Levels of Swordsmanship in the Western Circle of Sword Fighters GUEST -   Be interviewed by a Kaiden Watch 2 classes, then participate in two classes consecutively Have a knowledge of the Western Circle as obtained from this website Sign insurance waiver   Level 1: TRAINEE -   All current/active students training towards L2 OSC (one solid color) Sword Book (own one) WCoS Etiquette   Level 2: GREEN BRAID - Swordsman -   Resting position Defensive stance Basic cuts Basic blocks Cutting pattern 1 7 practiced moves The Six Traditions The Three Types of Moves The Three Rules of Swordsmanship 200 logged battles At least 3 months of consecutive training Own a bokken TOSC (true one solid color) Sword book (handwritten log & tome) Striding and Leaping* Non-weapon combat (1 session) 1 WCoS fighting event or equivalent * Striding and Leaping is optional (Kaiden's discretion) ** Upon becoming L2, Students must wear dalmater for class, may wear a WCoS shirt, and may begin to learn to marshal **   Level 3: WHITE ROPE - Trained Swordsman -   Warrior stance Basic strikes Cutting pattern 2 12 practiced moves Kata Ich 500 logged battles Marshaling Combat movement Sword book (accurate log) Dagger fighting One story Dodging 1 Balance 1 Armor (Body, helmet & gloves) 3 WCoS fighting events Non-weapon combat (2 sessions) ** Upon reaching L3, White ropes have the ability to fight in other circles with Kaiden's permission, they may begin L0 live steel training, and may be able to transfer to an electronic (typed) sword book**   Level 4: RED ROPE - Skilled Swordsman -   Jo-Dan stance Chop cuts Advanced blocks 15 practiced moves The 13th move Kata Ni Refined strikes 1 Cutting 1 1000 logged battles Altered terrain combat All weather fighting Control Endurance Dagger throwing (1 session with Kaiden) Parrying-ability to teach it Second weapon training (1 session) Dodging 2 Balance 2 Sword making Scenario combat Live steel sword (the possession of) 5 WCoS fighting events Non-weapon combat (10 Total hours of training) The 6th tradition - provide Sanctuary(optional) ** Upon reaching L4, swordmen have The ability to fight Live Steel, strike to the hands (once trained) and fight in other circles at their own discretion. They may also take the Black Braid Requirements**   Level 5: THE CRIMSON CHAIN (RED ROPE II) - Proficient Swordsman - RED RING - Sword Dancer - (Black Belt Equivalent)   Resting Death Stance Draw Cuts 6 Deflections 20 practiced moves Refined strikes 2 Cutting pattern 3 1,500 logged battles The 20 Minute Non-stop Battle Cutting 2 Non-weapon combat (20 Total hours) Proficiencies (You must meet 2 of the following 5 proficiencies): Sword Dancing - skilled in the art of the circle - The Silent Sword, The Death Dance, The Solo Dance. Field Medicine - skilled in the art of the healer - obtain First Aid certification or higher, 1 medical training session with Kaiden, be assigned medical officer for 1 event, and be in the possession of a full medical kit. Staff Fighting - skilled in the art of the stave - defensive stance, ten strikes, non-linear blocks, cutting pattern 1 against sword, 5 moves, 50 matches. Steel Combat - skilled in the art of steel - be a L3 steel qualified swordsman. The Complete Blade - skilled in the art of the second sword - must relearn all requirements up to White Rope with an approved alternative weapon style. ** Upon reaching L5, the swordman may now begin to thrust to the face, once trained. They may be awarded the rank of full Kaiden by the Head Kaiden and can take the Black Chain requirements (only after completing the Black Braid). Students may also be tested for their Black Belt (belt and certificate) based on their Kaiden's and testing council's discretion. Proficiencies are tested as part of the overall L5 test. **   Level 6: SILVER CHAIN - Advanced Swordsman - SILVER RING - Advanced Sword Dancer -   Battle stance Expert blocks 9 Deflections Cutting Pattern 4 - a pattern of the student's design Kata San 25 practiced moves 2,000 logged battles 100 melees Must be able to fight in a 2nd style Chess Enhanced control (all types of sparring) Run one day of fighting Balance 3 Dodging 3 Battle pack or medical kit Master the maze Full armor (body, shins, elbows, bracers, gorget, and upper arm protection) Non-weapon combat (30 total hours) The Journey (12 mile hike with Kaiden) Multi-competition parry - ability to teach it Close quarters combat (100 matches) 7 WCoS fighting events ** Upon reaching L6, the swordsman may target all areas of the body, except the base of the skull (which can never be targeted by any swordsman). Silver Chains have the ability to take the Black Ring requirements (but only after completely the Black Braid and the Black Chain previously) **   Level 7: COPPER CHAIN - Expert swordsman - COPPER RING - Expert Sword Dancer -   Advanced Stance Short Circle Cuts 30 practiced moves 3,000 logged battles Complete four of the five proficiencies Cathan (100 clean matches) Strategy Balance 4 (20 minutes on the rope) Live Steel rank of L4 Kata Shi (Kata of the student's design) Advanced night skill Refined Strikes 3 Honor Dress (good armor) Blind Training (10 hours, 25 battles, 1 full day blindfolded, Balance 1) Teaching experience (20 hours or 8 classes) Cutting (5 hours) Advanced response training Multi-competition (50 battles) Scenario command Non-weapon combat (40 Total hours) Multi-style Expert Cutting The Retreat and The Duel 10 WCoS fighting events