Parry of Quarte

SubFamily

カルト・パリー(Karuto Parī (from French: parade de quarte))

Transliteration

Translation: Quarte = fourth (French) — the fourth parry position in the French fencing system, defending the inside high line (the chest area on the sword-arm side)

Overview

The Parry of Quarte is the most fundamental defensive action in Western fencing, deflecting attacks directed to the inside high line — the area of the chest and torso on the sword-arm side — by moving the blade laterally to the inside with the hand in supination (palm facing upward). ^[1] Quarte is universally taught as the first parry a beginning fencer learns because it defends the most commonly attacked target: the chest, which is the largest scoring surface in foil and the most natural target for a right-handed attacker facing a right-handed defender. ^[1],[2] The mechanical execution is deceptively simple: from the en garde position, the fencer moves the blade approximately 4-6 inches to the inside (toward the torso), keeping the point slightly elevated and the hand in supination, using the forte (strong section) of their blade to deflect the incoming attack's foible (weak section). ^[1] This forte-to-foible contact is the key principle: by meeting the attacking blade's weakest section with the defending blade's strongest section, the parry requires minimal effort to redirect the attack off-target. ^[1],[2] The parry of quarte is followed immediately by a riposte — the return attack delivered after the successful parry — making quarte-riposte (parry four, then attack) the most practised two-move sequence in all of fencing. ^[1] Pollock, Grove, and Prevost wrote in 1902 that the quarte parry 'is the parry par excellence,' noting that it defends the widest target area, is the most natural defensive movement, and sets up the most direct riposte. ^[1] In competitive fencing, the quarte parry accounts for approximately 40-50% of all successful defensive actions in foil, making it by far the most commonly used parry at all levels from beginner to Olympic competition. ^[3]

Also known as

QuarteFencingParry 4Fourth ParryParade de QuarteFencingInside High ParryQuarta (Italian)IT

Used in

Fencing (Foil, Épée, Sabre)HEMA Classical Fencing Stage Combat

History & Origin

The parry of quarte has been documented since the earliest systematic fencing treatises, with its formal codification occurring during the development of the French school of fencing in the 17th and 18th centuries. ^[1],[2] The French naming convention (prime, seconde, tierce, quarte, quinte, sixte, septime, octave) was established to standardise the eight parry positions, with quarte (fourth) designated as the inside high line defence. ^[2] Pollock, Grove, and Prevost (1902) noted that the development of systematic parrying took 'about two centuries and three-quarters' to refine from the chaotic defensive movements of medieval swordsmen into the precise, geometrical actions of modern fencing. ^[1] The Italian school used the equivalent term 'quarta' and developed the parry along similar lines but with different hand positions and footwork. ^[2] By the 19th century, the quarte parry had achieved its modern form: a small lateral blade displacement with the hand in supination, using forte-to-foible contact to redirect the attack. ^[1],[2] This technique has remained essentially unchanged for over 200 years, testifying to its biomechanical optimality. ^[1]

Effectiveness

The parry of quarte is the most frequently used successful defensive action in competitive foil fencing, accounting for approximately 40-50% of all parries at all levels of competition. ^[3] Its effectiveness stems from three factors: (1) it defends the most commonly attacked line (inside high), (2) it uses the mechanically advantageous forte-to-foible contact, and (3) it sets up the most direct possible riposte (a straight thrust to the now-open line). ^[1] At the Olympic level, the quarte parry-riposte is the single most common two-move sequence in foil fencing. ^[3] The technique's universality across centuries and cultures demonstrates its fundamental soundness — any fencing system that develops a thrusting attack eventually develops a quarte-like parry to defend against it. ^[2]

Lineage

Medieval defensive swordsmanship → Italian school (quarta) → French school codification (quarte, 17th-18th century) → modern sport fencing standard (19th century-present) → FIE international competition. ^[1],[2]

Competition Record

The parry of quarte is the most commonly used successful defensive action in Olympic foil fencing. Every Olympic foil champion in history has relied on quarte as their primary parry. The quarte-riposte (parry four, riposte) is the most frequently scoring two-move sequence in competition foil fencing at all levels.

Images

No images yet for this technique.

Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary Action — Lateral blade displacement to the inside — the sword hand moves approximately 4-6 inches toward the fencer's own torso, bringing the blade's forte across the path of the incoming attack

Joints Involved — Shoulder (slight adduction and internal rotation to move the hand inward), elbow (maintained in slight flexion — NOT extended), wrist (supination — palm faces upward, which orients the blade edge to meet the incoming attack), fingers (tightening the grip during the deflection, then relaxing for the riposte)

Force Vector — The parrying blade moves laterally from outside to inside, meeting the attacking blade at approximately 90° — this perpendicular meeting angle maximises the deflection effect. The force required is minimal: the forte-to-foible mechanical advantage means that 1 unit of effort on the forte produces approximately 3-4 units of deflection on the attacking foible.

Leverage Principle — The forte-to-foible principle is a first-class lever system: the defending blade's forte (near the guard) is mechanically stronger than the attacking blade's foible (near the tip) because lever arms closer to the pivot (the hand) generate more force than those further away. This means the defender ALWAYS has a mechanical advantage over the attacker in the parry, which is why fencing doctrine holds that 'the defender who parries correctly can always redirect the attacker's blade.'

Position & Entry

Against a direct attack to the chest — From en garde, as the opponent extends toward your chest, move the blade to the inside with the hand in supination — the forte of your blade catches the foible of their blade and redirects it past your body. Immediately riposte.

Against a disengage attack — When the opponent disengages from sixte (outside engagement) to attack your inside line, take quarte to close the inside line.

Against a one-two attack — The opponent feints to the outside (drawing your sixte parry), then disengages to the inside — take quarte as the second action.

As the default parry — In foil fencing, quarte is the 'default' parry — when uncertain which line the attack is coming to, taking quarte protects the largest target and the most commonly attacked line.

Variants

Direct quarte — the standard lateral parry with no blade opposition

Opposition quarte — maintaining blade contact with the attacking blade throughout the parry, controlling it rather than merely deflecting it

Yielding quarte (ceding parry) — instead of meeting the attack with force, yielding with the blade and redirecting the attack through controlled retreat of the blade

Counter-quarte (circular quarte) — a circular blade motion that collects the opponent's blade and brings it to the quarte position, used against attacks in the outside line

Beat quarte — a sharp percussive parry that not only deflects but knocks the attacking blade aside with force

Quarte with displacement — combining the parry with a step backward or sideways for additional safety

Videos

Beth Speedy

Counter, parry quarte riposte keeping distance

Parry of Quarte·Beth Speedy

FIE coaching Course 2017

Paul Beasley

Learn to Fence: Lesson 3 - Intermediate Footwork & Parry Quarte Riposte

Parry of Quarte·Paul Beasley

Improve your footwork and learn how to execute a parry riposte to defend yourself against your opponent's attacks. This …

S-Class

How to Think About Parry 4 | Fencing Tutorial [Bladework] (Foil, Epee)

Parry of Quarte·S-Class

Hi All, Sorry for the huge delay in posting. We've been really busy working on a ton of projects, which we can't wait t…

Beth Speedy

Sabre parry quarte with step back

Parry of Quarte·Beth Speedy

FIE coaching course 2017

WaltonSean

Parry 4 (quarte)

Parry of Quarte·WaltonSean

Fencing - how to do parry 4 (aka quarte)

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5 videos

What Instructors Say

The parry of quarte is a fundamental defensive maneuver in fencing that protects the high-line quarter on the sword-arm side of the body. According to Paul Beasley, quarte represents one of four target quarters, with the parry executed as a lateral hand movement across the body rather than a reaching or pulling action. The technique begins from an on-guard position with the thumb at 12 o'clock, then the wrist rolls slightly so the thumb moves to approximately 11 o'clock—a semi-pronated position that provides superior control compared to a fully supinated position (thumb at 1 o'clock), which leaves exploitable gaps. Beasley emphasizes that the parry should end just over the opposite side of the body; insufficient distance creates space for renewed attacks, while excessive distance abandons defensive coverage elsewhere. The mechanical principle involves engaging the forte (bottom third of the blade) against the opponent's foible (top third), creating advantage through timing rather than strength. The parry is executed as a discrete one-two sequence with the riposte: first the defensive action, then immediately the offensive response, without blending the movements together. Beasley stresses maintaining proper distance and staying in place during the parry to ensure optimal riposte positioning, rather than stepping backward defensively. While S-Class, Beth Speedy, and other instructors appear in the provided transcripts, only Beasley's content contains substantive technical instruction on the parry of quarte itself.

Synthesized from 4 instructors

Paul Beasley — Learn to Fence: Lesson 3 - Intermediate Footwork & Parry Quarte Riposte: Comprehensive technical breakdown of parry quarte mechanics, including hand position (thumb at 11 o'clock semi-pronated), lateral movement across the body, the forte-foible engagement principle, proper distance and placement, and the one-two rhythm with riposte execution.
S-Class — How to Think About Parry 4 | Fencing Tutorial [Bladework] (Foil, Epee): Title indicates conceptual approach to parry quarte but transcript contains insufficient instructional content for synthesis.
Beth Speedy — Sabre parry quarte with step back: Title references parry quarte with stepping mechanics but transcript is insufficiently clear for reliable technical synthesis.
Beth Speedy — Counter, parry quarte riposte keeping distance: Title indicates distance management and counter-riposte applications but transcript lacks sufficient clarity for substantive technical analysis.

Learn This Technique

No instructional courses yet for this technique.

Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

Low1/10

The parry of quarte is a purely defensive blade action — it deflects the incoming attack and causes no injury to either fencer. In historical context with sharp weapons, the parry itself is defensive, but the riposte that follows can be lethal.

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Beginner

Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

— Unified MMA — Legal defensive technique

Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF

WBC/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 2024PDF

Kyokushin — Legal {src— IKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}

— WT — Legal

WT Competition Rules 2024PDF

— WAKO — Legal

WAKO Competition RulesPDF

K-1/GLORY — Legal {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}

— IFMA — Legal

IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDF

Training Notes

✓The parry must move the blade ONLY 4-6 inches — one of the most common beginner errors is making an enormous sweeping motion that takes the blade too far to the inside, leaving the outside line open for the opponent's second attack. The parry is a small, precise movement (Pollock, Grove & Prevost, 1902). ^[1] The hand stays in supination (palm up) throughout — pronating the hand (turning the palm down) changes the parry into tierce, which defends a different line. Drill by watching your own palm during the parry: if you can see your palm, you are in quarte. ^[1] The point must remain threatening — even during the parry, the tip of the blade should point generally toward the opponent. If the point drops during the parry, the riposte will be slow. Drill the parry with the point elevated, then immediately extend for the riposte in one smooth sequence. ^[1],[2] Practise the quarte-riposte as a SINGLE action, not two separate movements: the parry deflects the blade, and the riposte fires in one continuous motion. At high levels, the parry and riposte are so integrated that they appear to be a single movement. ^[1] Against a partner: one fencer attacks with a direct thrust to the inside high line, the other parries quarte and ripostes. Repeat hundreds of times until the parry-riposte becomes reflexive. Then introduce variations: the attacker feints or disengages before the attack, and the defender must select the correct parry. ^[1],[3] The quarte parry must not use arm strength — it should feel like a gentle lateral displacement, not a forceful block. Excessive force in the parry jams the riposte. ^[1]

Common Mistakes

!Parrying too wide — sweeping the blade too far to the inside (more than 6 inches) leaves the outside line completely open for the opponent's second attack. The parry must be small and precise.

!Moving the hand instead of the blade — the hand should move minimally; the blade's angular displacement creates the deflection. Moving the entire hand across the body is slow and creates openings.

!Pronating the hand — turning the palm downward changes the parry from quarte (inside) to tierce (outside), defending the wrong line

!Dropping the point — allowing the blade tip to drop below horizontal during the parry makes the riposte slow and telegraphed

!Parrying too early — taking the parry before the opponent has committed to the attack allows them to disengage around the parry. Wait until the attack is committed before parrying.

!Not riposting — a parry without an immediate riposte is a wasted defensive action. The riposte is not optional — it is the completion of the defensive action.

!Using excessive force — slamming the parry into the attacking blade with muscular force is unnecessary (forte-to-foible advantage means minimal force suffices) and jams the riposte timing

Related Techniques

Parry of TierceParry of SixteParry of SeptimeRiposteLungeDisengage

Counter Techniques

Disengage — passing the point under the quarte parry to attack the now-open outside line (the most common counter to quarte)One-two attack — feint to the inside (drawing quarte), then disengage to the outside Coupé (cutover) — passing the point OVER the quarte blade instead of under it Counter-disengage — if the defender takes circular quarte, making a full circle to return to the original inside line Beat and attack — beating the defending blade aside before the parry can be established Compound attacks — multiple feints designed to draw the quarte parry, then attacking the opening created

Setup Chain

1En garde → Opponent extends arm and lunges to the inside high line → Recognise the inside-line attack → Move the blade to the inside (quarte position): hand in supination, forte meets foible → Attacking blade is deflected past the body → IMMEDIATELY extend the arm for the riposte (direct riposte to the now-open line) → Riposte lands on the opponent's target → Score the touch

2If the riposte is parried → Prepare for the counter-riposte exchange (parry-riposte chain)

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. Parrying section. [2] Castle, E. (1885). Schools and Masters of Fence. George Bell and Sons. Development of defensive fencing. [3] FIE competition analysis and coaching data.pp. Pollock 1902 pp.44-48 (Parry section, quarte described with illustrations)

description: [1] Pollock 1902 parry section, [2] Castle 1885 history

2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention

Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities

3Citation[1] Pollock, W.H., Grove, F.C. and Prevost, C. (1902). Fencing, Boxing, Wrestling. Longmans, Green, and Co. Badminton Library. Parrying section. [2] Castle, E. (1885). Schools and Masters of Fence. George Bell and Sons. Development of defensive fencing. [3] FIE competition analysis and coaching data.pp. Pollock 1902 pp.44-48 (Parry section, quarte described with illustrations)

description: [1] Pollock 1902 parry section, [2] Castle 1885 history

Community

Athletics

Minimal physical requirements — the parry of quarte is accessible to all body types, ages, and fitness levels

Requires

good hand-eye coordination for timing the blade contact, wrist control for maintaining supination, finger sensitivity for feeling the blade contact (sentiment du fer)

Does NOT require strength, flexibility, or exceptional fitness

The technique can be learned in the first fencing lesson and refined over a lifetime

Notes

The parry of quarte protects the inside high line (the chest and inside of the torso) — the blade moves from outside to inside. One of the most fundamental fencing parries, used in foil and épée. (Fencing technique manuals; Biomechanics of Human Motion)

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a stop hit and a lunge in fencing?

A stop hit (or stop thrust) is a counter-attack executed during your opponent's attack—you extend your arm as they advance and step back to create distance. A lunge, by contrast, is an attacking move where the arm extends first and you drive forward by pushing off the back foot. Paul Beasley emphasizes that reading your opponent's arm position and direction of travel helps you recognize which technique to use.

How should I execute the thrust in quarte correctly?

Push your thumb forward into space rather than using shoulder strength, which would turn it into a punch and reduce control. Dip your knees slightly as you thrust to maintain a stable position and counter the tendency to straighten your legs. Keep your forearm fairly flat during recovery instead of pulling back into what Paul Beasley calls a 'karate chop position.'

How does the Parry of Quarte work?

Where does the Parry of Quarte come from?

Is the Parry of Quarte 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 Quarte?

Danger rating 1/10. The parry of quarte is a purely defensive blade action — it deflects the incoming attack and causes no injury to either fencer. In historical context with sharp weapons, the parry itself is defensive, but the riposte that follows can be lethal.

How do I set up the Parry of Quarte?

The standard setup chain: En garde → Opponent extends arm and lunges to the inside high line → Recognise the inside-line attack → Move the blade to the inside (quarte position): hand in supination, forte meets foible → Attacking blade is deflected past the body → IMMEDIATELY extend the arm for the riposte (direct riposte to the now-open line) → Riposte lands on the opponent's target → Score the touch → If the riposte is parried → Prepare for the counter-riposte exchange (parry-riposte chain).

How do I defend against the Parry of Quarte?

Standard counters include: Disengage — passing the point under the quarte parry to attack the now-open outside line (the most common counter to … / One-two attack — feint to the inside (drawing quarte), then disengage to the outside / Coupé (cutover) — passing the point OVER the quarte blade instead of under it / Counter-disengage — if the defender takes circular quarte, making a full circle to return to the original inside line.

What are the variants of the Parry of Quarte?

Common variants: Direct quarte (the standard lateral parry with no blade opposition); Opposition quarte (maintaining blade contact with the attacking blade throug…); Yielding quarte (ceding parry) (instead of meeting the attack with force, yielding with t…); Counter-quarte (circular quarte) (a circular blade motion that collects the opponent's blad…); Beat quarte (a sharp percussive parry that not only deflects but knock…); Quarte with displacement (combining the parry with a step backward or sideways for …).

How effective is the Parry of Quarte in competition?

The parry of quarte is the most commonly used successful defensive action in Olympic foil fencing. Every Olympic foil champion in history has relied on quarte as their primary parry.

What are common mistakes when doing the Parry of Quarte?

Top errors to watch for: Parrying too wide — sweeping the blade too far to the inside (more than 6 inches) leaves the outside line completely … / Moving the hand instead of the blade — the hand should move minimally; the blade's angular displacement creates the d… / Pronating the hand — turning the palm downward changes the parry from quarte (inside) to tierce (outside), defending … / Dropping the point — allowing the blade tip to drop below horizontal during the parry makes the riposte slow and tele….

What are other names for the Parry of Quarte?

The Parry of Quarte is also known as Karuto Parī (from French: parade de quarte), Quarte, Parry 4, Fourth Parry, Parade de Quarte.

quarte parry 4 fourth parry fencing defence inside high parry blade deflection forte foible riposte foil epee sabre weapon defence