STEEL RING RANKING STRUCTURE
Initiate
Anyone who comes to class and picks up a sword holds the rank of Initiate. An Initiate is introduced to the basics of German longsword.
Novice
Students who have completed the initiate training and passed the Novice exam. A novice will dive deeper into the teachings of the German longsword in anticipation of reaching the rank of Scholar.
Scholar
Scholars are mainly working in the Kunst des Fechtens (Art of Combat) with Longsword, and these fighters are learning and reinforcing the fundamentals of what we are study. These students are working hard and learning to become the best version of HEMA fencers that they can to achieve the rank of Free-Scholar. At Scholar level the primary focus in German longsword, but a student can begin to explore other weapon systems at the permission or invitation of an instructor.
Free Scholar
This rank holds an obligation to both hone one’s own skills and also help others in their reach for the knowledge and techniques that make good fencers. Free Scholar is a coaching rank, and they help teach and train the Initiates, Novices and Scholars in KDF skills and techniques.
Free Scholar Adept
This rank is adjacent to Free Scholar denoting an expertise and scholarship in a weapon system beyond longsword. Six weeks of curriculum for the chosen weapon system must be created by the Free Scholar and taught to the Scholar and Free Scholar level students to achieve this rank.
Anyone who comes to class and picks up a sword holds the rank of Initiate. An Initiate is introduced to the basics of German longsword.
Novice
Students who have completed the initiate training and passed the Novice exam. A novice will dive deeper into the teachings of the German longsword in anticipation of reaching the rank of Scholar.
Scholar
Scholars are mainly working in the Kunst des Fechtens (Art of Combat) with Longsword, and these fighters are learning and reinforcing the fundamentals of what we are study. These students are working hard and learning to become the best version of HEMA fencers that they can to achieve the rank of Free-Scholar. At Scholar level the primary focus in German longsword, but a student can begin to explore other weapon systems at the permission or invitation of an instructor.
Free Scholar
This rank holds an obligation to both hone one’s own skills and also help others in their reach for the knowledge and techniques that make good fencers. Free Scholar is a coaching rank, and they help teach and train the Initiates, Novices and Scholars in KDF skills and techniques.
Free Scholar Adept
This rank is adjacent to Free Scholar denoting an expertise and scholarship in a weapon system beyond longsword. Six weeks of curriculum for the chosen weapon system must be created by the Free Scholar and taught to the Scholar and Free Scholar level students to achieve this rank.
Moving up in rank requires passing a test.
The test includes knowledge, demonstration, and prize fight.
Testing is conducted each month, as needed, on the last Tuesday of the month.
An especially accomplished Free Scholar student may be invited to advance beyond the rank of Free Scholar at the determination of Steel Ring Academy leadership.
