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Parry

There are 3 types of parrying.

 

The first is a static block in which you only block a strike from your opponent, leaving yourself no cut, only escape is to retreat. This is the one the Masters said not to do.

 

The second is to displace your opponents cut with a cut (Long edge Over, Wrath, and Bent), then perform a cut, slice, or stab.

 

The third is the Best, and is praised by the Masters. When you opponent Strikes, you also strike with a displacing strike that also cuts, Such as the squinter, thwart, or glancing strikes.

Displacements only, not parry. Use the Master Strikes to both displace and strike your opponent.

Stab when he stabs. Step when he steps. Strike when he strikes. Do not parry.

Before displacing guard yourself. Place yourself for advantage.

Displacements

Four Displacements for use against the four guards

Over: (long edge) against fool, and everything that comes from

above, below, and from both sides.

Thwart: (short edge) Against Roof and high strikes

Squinter(Glancing): (short edge) against plow, good to use against strikes

and stabs from below.

Bent: Against Ox, from above and from Barrier.

 

Andreas also says that specific Guards break Strikes. These mirror the Strikes breaking Guards

 

Fool breaks Over

Roof breaks Thwart

Plow breaks Glancing

Ox breaks Bent

 

The Over strike impairs all other strikes as in the wrath, middle, high traverse, or under strikes. Close to his strikes and engage strongly on his sword (with your strong to his weak) and strike with the end of the blade, before he can displace.  As the Oberhau blocks all secondary strikes down from above, so will it drive off all from the Wrath or Upper Traverse strike, and thus it also takes the Under with strong placing, and be there with help from stepping out with the Oberhau above one's self.

 

Of the first shall you now know, that the Oberhau impairs all other strikes as in the Wrath, Middle or High Traverse, and Under Strike, from above it blocks down below you, from this know when to spring against his strikes, and close to his strikes which he releases with strength so that you then rightly engage, his weapon thus weakened that you then can strike another full to his body before he can rightly take it. As the Oberhau blocks all secondary strikes down from above, so will it drive off all from the Wrath or Upper Traverse strike, and thus it also takes the Under with strong placing, and be there with help from stepping out with the Oberhau above one's self.

When however two similar strikes come together thus with your orderly stepping, in that you step a little before or after the other, so that it's placed in an eye blink, then you bring up your displacement. This displacement is brought on with the principal and direct strikes, the other displacement however is when you closely displace and step, then hit with the countering strikes, as in the Glance, Slide, Crown and Traverse strikes, and with them then complete, thus have you heard above about clearing every strike.

Then such countering strikes are taken onward from there as foundations, so that with close displacement comes hitting. However, because I should not backtrack, but direct you to more understanding and knowledge, I will give an example of displacing with the Zwerchhau.

Place yourself into the Wrathful Guard, if you are struck from above, then step with the right foot forward against your opponent's side, and strike with a traverse to that side, short cut a high traverse to close in with it, thus you take his strike onto the strong of your blade, catching it near your quillons and, with the farther end of your sword, hit his left ear, then you have closely displaced and hit with a second.

The other strikes, which still can be hit with further displacement, as in with the Short Strike and missing etc. will not really be used in fencing, especially since only accident or chance will let it happen. Trying to fence with them and force them to happen is too dangerous.

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