Knights

The knight’s test is a challenge one must pass in order to gain the status of “knight.” Only an individual with the capacity, ability, and willingness to assume the training of others can become a knight. There are multiple levels of knight’s status, noted with the same colors as the ranks above, but their responsibilities are the same. In order to earn this responsibility, one must have reached the third rank of brown, be willing to teach and mentor other fighters, and get leadership approval before attempting the test. The first test is a teaching test. Being able to properly instruct and correct on the following topics awards the tester a silver knot.

Knight’s Teaching Test Criteria

People taking the Knight’s Teaching Test will need to correctly teach a field leader the following curriculum with special emphasis placed on the details listed. The field leader will make all of the necessary mistakes and the tester should appropriately correct each item. For the sake of context, the tester should act as if the field leader is a White Sash preparing to test to yellow. If the tester fails a section they may continue with the test and only need to repeat failed sections. After a failed test, someone may attempt again in four weeks.

Abridged Fighting Rules

●       Can read abridged fighting rules but should be able to answer any clarifying questions as seen fit to ask by field leader

Normal Stance

●       Top hand within thumbs reach of the tsuba

●       Bottom hand at bottom or overhanging with wrapped pinky finger

●       Front foot pointed at opponent

●       Back foot heel on line created by front foot shoulder width apart between 45 and 90 degrees

●       Sword in line with opponent

One Arm Stance

●       Pros and cons of hand placement

●       Sword positioning vertical advantages

Basic Blocks and Strikes

●       Correct hand & foot locations (same as normal stance)

●       Blocking transition from 2 to 3 goes clockwise (from blockers perspective) through the ready position

●       Blocking transition from 3 to 4 goes clockwise (from blockers perspective) pushing out

●       Attacks are aimed at proper spots and will not hit head or neck with 4 & 5

●       Close enough shots would actually hit opponent

●       Right and left-handed

The One Hundred

●       Correct hand placement

●       Correct proper pacing

●       Attacker counting and defender calling hits out loud

●       Correct retreating in excess

●       Correct repetitious shots in excess

Line Drills

●       Kiai with attacks and all block calls

●       Forwards, step forwards, backs, and step backs

●       High, middle, and low strikes

●       High, middle, and low blocks

●       Standing, short, and long thrusts with foot resets on lunges

●       Detect difference between low strike and low block

●       Low blocks push from inside to outside

The Eight

●       Kiai in proper place

●       Swinging and stepping are in sync

●       Eighth step two separate sword motions (step, position, turn, cut)

●       Diagonals at 45-degree angles

Sutras 1-7 Meanings

●       One

o   Always aim to finish the battle fully intact

o   Actively avoid temptation

●       Two

o   Do not cheat

o   Be trustworthy with what you say

●       Three

o   Learn from your mistakes and failures

●       Four

o   Practice to improve

●       Five

o   Be serious about serious things

●       Six

o   Only do what has a purpose

o   Prioritize the important things

●       Seven

o   You must do something to accomplish anything

The knight is then able to take on an apprentice of a lower rank who will receive direct tutoring. The apprentice will still learn from other sources, but it is the knight’s responsibility to ensure that their apprentice learns all the appropriate material, and nothing is missed or overlooked. When testing occurs, the knight will have input on determining when the apprentice is ready to test. Leadership approval is required before selecting an apprentice. Parental consent is also required if the apprentice is under 18. The knight is to train the apprentice until the apprentice tests one rank higher. At that time field leadership will review current field needs and assign a new apprentice. In the event that either side stops attending, they may approach the leadership to remove the pairing, but this is not a step to take lightly. It is important to fully understand the responsibility of the knight and apprentice relationship.

A knight’s added responsibilities include mentoring and training their apprentice. The knight and apprentice are expected to spend at least one extra hour training each week. This hour could be before or after the regular fighting day, or another scheduled time in the week. This means giving them tips, providing extra drills, going over tactics, and giving advice for different situations. Apprentices are not there to run errands, carry things, or get drinks. Once one becomes a knight they are then required to teach and to mentor in order to advance in rank. This is one of the reasons that taking the responsibility of a knight should not be taken lightly. In the event that no suitable apprentice can be found, aiding in the teaching and development of the group as a whole will suffice for this prerequisite.

It is important for an apprentice to have the dedication and drive to want extra training. Know that by becoming an apprentice there are increased expectations, however training with a knight will help an apprentice advance more quickly. Before a fighter seeks to become an apprentice, they must be sure that the time and the willingness to follow through with the commitment are there. A knight can influence when their apprentice is ready for testing and if an apprentice does not follow the knight’s instruction, it is reasonable for the knight to not let the apprentice test. If a knight is making unreasonable demands, notify group leadership immediately, this will not affect progress or advancement.

Once someone has become a knight, they may test up to the rank below their own. There are two versions of the test, one with two opponents, and one with three. The tester may select either version if the correct number of people are available.

The three-person test requires the tester to beat three people of the same rank at the same time. In the event that only two fighters of the desired rank are able to be found, a single higher rank may be used to conduct the test. For the sake of balance, the higher rank will fight to first blood, meaning any wound will result in death. The tester starts at the center of the area. Each opponent has their back to the tester and stands equally spaced surrounding them (120 degrees) and approximately 10 yards away. The tester must defeat all three individuals without dying.

The two-person test requires the tester to beat two people of the same rank at the same time, twice with the tester’s wounds carrying over from the first fight into the second. Between the first and second round, the tester heals one limb, but only if they were able to survive the fight. The opponents start together next to a small objective the tester must occupy for five seconds in order to win the round.

The tester gets three attempts to pass either method and may not switch ranks after a level is chosen. The knight’s test can only take place during normal testing cycles. When requesting a knight’s test ensure the test instructor has at least two weeks of notice of what rank is desired to attempt, so that proper preparations can be made. Passing either version of the test earns the tester a knot in the color of the test. There is no distinction between different knight ranks besides the accomplishment of completing the test.