Trick Library

Dan Levels Defined

Let's break this down further. What does this all mean?

1. Earn your Black Sling

   This refers to the standard black sling curriculum. If you are on the Black Sling Qualified list, you are a 1st Degree Black Sling. This is the only prerequisite for earning more degrees. You cannot be a black sling driller at any degree (regardless of other criteria) without first completing the Black Sling curriculum.

2. Complete the Black Sling Dan Level Curriculum

   This refers to the Black Sling Dan Level curriculum. If you are on the Black Sling Dan Level Qualified list, you have earned a new Dan Level.

3. Win One S-Tier Event

   Currently, the only S Tier Event is the World Drill Championships. If you have won a world championship title in any event, you have earned a new Dan Level.

4. Have 4 years of active membership on a professional team

   A professional team is defined as any performance-oriented drill team of 3 or more members who have performed in public outside the context of a drill competition. Examples of professional teams include: Military Service Drill Teams, New Guard America, The King's Guard, etc. A "year" refers to any calendar year in which your team performed on tape at least one time to an audience of 50 or more people. A maximum of 3 years of credit can be given for events in which your team has performed at a drill venue as a performance (not as a competition). To complete your Dan level, you must have at least one performance that meets the other requirements but is disconnected from a major drill event - a true public show to an audience unfamiliar with drill. Credit is given to any members of the team who were part of at least 1 qualifying performance throughout the year.

5. Have 1 year of drill coaching experience

   Drill Coaching Experience is defined as the active coaching and mentorship of at least TWO other individuals throughout the drill season. Credit for this may be backdated if proof can be provided. Credit will be given under the following circumstances:

   1. You've mentored at least 2 individual drillers who each write a letter describing the way you helped them through the drill season and vouching that your level of assistance is worth a year of credit.
   2. You've coached a JROTC drill team and have had the JROTC instructor message me, vouching that your level of assistance is worth a year of credit.
   3. You're a member of a professional coaching organization, and the owner of the company vouches that your total contribution throughout the year is worth a year of credit.
   4. You can also make a case that you've provided a high level of assistance to drillers over the course of the year through other means, such as YouTube videos, frequent online critiques, livestreams, etc. This contribution must be widely used, actively contributed to, and recognizable by the community. Credit is entirely subjective and may be subject to community vote.
6. Have 5 years of drill coaching experience

   (Same definition and criteria as the 1-year drill coaching experience, but for 5 years.)

7. Have 10 years of drill coaching experience

   (Same definition and criteria as the 1-year drill coaching experience, but for 10 years.)

8. Have 15 years of drill coaching experience

   (Same definition and criteria as the 1-year drill coaching experience, but for 15 years.)

9. Have 20 years of drill coaching experience

   (Same definition and criteria as the 1-year drill coaching experience, but for 20 years.)

10. Honorable Dan Level for an influential career in drill

    This Dan Level is subjectively given as a result of a lifelong contribution to drill. It is only given after an individual has achieved a minimum of 6 Dan levels. Therefore, it is only the 7th, 8th, 9th, or 10th Dan acquired.