In this program, students will progress through a series of levels before graduating. In order to pass from one level to the next, the student must meet several requirements. After meeting all of these requirements, the student must give a demonstration of the physical lessons learned at their current level. If this demonstration is satisfactory, the student will be advanced. If not, they will be given time to practice and give the demonstration again in the future.
All students begin as a Level 1 novice.
To progress to Level 2 Novice, these requirements must be met:o Attend 4 Classes
o Create a brown tunic and create or acquire black pants
o Pass the Amtgard Overview quiz
o Pass the Kingdoms Overview quiz
o Successfully demonstrate proficiency with the Short Sword
The student will need to demonstrate the following
- Basic Combat Stance
- Basic movement
- Sword Grips
- 4 Basic Strikes
- 4 Basic Blocks
- Wrap Shots
- Defensive and Offensive Riposte
- Thrusting
- Two, different, 2-strike attack combinations.
To progress to Level 3 Novice, these requirements must be met:o Attend a total of 8 Classes
o Create a shield
o Pass the Dragonspine Overview quiz
o Pass the Astral Winds history quiz
o Attend a special event (Award Ceremony, Festival, Faire, etc)
o Successfully demonstrate proficiency with Florentine (2 Shorts swords)
The student will need to demonstrate the following
- Three different Florentine stances
- 4 basic strikes with each hand
- 4 basic blockes with each hand
- Block / Strike combination
- Double taps
- Offensive approaches
- Defensive range control
- Two, different, 3-Hit strike combinations utilizing both swords.
- Two, different, 2-strike attack combinations.
Upon reaching level 3, students are allowed to use 2 swords when sparring and ditching.
To progress to Level 4 Novice, these requirements must be met:o Attend a total of 12 Classes
o Create a polearm
o Pass the Amtgard Rulebook test "A"
o Pass the Amtgard Rulebook test "B"
o Successfully demonstrate proficiency with Sword and Shield
The student will need to demonstrate the following
- Offensive and Defensive shield stances
- 4 Basic Strikes
- 4 Deep-wrap shots
- Defensive strikes
- Wounded leg defense
- Two, different, 2-strike attack combinations.
Upon reaching level 4, students are allowed to use shields when sparring and ditching.
To progress to Level 5 Novice, these requirements must be met:o Attend a total of 16 Classes
o Create a non-sword weapon (Axe, Hammer, etc)
o Create class equipment for a fighting class from the rulebook.
o Pass the Reeve's Test
o Successfully demonstrate proficiency with the Polearm
The student will need to demonstrate the following
- The 5 basic polearm stances
- 6 Basic Strikes
- Short Thrusts, Long thrusts and Lunges
- Polearm wrap shots
- 2 different, 2-strike combinations.
- Defensive maneuvers.
Upon reaching level 5, students are allowed to use polearms when sparring and ditching and are allowed to participate in Full Class Battle Games utilizing one of the rulebook classes.
To progress to Level 6 Novice, these requirements must be met:o Attend a total of 20 Classes
o Create a flail
o Pass the Corpora test
o Participate in 2 jugging matches
o Participate in 2 full class battles as a fighting class of the student's choice.
o Successfully repeat the Short Sword demonstration
o Successfully repeat the Florentine demonstration
o Successfully repeat the Sword and Shield demonstration
o Successfully repeat the Polearm demonstration
Upon reaching 6th level, students will have graduated from the school and are no longer required to wear the Novice uniform and may wear garb in their own colors.
