Just to show you a few snippets from my guys and girls going through a 3 day grading. http://youtu.be/gvpQEtW97r0 And a little snippet of yours truly playing with one of my guys. http://youtu.be/SCyg0p8HrFo
That was only a snippet from one of the three days. The have to be technically proficient in single and double stick. Single and double dagger. Long stick. Empty hand against weapons. Empty hand from standing to ground and multiple opponent as well as spar all of it to get their black belts hence it takes three days. Then they can start to specialise and really learn. It's tough but its worth it. And I don't make any exception for gender either. But we also party and have a great laugh too.