low line. [1] It is rarely used in modern competition but remains important in classical and historical fencing. [1],[2] Prime was the first parry documented in early fencing treatises. [1]
PrimeParry 1First ParryParade de Prime
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The Parry of Prime remains a core technique in modern competitive fencing and historical swordsmanship. [1]
Lineage
Competition Record
Used in FIE international fencing competition
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Parry of Prime-specific fencing mechanics
Joints Involved — Arm (extension/rotation), wrist (angulation), legs (lunge drive)
Force Vector — Technique-specific
Leverage Principle — Forte-to-foible blade leverage and body mechanics
Position & Entry
From en garde — Execute the parry of prime
From engagement — Transition into parry of prime
Variants
Direct parry of prime
Indirect parry of prime
Compound parry of prime
Videos
Hope Lesson Two: Parry in Prime vs. Cut
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Parry of Prime·Keith Myers
Parry 1 Prime
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Parry of Prime·WaltonSean
Sabre prime parry movement
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Parry of Prime·Beth Speedy
FIE coaching course 2017
How to Parry-Riposte in the Italian Epée Style
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Parry of Prime·Achilleus
The music for this video is available for purchase and free streaming at achilleus.bandcamp.com/track/pineapple-pizza
Fencing - prime parry riposte
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Parry of Prime·Paul Davis
Team PDFA training day 17/02/2016
Parry Prime or 1
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Parry of Prime·Cyrano's Place
This video is approved by the United States Fencing Coaches Association. (USFCA) for training purposes. Parry Prime or 1…
Basic foil parry 1
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Parry of Prime·Upstart Crows of Santa Fe
Rylie Philpot demonstrates basic parries for foil fights
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8 videosWhat Instructors Say
The parry of prime (parry one) is an esoteric defensive position in fencing, characterized by a low hand position with the point directed downward. According to Coach Cass of Cyrano's Place, the parry of prime is statistically used at least once per day in competition, though it remains a secondary tool compared to the fourth and sixth parries. The fundamental mechanics involve a pendulum motion generated from the forearm, with the hand positioned high enough to maintain visual awareness beneath it. The execution sequence begins with stepping to the side to establish proper distance, followed by dropping the point and catching the incoming blade with a controlled pendulum swing that naturally transitions into a riposte. Coach Cass emphasizes the importance of developing tactile sensitivity to the blade contact before increasing speed, and stresses that practitioners should master the pendulum feel before attempting full competition application. The technique requires deliberate practice and breakdown into component parts—stance, point control, pendulum timing, and blade contact—rather than rushing toward full-speed execution. Upstart Crows of Santa Fe contextualizes prime as position one within the numbered parry sequence, establishing its place in the broader defensive repertoire.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- Cyrano's Place — Parry Prime or 1: Detailed mechanical breakdown of prime parry including hand position, pendulum motion, stepping mechanics, point control, and progressive speed development from static practice to full-speed competition use.
- Upstart Crows of Santa Fe — Basic foil parry 1: Positional numbering context showing prime as parry one within the standard parry sequence.
Learn This Technique
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
1
Low1/10
Defensive parrying technique
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFWBC/Boxing — Legal — blocking and evasion are core boxing skills {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
— WKF — Legal — blocking is a fundamental karate skill
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDFKyokushin — Legal {src— IKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}
— WT — Legal
WT Competition Rules 2024PDF— WAKO — Legal
WAKO Competition RulesPDFK-1/GLORY — Legal {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
— IFMA — Legal
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Practise with a partner in controlled conditions (Pollock et al., 1902)
✓Focus on economy of motion
✓Develop blade sentiment through slow-speed drills
Common Mistakes
!Over-extending
!Telegraphing the action
!Poor recovery
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1En garde → Preparation → Parry of Prime → Recovery
Sources & References
Primary Source
Fencing (Pollock, Grove & Prevost, 1902)
1Book[1] Pollock, W.H., Grove, F.C. and Prevost, C. (1902). Fencing, Boxing, Wrestling. Longmans, Green, and Co. Badminton Library of Sports and Pastimes. [2] Castle, E. (1885). Schools and Masters of Fence. George Bell and Sons.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Pollock, W
2Citation[1] Pollock, W.H., Grove, F.C. and Prevost, C. (1902). Fencing, Boxing, Wrestling. Longmans, Green, and Co. Badminton Library of Sports and Pastimes. [2] Castle, E. (1885). Schools and Masters of Fence. George Bell and Sons.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Pollock, W
Community
Athletics
Requires good arm extension
Quick reflexes
Balance and footwork
Notes
The parry of prime is the most protective parry — the blade sweeps down and across to cover the inside low line. Named 'first' because it was historically the first defensive position taught. (Fencing technique manuals)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the basic mechanics of a parry of prime?
The parry of prime involves dropping your point down, stepping to the side to get into wrist position with your hand down, then using a pendulum motion from your forearm to catch and deflect the incoming blade before riposting.
How should my hand be positioned when performing a parry of prime?
Your hand needs to be high enough so you can see under it and maintain sight of your target, with your point down to facilitate the pendulum catching motion.
Why shouldn't I rely on the parry of prime as my main defense?
The parry of prime is a supplementary tool; you should rely mostly on your four and six parries as your primary defensive options.
What's the most important thing to practice before using parry of prime in competition?
You need to develop a strong feel for the pendulum motion and practice breaking down the technique slowly, otherwise your timing and execution will fall apart.
How does the Parry of Prime work?
The Parry of Prime is the oldest and most instinctive defensive movement, sweeping the blade downward and across the body to deflect attacks to the inside low line. It is rarely used in modern competition but remains important in classical and historical fencing.
Where does the Parry of Prime come from?
The Parry of Prime was codified in European fencing treatises from the 16th century onward. Italian and French schools developed the technique into its modern form through centuries of refinement.
Is the Parry of Prime legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive technique; WBC/Boxing: legal — Legal — blocking and evasion are core boxing skills; WKF: legal — Legal — blocking is a fundamental karate skill; Kyokushin: legal — Legal; WT: legal — Legal; WAKO: legal — Legal; K: legal — 1/GLORY — Legal; IFMA: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Parry of Prime?
Danger rating 1/10. Defensive parrying technique
How do I set up the Parry of Prime?
The standard setup chain: En garde → Preparation → Parry of Prime → Recovery.
How do I defend against the Parry of Prime?
Standard counters include: Counter-parry / Distance management / Stop-hit.
What are the variants of the Parry of Prime?
Common variants: Direct parry of prime; Indirect parry of prime; Compound parry of prime.
How effective is the Parry of Prime in competition?
Used in FIE international fencing competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Parry of Prime?
Top errors to watch for: Over-extending / Telegraphing the action / Poor recovery.
What are other names for the Parry of Prime?
The Parry of Prime is also known as Purimu, Prime, Parry 1, First Parry, Parade de Prime.