Novice Weapons
 Most novices should be attempting to learn how to control their weapons and use them safely just as much as they should be trying to improve their skill. Novice weapons are the basic weapons that all others stem from. When a novice can learn to fight with a weapon safely and with some proficiency they are ready to be passed. Once they reach student level they should continue to improve with these weapons and thus student level notes are present for some weapons.

Club/Bat/ Light Mace: These are the absolutely most basic weapons that we teach. Novices should learn the proper way to swing a blunt weapon in order to cause damage, learn basic offense and defense and learn to use the weapon safely. They should also learn and be able to repeat the Poughkeepsie Standard rules for blunt weapons.
Student Level: Students should be able to use clubs in pairs once they clear in two weapon fighting.

Hand Axe: This is another very simple weapon. Novices should learn how to properly swing an axe in order to do damage and learn how to use the axe in a proper offensive manner to make up for it’s lack of defense. As with all weapons, they should be able to use the axe safely.
Student Level: Students should learn to use axes in pairs and should learn how to catch other small weapons with the axe head.

Horseman’s Pick/Warhammer: These are the first weapons a novice will learn that are specifically designed to grab and twist.  Novices should learn how to use the weapon both offensively and defensively and must learn how to grab and deflect the enemy’s weapon with the head of the hammer. They must also learn how to strike an effective blow with the hammer and pick ends and should know the difference between the two weapons. They must know that armor does not protect against this weapon.

Shield: This is the first device that a novice is likely to use along with another weapon. Novices should learn how to effectively parry with a shield and how to keep that shield from interfering with the novice’s own weapon. They should also learn to properly defend their exposed leg.

Staff/Spear: There are three styles and two weapons that are covered here. The novice must learn how to use each combination effectively. Besides what is listed below the novice must learn how to use the staff/spear safely and must learn and be able to repeat the Poughkeepsie Standard Rules for blunt weapons. For simplicity this weapon is broken down thus;
Staff; European Style: This is where the staff is held at one end. The novice should be able to attack, block and especially thrust safely. 
Spear, European Style: This is a spear held European style. Besides what is noted in European Staff, the novice should understand how to use the spearhead both to slash and thrust.
Staff, Oriental Style: This is where the staff is held in the center with the hands about as far apart as the novice’s hips. The novice must learn how to move the staff quickly and effectively, as well as the requirements of European Style.
Staff, One Handed: The novice should learn how to use the staff held in one hand and tucked under the shoulder for when one hand is lost in battle.
Student Level: Students working on the staff and spear should learn how to use them one handed with the elbow bracing the staff. They should learn how to hold the spear monkey-grip in order to use it with a shield. Lastly, they should be able to switch between styles with ease.

Sword: This covers all one handed swords except for exotic swords like the khopesh that are listed as student level. The novice should be able to use all one handed swords safely and effectively be able to attack and defend with them. They should know the difference between straight swords and curved blades. They should know the names of the basic swords that are available to be used and learned. 
Student Level: There are many styles and tricks that can be used with the sword and to list all of the ones that a student should pursue would require an entire book.

Two Handed Sword: This includes all swords that are used with two hands. If the novice holds the sword to the ground in front of him and it is higher than his navel then it must be used with two hands only.  All requirements for two handed swords are identical to one handed swords, plus the novice must learn how to lock up the blades and disengage safely. 
Student Level: Students should learn how to effectively make one-handed swings with a two handed weapon. 

Student Weapons
 Student level weapons are more difficult than novice level weapons and the student is expected to be able to handle them better than the novice handles his weapons. Most student level weapons have a prerequisite weapon that must be learned first. Students are expected to be safe at all times and that requirement will not be repeated for every student weapon. Any weapons listed as optional are not needed to advance to martial artist.

Armor (optional): This covers everything from chainmail to full plate. Students must be able to fight in their own armor safely and effectively. They must know the official rules for fighting in armor and must also know how to judge blows they receive and call whether they would pierce the armor or not.

Battleaxe: The student must learn how to use the battleaxe effectively and how to use it offensively in order to make up for its lack of inherent defense. They should also know how to grapple with the axe. 
Prerequisite: Hand Axe

Cleaver: The cleaver is a simple weapon and the student only needs how to learn it effectively and safely. Cleavers should be used in pairs and/or used with a knife. 
Prerequisite: Hand Axe

Cloak (Optional): The three functions of the cloak are to hide, distract and deflect. The student should be able to use the cloak to hide the location of their main weapon from their opponent. The student should be able to use the cloak to distract their opponent usually by twirling the cloak at his/her face so the opponent can’t see. Third, the student should be able to deflect light weapons with their cloak. Lastly, the student should recognize the inherent risk to their cloak hand and be able to protect it.

Concentration Fighting: This is the most difficult discipline to master that The Order of the Roc teaches. The student should be able to keep a state of constant concentration and use that concentration to sense everything around him/her and react with a heightened speed. Your instructor(s) should be able to better guide you with this style.

Dagger/Knife: Before any student can learn knife they must correctly answer a question posed to them by an instructor. This question may not be shared with other students or novices. Once training begins the student needs to learn to use the knife effectively, moving from the elbow (or similar method) so their opponent doesn’t know where each blow is coming from and must be able to use paired knives or a knife paired with a cleaver.

Hop Fighting (optional): To learn hop fighting the student need only learn how to fight while on one foot. They must know that this can only be used if they are wounded below the knee, an injury to the knee or upper leg does not allow one to hold the leg correctly. 

Heavy Mace/Mass Weapons: To qualify the student should be able to correctly swing these heavy weapons to they can do mass damage and still pull their blows. They must know mass rules and  how these weapons effect armor. 
Prerequisite: Club/Bat/Light Mace

Khopesh (optional): The main function of the khopesh is to grab and twist the opponent’s weapon. The student must show that they can do this effectively and safely.
Prerequisite: 1 Handed Swords, warhammer

Pole Arm: This covers a wide range of pole arms and students must prove that they can use all of the pole arms that we have present at that time. Right now that it the bec-de-corbin, bill-hook, halbered, pole axe, pole mace and spetum. The student must be able to recognize these weapons by their appearance. They must be able to use them effectively to thrust, chop, bash and, especially to grapple. They must also show that they can use these weapons safely and pull their blows. They must know armor piercing and mass rules.
Prerequisites: Spear, Battleaxe, Heavy Mace

Rapier: The Rapier is the most difficult boffer sword style to learn. The rapier can only be used to thrust, slashes with these light blades are inefficient. The student must demonstrate that they can effectively use the rapier offensively and defensively both against rapiers and other swords. They must be able to pull blows with the dramatic thrusts these weapons require. They must know what blows can break their rapier. Lastly they must be able to fight with a dagger, short sword or main gauche in their off hand.
Prerequisites: One-Handed Swords

Spring Steel Fencing Weapons (optional): These light weight weapons require a lot of training but are excellent for increasing the student’s sword speed. The student must be able to fight effectively with the spring steel weapon of their choice. They must know how to judge a hit on themselves. They must know what protective gear is required (mask, jacket, glove) and how to use it. It is recommended, although not required, that they be able to use a main gauche in their off hand.
Prerequisites: One-Handed Swords

Team Fighting: To clear in team fighting the student must show that he can fight effectively as part of a large team as well as a small squad. They must be able to follow orders in combat and contribute to the victory of their team. They must show that they can remain calm and orderly in combat. Lastly, they must show that they can protect their teammates in combat. This can only be learned in team combats.

Two Weapon Fighting: The student must be able to safely and effectively use two weapons at the same time, preferably two one-handed swords. 
Prerequisites: One-Handed Swords, shield

Martial Artist Weapons: Martial artist weapons are weapons that are inherently dangerous to use. These weapons can seriously hurt an opponent even if used correctly. Because of this they are only open to martial artists and, at the discretion of an instructor, advanced students. 
These weapons may only be used against students (yellow belts) or higher who give their consent. If the opponent is under 18 their parent must consent as well.
These weapons are hard to master and therefore direct requirements are hard to list. To clear on these weapons the student or martial artist must be able to excel at these weapons, not just use them safely. Advancement is at the sole discretion of the instructor. 

Blunted Steel: Blunted steel swords are never used in competition. These weapons are far too dangerous and are only used for demonstrations. These may not be taught to anyone under the level of martial artist. The goal of blunted steel is to learn how to use these weapons impressively (to the audience) and at the same time safely (to everyone). 

Rope/Chain: This covers a wide range of rope and chain weapons including the manriki, meteor hammer, nunchuks and other, similar weapons that have a rope or chain. The student / martial artist must be able to use them effectively and relatively safely. They must be able to hit accurately, recover their weapon readily and use safe, effective attacks.

Tri-Sectional Staff : The student must be able to use the weapon effectively and (reasonably) safely. They must be able to recover their staff easily.

Wooden Weapons: This covers wooden weapons with a light foam padding. The student / martial artist must be able to use them as a normal sword but safely.