Hope Lesson Three: Parry in Tierce vs. Thrust
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Parry of TierceยทKeith Myers
Translation: Third parry
Range & classification
Category
Strike & defenceLocksClose rangeFighting multiple people
Distance
CloseMiddleLong
Overview
The Parry of Tierce deflects attacks directed to the outside high line by moving the blade to the outside with the hand in pronation. [1] Tierce protects the area outside the sword arm โ the flank and outside shoulder. [1] Combined with quarte, it forms the basic inside-outside defensive framework of fencing. [1]
TierceParry 3Third ParryParade de Tierce
History & Origin
Country of originยท shown in random order
- FranceFencing, Foil, รpรฉe
- ItalyFencing, Foil, Sabre
- HungarySabre
Effectiveness
The Parry of Tierce 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 โ Parry of Tierce-specific fencing mechanics
Joints Involved โ Arm (extension/rotation), wrist (angulation), legs (lunge drive)
Force Vector โ Technique-specific
Leverage Principle โ Forte-to-foible blade leverage and body mechanics
Position & Entry
From en garde โ Execute the parry of tierce
From engagement โ Transition into parry of tierce
Variants
Direct parry of tierce
Indirect parry of tierce
Compound parry of tierce
Videos
Sabre parry tierce feint riposte head flank
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Parry of TierceยทBeth Speedy
FIE Coaching Academy 2017
04 parries of tierce - Sabre fencing review lesson 03 06 2020
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Parry of TierceยทThe Old Sword Club
how to form the parries of tierce. This lesson is part of a series teaching how to fence in the method common in late 1โฆ
06 reposting tierce thrust Thrusting sabre livesteam 20 05 2020
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Parry of TierceยทThe Old Sword Club
How to repost with thrusts from the parry of tierce. If you want more livestream lessons check out our facebook page atโฆ
Hope Lesson Three: Parry in Tierce vs. Cut
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Parry of TierceยทKeith Myers
Parry seconde tierce reposted all
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Parry of TierceยทBeth Speedy
FIE coaching course 2017
Parry tierce riposte, with or without step back
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Parry of TierceยทBeth Speedy
FIE coaching Course 2017
Piano seben exercise des tierces et des quartes## secret des maestros pour amรฉliorer son jeux
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Parry of TierceยทROBERT OKHE
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8 videosWhat Instructors Say
The parry of tierce is a defensive fencing technique that positions the blade to protect against attacks in the upper-outside line. Carlo Parisi emphasizes the mechanical complexity of executing ripostes from tierce, particularly for shorter fencers who may find it easier to riposte beneath the opponent's blade rather than above it. He stresses the importance of maintaining proper distance and managing the transition from late to mid-distance contact while keeping the opponent's sword on the outside. Beth Speedy provides practical instruction on tierce parry execution, noting that the technique must constitute a genuine parry rather than merely covering an area defensively. She emphasizes the importance of coordinated leg and hand movement during the parry, advocating for repetitive drills to develop proper mechanics. Speedy also addresses the application of tierce parries in combination with ripostes and feints, emphasizing that the timing and distance control are criticalโthe riposte should be executed as a single fluid movement when quality contact is established with the opponent's blade. Both instructors agree that tierce requires disciplined technical practice and situational awareness regarding distance and opponent positioning.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Carlo Parisi โ Riposte from the parry of tierce for a short fencer: Detailed analysis of riposte mechanics from tierce, addressing challenges for shorter fencers and the management of blade contact transitions during ripostes
- Beth Speedy โ Parry tierce riposte, with or without step back: Practical instruction on tierce parry mechanics, coordinated movement drills, and the distinction between genuine parries and mere defensive coverage
- Beth Speedy โ Sabre parry tierce feint riposte head flank: Application of tierce parries in combination techniques, emphasizing timing, distance control, and the integration of ripostes as single coordinated movements
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
Beginner
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
โ Unified MMA โ Legal defensive technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFWBC/Boxing โ Legal โ blocking and evasion are core boxing skills {srcโ WBC Rules of Boxing}
โ WKF โ Legal โ blocking is a fundamental karate skill
WKF Competition Rules 2024PDFKyokushin โ Legal {srcโ IKO Kyokushin Tournament Rules}
โ WT โ Legal
WT Competition Rules 2024PDFโ WAKO โ Legal
WAKO Competition RulesPDFK-1/GLORY โ Legal {srcโ K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
โ IFMA โ Legal
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDFTraining Notes
โPractise with a partner in controlled conditions (Pollock et al., 1902)
โFocus on economy of motion
โDevelop blade sentiment through slow-speed drills
Common Mistakes
!Over-extending
!Telegraphing the action
!Poor recovery
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1En garde โ Preparation โ Parry of Tierce โ 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 tierce protects the outside line with the blade in pronation (palm down). More commonly used in รฉpรฉe and sabre than in foil. (Fencing technique manuals)
Frequently Asked Questions
What angle should my sword be at when performing a parry of tierce?
Your sword should be positioned at about 45 degrees. This angle prevents your opponent from cutting over your guard while allowing their sword to hit your blade and travel down into your shell, where they become trapped and you gain control.
How should I position my hand and tip in tierce?
Keep your hand on one side of your body and your tip on the other side, crossing your body. This positioning is important not just for parries but also for cuts, and thinking of cuts as 'parrying forwards aggressively' reinforces this principle.
When parrying a heavy sword, should I use a wider or narrower parry?
When parrying against a heavier weapon, a wider parry may be slightly safer and offer bigger advantages. However, proper parrying relies on skeletal alignment and structure rather than muscular force, so the width matters less than maintaining good biomechanical positioning.
Should I take my opponent's attack on my edge or flat?
You want to take the impact on your edge because it protects your hand better than taking it on the flat of your blade.
How does the Parry of Tierce work?
The Parry of Tierce deflects attacks directed to the outside high line by moving the blade to the outside with the hand in pronation. Tierce protects the area outside the sword arm โ the flank and outside shoulder.
Where does the Parry of Tierce come from?
The Parry of Tierce 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 Tierce legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal โ Legal defensive technique; WBC/Boxing: legal โ Legal โ blocking and evasion are core boxing skills; WKF: legal โ Legal โ blocking is a fundamental karate skill; Kyokushin: legal โ Legal; WT: legal โ Legal; WAKO: legal โ Legal; K: legal โ 1/GLORY โ Legal; IFMA: legal โ Legal
How dangerous is the Parry of Tierce?
Danger rating 1/10. Defensive parrying technique
How do I set up the Parry of Tierce?
The standard setup chain: En garde โ Preparation โ Parry of Tierce โ Recovery.
How do I defend against the Parry of Tierce?
Standard counters include: Counter-parry / Distance management / Stop-hit.
What are the variants of the Parry of Tierce?
Common variants: Direct parry of tierce; Indirect parry of tierce; Compound parry of tierce.
How effective is the Parry of Tierce in competition?
Used in FIE international fencing competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Parry of Tierce?
Top errors to watch for: Over-extending / Telegraphing the action / Poor recovery.
What are other names for the Parry of Tierce?
The Parry of Tierce is also known as Tierusu, Tierce, Parry 3, Third Parry, Parade de Tierce.