FDC Policies and Procedures

Section 2, Clauses 20-25

2.20 Basic Actor Combatant Requirements

(Formerly Actor/Combatant Silver/Gold)

1. Basic certification may be obtained in one of two ways:
   1. Students may elect to certify in all three weapons at one time.
   2. Students may elect to certify in individual weapons over the course of one calendar year.
2. Must be taught by a currently certified FDC Fight Instructor, Fight Director, or Fight Master.
   1. It is the responsibility of the instructor to ensure that all elements outlined in the Basic Actor Combatant Glossaries
   2. The minimum number of accrued contact hours, with a certified FDC Instructor, is a total of 60, if testing in all three weapon systems at one time. The suggested number of training/rehearsal hours required for basic level certification is 80. and Teaching Syllabus of Fight Directors, Canada are covered in their certification classes. A list of the required techniques and concepts are included in the following documentation. (see Section 2.21-2.24)
   3. If testing in one weapon system at a time, the minimum number of accrued contact hours, with a certified FDC Fight Instructor, is 20.
3. Weapon styles are: Unarmed Combat, Quarterstaff, Single Sword.
4. Achievement of Certification at this level does not qualify the combatant to teach or direct fights. Any student who misrepresents him/herself in this capacity will:
   1. Be stripped of their FDC certification.
      1. The company or companies they are working for will be notified of the misrepresentation.
   2. Each case will be brought before the FDC National Council for additional sanctions.

2.21 Syllabus for the Level of Basic Actor Combatant

Instructors are required to cover a derivation of all of the techniques and concepts outlined in the Basic Actor Combatant glossaries and the following syllabus. Students may be asked questions related to the required materials by the adjudicator at the time of the examination. All movements, attacks and defenses covered should include inherent safety features. Students may be asked to explain and/or demonstrate these features at any point during the adjudication process. Certification Fights are choreographed by the instructor using techniques and concepts from the syllabus. Chosen texts must be from a published text and fights in each discipline should last no longer than three minutes.

1. Combat Techniques
   1. In-Distance/Out of Distance Attacks and Defenses
   2. On-Line/Off-Line Attacks and Defenses
   3. Contact/Non Contact Attacks and Defenses
   4. Linear/Circular/Diagonal Footwork
2. Stage Craft
   1. Blocking/Rehearsal/Performance Speed
   2. Rehearsal Process
   3. Spatial Awareness
   4. Stage Directions (Upstage, Downstage, Center Stage, Stage Right, Stage Left, Diagonals, etc.)
3. Safety Techniques
   1. Carriage of Weapons
      1. On Stage in Character
      2. Off Stage
      3. To and From Performances/Events/Rehearsals
   2. Safe Directions and Techniques for Disarms
   3. Safe Clearance of Weapons
   4. Legal Requirements concerning stage combat props and rehearsals
4. Concepts
   1. Acted Aggression
   2. Reversal of Energy
   3. Eye Contact
   4. Distance
   5. Cadence
   6. Focus
   7. Combat Anxiety
   8. Covering mistakes/blanks
   9. Masking of Techniques
   10. Fight Notation
   11. Blow Intensity
   12. Reaction Intensity
   13. Fight Pacing
   14. Fight Performance/Characterization

2.22 Single Sword Requirements. Basic Actor Combatant

1. Posture/Stances
   1. Lines of Engagement
      1. High Line, Low Line, Inside Line, Outside Line
   2. Basic Guards
      1. Covered Lines, Open Lines, Engaged Guards
   3. Stances
      1. Wide/Narrow, Offensive, Defensive, Neutral
2. Footwork
   1. Linear/Circular
   2. Advance/Retreat
   3. Pass Back/Pass Forward
   4. Avoidances
      1. Crosses, Thwarts, Voltes (Slips)
   5. Patinando
   6. Balestra
3. Holding the Weapon
   1. Supination
   2. Pronation
   3. Neutral
4. Attacks
   1. Cuts
      1. With/Without foot movement
      2. Horizontal, Diagonal, Ascending, Descending
   2. Thrusts
      1. With/Without foot movement
      2. Piston Thrust, Renewed Thrust (Remise)
   3. Lunges
      1. Half (Demi), Three quarter, Grande
      2. Recover Forward, Recover Backward
5. Parries
   1. 1,2,3,4,5,5a,6,7,8, back hanging guard, low 5
   2. Hand Parries
   3. Direct Parries
   4. Semi-Circular Parries
   5. Circular Parries
   6. Hanging Parries
6. Blade Work
   1. Point Control
   2. Degage
   3. Coupe
   4. Prise-de-Fer
      1. Bind
      2. Envelopment
      3. Croise
   5. Attacks on the Blade
      1. Beat
      2. Pressure
      3. Froissement
   6. Double
   7. Riposte
7. Simple Disarms
8. Simple Wounds
9. General Techniques
   1. Corps a Corps
   2. Shunts
   3. Salutes

2.23 Unarmed Requirements. Basic Actor Combatant

1. Stance
   1. Offensive, Defensive, Neutral
2. Punches
   1. Contact and Non-Contact
   2. Jab, Straight, Hook, Roundhouse, Cross, Uppercut
3. Slaps (4 types)
   1. Forehand (horizontal)
   2. Backhand (Horizontal)
   3. Diagonal (Rising, Falling)
   4. Contact
4. Elbow Strikes
   1. Stomach
   2. Face/Head
5. Kicks
   1. Stomach, Upper Thigh, Face
6. Knee Attacks
   1. Stomach, Face
7. Knaps (4 Categories)
   1. Self Knaps / Attacker / First Person
   2. Partner Knaps / Victim / Second Person
   3. Shared Knaps
   4. Third Party
      1. (Be sure to include the use of vocal reactions)
8. Blocks
   1. Forearm, Wing, Hands, Shin
9. Break Falls
   1. Forward Roll, Backward Roll, Sit Falls, Side Falls, Forward Break Fall
10. Throws / Take Downs
    1. Such as: Trips, Slips, Hip Throw, Irish Whip, Leg Sweep
11. General Techniques
    1. Pulls (Ear, Nose, Hair), Shoving, Strangles (Hands, Forearms), Bites,
    2. Scratches, Avoidances

2.24 Quarterstaff Requirements. Basic Actor Combatant

1. Posture/Stances
   1. Lines of Engagement
      1. High Line, Low Line, Inside Line, Outside Lines
   2. Basic Guards
      1. Covered Lines, Open Lines, Engaged Guards
   3. Stances
      1. Wide/Narrow, Offensive, Defensive, Neutral
2. Footwork
   1. Linear, Circular
   2. Advance, Retreat, Passing
3. Distance
   1. Short/Long Form
4. Forms/Guards
   1. Short Form
      1. Boxing Guard (Both Hands in Pronation),
      2. Supination/Pronation
      3. Fore End, Butt End, Center Staff
   2. Long Form
      1. Boxing Guard (Both Hands in Pronation
      2. Supination/Pronation
      3. Fore End, Butt End, Center Staff
5. Attacks (Utilizing Fore End, Butt, End, and Center Staff)
   1. Cuts
      1. Horizontal, Diagonal, Rising, Falling
      2. To all lines and safe targets
      3. With/Without Foot Movement
      4. Slashing Techniques
         1. Head, Center, Foot, Diagonal
   2. Thrusts (Utilizing Fore and Butt End)
      1. To all lines and safe targets
      2. With/Without Foot Movement
6. Lunges
   1. Half (Demi), Three Quarter, Grand
   2. Recovery (Forward/Backward)
   3. To all lines and safe targets
7. Blocks/Avoidances
   1. Defending the High, Low, Inside, Outside lines
   2. Vertical, Horizontal, Diagonal Parries
   3. Hanging Parries
   4. Fore End, Butt End, and Center Staff Parries
8. Exchange/Retrieval
   1. Hand Exchanges
   2. Staff Exchanges
   3. Retrieval from a Shoulder Roll
9. Disarms
10. General Techniques
    1. Beats, Binds, Envelopment, Sweeps
    2. Pushes
    3. Leverage

2.25 Basic Actor Combatant Re-certification Procedures

1. Basic Actor Combatant re-certification consists of a six-hour workshop that is divided into three components. This course may be completed in one or two sessions and must be taught by an FDC certified Fight Instructor, Fight Director, or Fight Master in good standing.
   1. The first component is a minimum of three hours in length.
      1. This component is devoted to technique drills and exercises covering a majority of techniques from the weapon systems of the basic level.
      2. Verbal or written examination given on glossary techniques.
   2. The second component involves learning two or three short test fights that display the combatant’s retained abilities.
      1. Fights need not include all techniques outlined in the syllabus.
      2. Fights should be approximately one-minute in length. If two fights are utilized, the fights must not exceed two minutes. If three fights are utilized, the fights must not exceed three minutes.
      3. Fights are to be performed at speed with minimal dialogue.
   3. The third component involves the rehearsal and performance of the learned choreography. This component includes:
      1. Review of Choreography
      2. Coaching by the Instructor
      3. Rehearsal
      4. Video-Taped performances. (A Fight Master should be brought in to adjudicate the fights if there is a local Fight Master.)
         1. Video-tapes may not be edited and should include a full view of both performers at all times. Panning and Zooming are permitted but the video must be shot from one location.
         2. In the case that a certified FM is not available and a video tape is used, a written evaluation of each student, from the Certified FDC Instructor must accompany the video tape.
2. Cost of Re-Certification:
   1. The minimum cost of basic re-certification totals $150.00
      1. The adjudicating Fight Master will receive a fee of $50 per student.
      2. FDC will receive $25.00 to cover the re-certification charge.
      3. The instructor shall receive a minimum of $75.00 for their instruction and rental of performance space.
      4. FDC reserves the right to alter the above fees at any time.