5. Lower right hand to height of the right breast, with foil directed outward toward opponent at the height of her eyes. Drop the left elbow, curving the hand over the left shoulder.
6. Bend the legs, separating them at the knees.
7. Advance the right foot in a direct line from the left heel to opponent. The right knee should be bent over the right foot, both feet should be flat on the floor.
After these seven movements have been practised and the position on guard reached quickly and accurately, the fencer may take up more advanced work. The natural instinct is to defend oneself, so a scientific means of defense is taught. Any movement that turns away an opponent’s foil is called a parry. As the fencing jacket is divided into different lines of engagement, there is a set parry for each. In all parries, it is important to turn the point of the opponent’s foil away from your body. Parries are divided into two main classes, simple and counter. The following are the simple parries:
The Parry of Quarte.
Using the fingers and wrist, the foil is carried across body from right to left, turning the point of opponent’s foil away from the attack; the right forearm protects the left side, the elbow is close at side and in a line with the hip bone; the tip of foil points up; the foil is held in supination.
The Parry of Sixte.
The foil moves from left to right, protecting the right side. The hand is held in supination.
The Parry of Septime.
The hand is moved as in quarte; the hand is held in supination; the point is dropped to the waistline by a semi-circular movement outward.