Lesson 5 - Pare 6th, 7, Septime, 4th extend lunge.
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Parry of Septime·Thierry1964
ISB Fencing Club lesson.
Parry of Septime
SubFamilyセプティム(Seputimu)
Translation: Seventh parry
Overview
The Parry of Septime deflects low-line attacks to the inside by dropping the blade downward with the hand in supination. [1] Septime protects the lower abdomen and thigh on the inside line. [1] It is essential against low-line attacks in épée fencing. [1]
SeptimeFencingParry 7Seventh ParryParade de SeptimeFencing
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The Parry of Septime 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 Septime-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 septime
From engagement — Transition into parry of septime
Variants
Direct parry of septime
Indirect parry of septime
Compound parry of septime
Videos
Fencing Tips : How to Teach a Parry in Fencing
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Parry of Septime·eHowSports
To teach a parry in fencing, teach students to both block the offending sword and put themselves in a position to score.…
![Seated Parry Riposte Game | Fencing Tutorial [Home Edition] Foil, Epee, Saber](https://img.youtube.com/vi/B_sHGhLolC4/hqdefault.jpg)
Seated Parry Riposte Game | Fencing Tutorial [Home Edition] Foil, Epee, Saber
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Parry of Septime·S-Class
Hi All, This is a classic drill to develop the following skills: 1) Efficient Technique 2) Tactical Decision Making Ru…
Fencing Tips : Fencing: Parrying Techniques
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Parry of Septime·eHowSports
Parrying techniques for fencing improve your defensive actions in fencing matches. Defend yourself while fencing with he…
Parry 7 (septime)
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Parry of Septime·WaltonSean
Fencing - how to do parry 7 (aka septime)
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5 videosWhat Instructors Say
The parry of septime (also called parry 7) is one of eight fundamental parry positions in foil fencing, used to defend the lower inside line of the body. According to eHowSports instructor Stuart Philip Kaufman, the eight parry positions protect different quadrants and areas: positions 1–4 cover the upper and lower lines on the inside, while positions 6–8 cover the outside and lower areas. Septime specifically occupies the low inside sector. Thierry1964's instructional sequence demonstrates septime's practical application in combination with other parries, emphasizing that practitioners must maintain proper palm orientation (palm up on the preceding sixth position parry) and execute smooth transitions between parries to avoid awkward positions like tierce. The instructor stresses that foilists should begin with a solid parry position, execute a controlled transport of the blade, and finish in a secure defensive posture before launching a riposte. Kaufman's broader pedagogical framework notes that all parries function as blocking actions that simultaneously position the fencer to score on the answer, making septime part of a systematic defensive vocabulary taught before offensive techniques. The technique requires coordinated footwork and blade control to maintain protection while transitioning to counterattack.
Synthesized from 4 instructors
- eHowSports — Fencing Tips : Fencing: Parrying Techniques: Established septime as parry position 7, one of eight core parry positions, protecting the low inside area; provided foundational system of parry quadrants and defensive coverage areas.
- Thierry1964 — Lesson 5 - Pare 6th, 7, Septime, 4th extend lunge: Demonstrated septime execution in practical drill sequences, including transitions from sixth position parry; emphasized maintaining proper palm orientation and smooth blade transport to avoid unintended positions; showed integration with footwork and riposte.
- eHowSports — Fencing Tips : How to Teach a Parry in Fencing: Explained parries' pedagogical priority (taught before offense) and functional purpose: blocking incoming blades while positioning the point for immediate riposte scoring.
- WaltonSean — Parry 7 (septime): Video title confirms septime nomenclature as parry 7; transcript insufficient for content contribution.
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
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 Septime → 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 septime protects the inside low line — similar to prime but with the hand in supination (palm up). Used against low-line attacks to the flank and thigh. (Fencing technique manuals)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key to executing a good parry—should I focus on blocking or on keeping my point ready?
You need to do both: position your sword to block the incoming blade while keeping your point in line so you can score quickly on the riposte. Stuart Kaufman emphasizes that this dual purpose—defense and offensive readiness—is what makes an effective parry.
In septime, why does palm position matter so much?
Keeping your palm up in the sixth position (which forms the basis of septime) prevents the parry from becoming awkward and difficult to execute cleanly. If your hand rotates, the mechanics break down and you lose control.
How does the Parry of Septime work?
The Parry of Septime deflects low-line attacks to the inside by dropping the blade downward with the hand in supination. Septime protects the lower abdomen and thigh on the inside line.
Where does the Parry of Septime come from?
The Parry of Septime 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 Septime 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 Septime?
Danger rating 1/10. Defensive parrying technique
How do I set up the Parry of Septime?
The standard setup chain: En garde → Preparation → Parry of Septime → Recovery.
How do I defend against the Parry of Septime?
Standard counters include: Counter-parry / Distance management / Stop-hit.
What are the variants of the Parry of Septime?
Common variants: Direct parry of septime; Indirect parry of septime; Compound parry of septime.
How effective is the Parry of Septime in competition?
Used in FIE international fencing competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Parry of Septime?
Top errors to watch for: Over-extending / Telegraphing the action / Poor recovery.
What are other names for the Parry of Septime?
The Parry of Septime is also known as Seputimu, Septime, Parry 7, Seventh Parry, Parade de Septime.