Introduction to Beginners Epee - Part III. Defence
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Septime Parry·OSM Fencing
Introduction to Fencing: Beginners Epee (controlling distance and making parries in inside, outside, and low lines: parr…
Septime Parry
Genusセプティム受け(Seputimu Uke)
HybridTranslation: septime parry
Overview
The Septime Parry (7th parry) defends the low inside line by dropping the blade downward and to the inside, with the point lower than the hand and the blade angled to deflect attacks directed at the lower torso on the non-weapon side. [1] Septime covers the low-line attacks that pass under the arm, protecting the belly and lower ribs. [1],[2] The septime parry is important against opponents who use low-line feints and attacks to draw the defender's blade high before attacking below. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Septime was established as part of the classical eight-parry system in European fencing tradition. [1]
Competition Record
Septime parries are used in Olympic épée and foil to defend low-line attacks. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Cutting, thrusting, or striking with a bladed weapon — edge alignment and trajectory determine cutting effectiveness
Joints Involved — Wrists (edge alignment and rotation), elbows (extension for thrusts, chambering for cuts), shoulders (arc of the cut), hips (power generation)
Force Vector — Varies — downward diagonal cut (kesa-giri), horizontal cut (yoko-giri), thrust (tsuki), or rising cut (kiri-age)
Weapon Mechanic — Edge alignment (hasuji) is critical — the blade must travel along its cutting plane for effective cuts
Position & Entry
From en garde position — Establish distance, extend the blade toward the target with a lunge or advance-lunge, recover to guard
As riposte (counter-attack) — Parry the opponent's attack and immediately riposte with a thrust or cut to the exposed target
From distance (preparation) — Use blade work (beats, feints, engagements) to create an opening before the final attack
Variants
Simple attack — single blade action (disengage, beat, or direct) to score
Compound attack — multiple blade actions (feint then disengage) to create an opening
Riposte — immediate counter after a successful parry
Counter-attack — attacking into the opponent's attack with priority or right-of-way
Videos
Fencing 101: Skills to Win: Circular 6, Parry 5 & Riposte, The Stop Cut
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Septime Parry·RecSport Education
This video covers the circular 6 parry, and the riposte from a parry 5 position, and a version of the stop thrust I lear…
Parry 5: Why and How
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Septime Parry·Cyrano's Place
Explanation and demonstration of the Parry 5, an exoteric parry that is great for shorter fencers. And, how taller fence…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The septime parry is a high-line parry executed by dropping the point and lifting the opponent's blade upward and over the head, positioning the defender's hand above the head with the tip angled toward the opponent. Cyrano's Place emphasizes the parry's tactical value for shorter fencers facing taller opponents, noting that it creates unpredictability compared to more common parries like four or six, as opponents typically anticipate those defenses and can drop their point to evade. The parry five is executed by lifting the attacking blade vertically while rotating the hand to angle the point inward, then extending into a riposte. RecSport Education describes the septime as a fairly difficult and risky maneuver best practiced regularly, particularly noting caution in épée where the head is a valid target. Execution involves anticipating the attacker's lunge and performing a reverse lunge or diving under the opponent's blade while bringing the blade arm above the head. Both Cyrano's Place and RecSport Education recommend drilling the technique extensively with targets, advances, and lunges to develop consistency. Cyrano's Place suggests using the parry five selectively rather than frequently, while RecSport Education stresses regular practice if employing it in bouts. The technique is less commonly taught in OSM Fencing's épée instruction, which focuses on fundamental parries like four, six, and two.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Cyrano's Place — Parry 5: Why and How: Detailed mechanical execution (drop point, lift blade over head, rotate hand, extend riposte) and tactical application for shorter fencers; emphasizes unpredictability advantage; provides drilling methodology including target practice, advances, and lunges.
- RecSport Education — Fencing 101: Skills to Win: Circular 6, Parry 5 & Riposte, The Stop Cut: Describes septime as difficult and risky; emphasizes reverse lunge or diving under opponent's blade while bringing arm above head; warns of épée head-target vulnerability; stresses need for regular practice in bouts.
- OSM Fencing — Introduction to Beginners Epee - Part III. Defence: Minimal coverage of septime; focuses on fundamental parries (four, six, two) and distance control as primary defensive methods in épée rather than high-line specialized parries.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
2
Low2/10
Modern sport fencing uses blunted weapons and full protective gear; injury rate ~2.5 per 1000 exposures (Harmer 2008)
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— FIE — Legal fencing technique — governed by FIE rules for...
FIE Rules of CompetitionPDFHEMA — Legal in historical fencing competition {src— various organizations
Training Notes
✓Septime parry covers the inside low line — the blade drops and moves to the left to deflect attacks aimed at the lower inside of the torso (Evangelista, The Art and Science of Fencing, 1996)
✓Septime is the low-line complement to quarte: where quarte covers the inside high, septime covers the inside low
✓Septime execution: from en garde, the hand drops slightly and moves left with the point directed downward — the blade creates a barrier across the lower inside target
✓Low-line attacks are less common in foil than high-line attacks, but they are effective precisely because fewer fencers train low parries
✓After the septime parry, the riposte can travel upward to the chest or stay low — the opponent's recovery position determines the target
✓Septime is critical against the 'low-line' specialists: fencers who attack the lower torso and flanks require comfortable septime execution
✓The transition from quarte to septime: when the opponent disengages from the quarte parry to the low line, the blade drops to septime without moving back to centre
Common Mistakes
!Dropping the hand too low — septime should cover the low line without overextending downward
!Not training septime regularly — the low parry is often neglected; it must be comfortable and automatic
!Moving the blade too far from the body — septime should stay close to protect the torso
!Not transitioning from quarte to septime smoothly — the high-to-low transition must be fluid
!Pausing in septime without riposting — the riposte from septime should be immediate
!Using septime against high attacks — septime is specifically for the inside low line
!Not understanding septime's role in the four-parry system — it covers one of the four quadrants and must be trained equally
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Ready Position — assume the guard stance appropriate for the weapon
2Distance Control — manage spacing relative to the opponent
3Execute Technique — perform the offensive or defensive action with correct form
4Return to Guard — recover to a defensive ready position
Sources & References
Primary Source
The Art of Fencing (Luigi Barbasetti, 1932)
1BookThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Alias sources — [1] FIE Rules of Competition [2] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014) [3] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014)
2BookOn Fencing (Nadi, 1943)
Effectiveness sources — [1] The Art and Science of Fencing (Evangelista, 1996) [2] FIE technical guidelines
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
4CitationThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)
Alias sources — [1] FIE Rules of Competition [2] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014) [3] Classical Fencing (Rogers, 2014)
5CitationOn Fencing (Nadi, 1943)
Effectiveness sources — [1] The Art and Science of Fencing (Evangelista, 1996) [2] FIE technical guidelines
Community
Athletics
Requires
explosive lunge speed, finger/wrist dexterity, cardiovascular endurance
Favours
long reach (tall, long arms), fast-twitch legs
Key muscles
quadriceps (lunge), calves, forearm/finger flexors, core
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between how parries work in epee versus foil?
In epee, parries are critical for actual defense since both fencers can score simultaneous touches, whereas in foil the focus is on winning right-of-way. Because of this, epee parries need to be stronger, maintain more control, and go deeper to ensure your opponent can't land the touch (OSM Fencing).
Why should I keep my arm hidden behind my guard?
Your forearm, wrist, hand, and elbow are all valid target areas in epee. If you don't keep them camouflaged behind the guard, your opponent can hit them, and you'll have to work much harder to make effective parries in any direction (OSM Fencing).
What's a better defensive strategy than just relying on parries?
Controlling distance is the first line of defense—your opponent can't hit you if you control the distance. You can do this by using point in line while retreating or advancing to keep your opponent at a safe distance and limit their free attacking opportunities (OSM Fencing).
How does septime parry help a shorter fencer against a taller opponent?
By picking up a tall opponent's attack and taking their point over your head, you can choose your target area and finish your touch, giving you more control compared to parries like four or six where your opponent can simply drop their point to avoid you (Cyrano's Place).
How does the Septime Parry work?
The Septime Parry (7th parry) defends the low inside line by dropping the blade downward and to the inside, with the point lower than the hand and the blade angled to deflect attacks directed at the lower torso on the non-weapon side. Septime covers the low-line attacks that pass under the arm, protecting the belly and lower ribs.
Where does the Septime Parry come from?
The septime parry was codified as the seventh position in the classical system, derived from Italian fencing terminology. It has been part of the standard parry curriculum since the 18th century.
Is the Septime Parry legal in competition?
FIE: legal — Legal fencing technique — governed by FIE rules for foil, épée, and sabre; HEMA: legal — Legal in historical fencing competition
How dangerous is the Septime Parry?
Danger rating 2/10. Low — modern sport fencing uses blunted weapons and full protective gear; injury rate ~2.5 per 1000 exposures (Harmer 2008)
How do I set up the Septime Parry?
The standard setup chain: Ready Position → Distance Control → Execute Technique → Return to Guard.
How do I defend against the Septime Parry?
Standard counters include: Guard Position — return to a defensive ready stance / Distance Management — control the measure to avoid being in range / Counter-Attack — strike during the opponent's recovery or between movements.
What are the variants of the Septime Parry?
Common variants: Simple attack (single blade action (disengage, beat, or direct) to score); Compound attack (multiple blade actions (feint then disengage) to create a…); Riposte (immediate counter after a successful parry); Counter-attack (attacking into the opponent's attack with priority or rig…).
How effective is the Septime Parry in competition?
Septime parries are used in Olympic épée and foil to defend low-line attacks.
What are common mistakes when doing the Septime Parry?
Top errors to watch for: Dropping the hand too low — septime should cover the low line without overextending downward / Not training septime regularly — the low parry is often neglected; it must be comfortable and automatic / Moving the blade too far from the body — septime should stay close to protect the torso / Not transitioning from quarte to septime smoothly — the high-to-low transition must be fluid.
What are other names for the Septime Parry?
The Septime Parry is also known as Seputimu Uke, Parade de Septime, Seventh Parry, Settima.