6 Sabre Parry Setups | Tactical Breakdown
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Parry of Seconde·Slicer Sabre
Here are 6 ways fencers can set up their parries to maximise their chance of success. 0:00 Intro 0:31 Ibragimov Backlin…
Parry of Seconde
SubFamilyスゴンド(Sugondo)
Translation: Second parry
Overview
The Parry of Seconde deflects low-line attacks by dropping the blade down and to the outside with the hand in pronation. [1] It is a powerful parry used against attacks to the lower body and is particularly effective in sabre fencing. [1] Seconde combines well with a riposte to the upper body. [1]
SecondeParry 2Second ParryParade de Seconde
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The Parry of Seconde 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 Seconde-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 seconde
From engagement — Transition into parry of seconde
Variants
Direct parry of seconde
Indirect parry of seconde
Compound parry of seconde
Videos
Different Ways to Parry with a Sword! #sword #martialarts #hema
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Parry of Seconde·Sellsword Arts
Start Learning Swordsmanship! https://www.truesteeltraining.com/ Help support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/s…
Bladework 2, part 1 Yielding parry
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Parry of Seconde·Alex Freeman
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The parry of seconde is a defensive sword technique that protects against incoming attacks by intercepting the opponent's blade. According to Sellsword Arts, parrying encompasses multiple mechanical approaches: static parries that position the defender favorably for immediate ripostes, beat parries that actively knock the opponent's sword aside, attacking parries that displace the blade while simultaneously striking the opponent, and evasive movements that void contact entirely. The technique's effectiveness depends on the chosen method and timing relative to the incoming attack. While Sellsword Arts provides clear categorical distinctions between parry types and their tactical applications—particularly the advantage of static parries for generating riposte opportunities—the available instructional material offers limited specificity regarding the seconde position itself, its hand and blade placement, or contextual positioning relative to other numbered parries in the classical fencing system. The transcripts from Slicer Sabre and Alex Freeman contain insufficient intelligible content to extract additional technical details about execution or variation.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Sellsword Arts — Different Ways to Parry with a Sword! #sword #martialarts #hema: Categorized parrying methods including static parries (enabling quick ripostes), beat parries, attacking parries (displacing blade while striking), and void evasion; established that parrying is a protective action with multiple mechanical implementations.
- Slicer Sabre — 6 Sabre Parry Setups | Tactical Breakdown: No intelligible instructional content extracted from transcript.
- Alex Freeman — Bladework 2, part 1 Yielding parry: No intelligible instructional content extracted from transcript.
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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
Intermediate
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 Seconde → 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 seconde protects the outside low line — the blade drops down and to the outside. Used primarily in épée where the entire body is a valid target. (Fencing technique manuals)
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Parry of Seconde work?
The Parry of Seconde deflects low-line attacks by dropping the blade down and to the outside with the hand in pronation. It is a powerful parry used against attacks to the lower body and is particularly effective in sabre fencing.
Where does the Parry of Seconde come from?
The Parry of Seconde 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 Seconde 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 Seconde?
Danger rating 1/10. Defensive parrying technique
How do I set up the Parry of Seconde?
The standard setup chain: En garde → Preparation → Parry of Seconde → Recovery.
How do I defend against the Parry of Seconde?
Standard counters include: Counter-parry / Distance management / Stop-hit.
What are the variants of the Parry of Seconde?
Common variants: Direct parry of seconde; Indirect parry of seconde; Compound parry of seconde.
How effective is the Parry of Seconde in competition?
Used in FIE international fencing competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Parry of Seconde?
Top errors to watch for: Over-extending / Telegraphing the action / Poor recovery.
What are other names for the Parry of Seconde?
The Parry of Seconde is also known as Sugondo, Seconde, Parry 2, Second Parry, Parade de Seconde.