Fencing Tip of the Week
July 2008 [14]
Parry Octave (8)
Definition; A defensive action, blocking the blade in low outside plane, hand supinated, forearm (and thus) tip below the hand.
Intent: Block an attack into low line towards leading leg / hip.
Practice: Start En Guard in position 6, sweep blade inside, down and out, stopping in alignment with outside of thigh (a ‘ C ‘ shape for right hander’s). In front of a mirror, draw a ‘ C ’ from top to bottom.
Tip: keep the elbow down and slightly ‘tucked’ in this will result in a stronger forearm block and reduce larger movements from occurring.