Classical Fencing Skills Development Program
The Academy offers a Skills Development Program for use by its Professional Members. The program provides a structured approach to the development of fencing skills and knowledge by students, providing the student benchmarks for progression and the instructor a framework for both lesson planning and tracking progress. Each rank is supported by skills evaluation sheet, handout materials, a written test, certificate, and patch. Instructors interested in using such a system are encouraged to contact the Academy for details.
The 9 skill levels for Classical Foil are shown in the table below. The skill level scheme for Epee and Sabre generally parallel the Foil table with differences in the specific skills and are included in the Academy’s Program Manual.
CLASSICAL FOIL STUDENT RANK REQUIREMENTS edition 2015-05-20
| Rank | Skills | Knowledge | Bouts | Officiating | Evaluation |
| 1 | SaluteComing to On GuardStraight ThrustFootworkDistance | Parts of weapon, piste dimensions, target area, customs, right of way, basic history | WrittenPractical | ||
| 2 | EngagementChange of EngagementSimple attacksLateral ParriesRipostes | Weapon dimensions, piste penalties, lines, how right of way is lost, distances, simple attacks and parries, riposte, inspecting equipment | 20 | WrittenPractical | |
| 3 | Compound AttacksSemi-circular ParriesCircular Parries | Weapon types, safety items to avoid, ground gained on piste, customs in the salle, Medieval fencing, compound attacks, direction of parries, simple footwork, types of competition, time periods and touches | 40 | WrittenPractical | |
| 4 | Successive ParriesIndirect RipostesCounter-ripostesChange Parries | safety in lessons, position on piste, Renaissance fencing, opening and closing distance, preparation, composed parries, indirect counterriposte, distance control, pool competitions, timing and scoring, basic tactics, rules on method of fencing | 60 | WrittenPractical | |
| 5 | Takings of the BladeCeding Parries | safety in competition, prize fights, takings of the blade, ceding parries, advanced footwork, elimination competitions, judging, reconnaissance, irregular action | 100 | Judging test | WrittenPractical |
| 6 | Attacks on the BladeTac-au-tac Parries | 1700s fencing, attacks on the blade, tac-au-tac parries, match competition, directing, tactical systems | 250 | President of the Jury test | WrittenOralPractical |
| 7 | RemiseRedoubleReprise | customs in meets, 1800s fencing, renewed attacks, distance taken in parries, ladder competition. seeding, using time | 400 | Preside for 100 bouts | WrittenOralPractical |
| 8 | Multi-part Compound AttacksStop Hit and Time Hit | academical fencing, classical period history, counterattacks, parrying final action, strategy | 600 | Preside for 200 bouts | WrittenOralPractical |
| 9 | Second IntentionCountertimeFeint in TempoFlying Parries | History of fencing masters, countertime | 800 | Preside for 300 bouts | WrittenOralPractical |
CLASSICAL FENCING RANK 2
CLASSICAL FENCING RANK 3
CLASSICAL FENCING RANK 4
