Ranking & Certification System
Ring of Steel certifications apply within our own organization. Members are welcome to certify with the SAFD, however it is not required. Because our requirements are more stringent than the SAFD's, our certifications do not expire (vs. a three-year expiration) and we also do not accept SAFD certifications in lieu of or as credit toward our own. Certifications are not mandatory for any member and exist as an acknowledgement of skill for anyone seeking to become a dedicated theatrical combatant.
There are three possible certifications in any given weapon: Performer, Advisor, and Choreographer.
| Performer | Person is able to execute a fight with scene safely and effectively. Scene must be performed in front of a hostile audience (meaning not Ring of Steel members) and recorded for critique. Certificate is awarded by Maestro or a Journeyman. |
| Advisor | Person is able to teach a fight to at least one other member- candidate may not be one of the fighters, but one of the fighters may already know the fight. Effectively instructing someone in stock fight choreography indicates a sound knowledge of technique in the chosen weapon as well as the motivations behind the choreography. Certificate is awarded if the performer(s) earns their performance certificate. Candidate must already have a performance certificate in the chosen weapon form. |
| Choreographer | Person is able to create original choreography for a weapon form which employs safe technique and effective storytelling or subtext. Candidate may be one of the fighters. Both fighters must be either certified performers or highly experienced in the weapons form. The fight must be performed for Maestro and the Ring of Steel. Certificate is awarded by Maestro if choreography demonstrates safety, historical accuracy, and awareness of story/subtext of the scene. |
Our ranking system is based on attendance credits and certifications. Rankings are purely formal and, like certifications, exist as an acknowledgement of skills learned and time given to the organization. Note that attendance credits are earned by attending events as well as rehearsals.
| Maestro | "There can be only one." |
| Journeyman | Highest rank achievable within the organization. Minimum 650 attendance credits (at least two years of training), 4 Performer certifications, 3 Advisor, 2 choreographer, practical exam**, written exam*. By invitation only. |
| Mentor | Minimum 500 attendance credits, 3 Performer certifications, 2 Advisor, written exam* |
| Advanced Scholar | Minimum 350 attendance credits, 2 Performer ceritifcations, written exam* |
| Scholar | Minimum 200 attendance credits, 1 Performer certification |
| Apprentice | Minimum 100 attendance credits. |
| Initiate | People who have just started. |
*Written exam- a written test on topics including parts of a sword, safety, and technique. With the exception of Journeyman, this test is considered somewhat optional and can be taken after a member has achieved a rank which include the test as a prerequisite.
**Practical exam- a demonstration of technique on rapier and rapier & dagger. This test may be taken at any time and is usually only administered by request. Members with little or no &dagger experience can opt out of that section. Candidates for Journeyman are required to achieve a perfect score in all parts of the test.
