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Sacramento Sword School Written Exams

Filed as Classical Fencing, Destreza (Spanish swordplay), Fencing, General, Historical Fencing on July 17, 2019

At the Sacramento Sword School we offer True School Destreza examinations for rank and thus far we have tested Scholars at Arms and Instructors at Arms.  The prerequisite to the practical test is a written examination scored by the maestri of the school.  In the interest of transparency and in an effort to provide others interested in the tradition insight into what we do I am sharing the Jul 11, 2019 written exams here.

The Scholars exams are noticeably easier than the Instructors exams and are also graded more leniently.

How we Grade

Each questions is worth 10 points for a total of 100 points.  The maestri will discuss scoring of questions to ensure normalization but each grading maestro assigns a final score per question based on their own judgment.  The formal grade for the exam is an average of the maestri’s assigned scores.  This exam does not count as part of the score for the practical examination.

The Exams

SCHOLAR’S EXAM 1

Questions

  1. How many counts are there in the salute practiced by the Sacramento Sword School?
  2. Name one historical author in the Spanish True School tradition.
  3. How many simple attacks are practiced in the Spanish True School?
  4. Of how many movements is a half reverse (or a half cut) composed?
  5. Name one of the three universal defenses.
  6. Which direction does the transverse step take?
  7. What is the difference between a dispositive and an executive movement?
  8. Name the fastest attack according to the Spanish True School and justify your answer.
  9. Explain the purpose of a Movement of Increase and briefly describe the execution of this action.
  10. If the adversary offers you a dispositive movement, name the universal defense you might use in that tempo and justify your answer.

SCHOLAR’S EXAM 2

Questions

  1. Where must the eyes be directed during the salute?
  2. Name one historical author in the Spanish True School tradition.
  3. How many universal defenses are there in the Spanish True School?
  4. Of how many movements is a thrust composed?
  5. Name the slowest simple attack (or simple attacks) in the Spanish True School and justify your answer.
  6. What is the orientation of the hand while in the right angle posture?
  7. What are the three tempos used in the Spanish True School?
  8. Describe the difference between a glide and a thrust by detachment.
  9. What is the imaginary line on the ground between two fencers called in the Spanish True School?
  10. Define the atajo and describe how it should change when moving closer to the adversary.

SCHOLAR’S EXAM 3

Questions

  1. Before the salute begins, while in first position, describe the position of the student’s feet.
  2. Name one historical author in the Spanish True School tradition.
  3. How many General techniques (or Generals) are practiced in the Spanish True School?
  4. Of how many movements is a full cut (or a full reverse) composed?
  5. Name three different types of thrusts.
  6. Name the fencing action which is executed when you grapple with the adversary’s hilt or sword arm.
  7. Define an attack in the propio and provide an example.
  8. Name the type of step which travels along a circular path with either foot.
  9. Detail the purpose of a Movement of Increase and briefly describe the execution of this action.
  10. If the adversary offers you a dispositive movement, name the universal defense you might use in that tempo and justify your answer.

INSTRUCTOR’S EXAM 1

Questions

  1. How many attacks exist in the Spanish True School? Name them in order and list the minimum number of movements required for each attack.
  2. Name three historical authors in the Spanish True School tradition.
  3. Name the requirements for placing an atajo.
  4. Name the timing Considerations used in the Spanish True School which may describe the timing context of an attack and provide an example of each Consideration.
  5. Define Dispositive and Executive.
  6. Name each of the General Techniques.
  7. Which of the General Techniques are half circular?
  8. Name all the movements used to compose techniques used in the Spanish True School.
  9. In order to safely execute a General technique without personal injury, name the critical item the student must observe in practice and explain why this is true.
  10. Define a Medio generally, and in your own words name and describe the three Medios which are used as a guide for setting distance in the Spanish True School.

INSTRUCTOR’S EXAM 2

Questions

  1. How many General Techniques exist in the Spanish True School? Name, describe them, and explain the difference between a formal General and an adapted General.
  2. Name three historical authors in the Spanish True School tradition.
  3. List the universal defenses in order, justify your order, discuss the distance at which each defense is most appropriate, and name two false defenses.
  4. When a thrust is delivered with a transverse step, where should the front foot be pointed?
  5. When an atajo is placed explain how changing the interior angle changes the practical effects of the atajo and provide two realistic and useful examples.
  6. Name the tempos used in the Spanish True School.
  7. Name the fencing actions used to modify the strength of the engagement between two opposing swords.
  8. Knowing the requirements to place an atajo, list three ways in which a student might break or escape the atajo by confounding these requirements.
  9. Name all of the codified steps (i.e… footwork) used in the Spanish tradition.
  10. Describe the stance of Right Angle posture highlighting features of the stance which are required for good form.

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