The second was that he should not insult any woman.
The third was that he should never deny any person asking for food.
The fourth was that he should not turn his back on less than nine foemen.
No man was received into the Fianna until a wide pit had been dug for him, in which he was to stand up to his knees, with a shield in one hand and a hazel stake the length of his arm in the other. Nine warriors, armed with spears, came within a distance of nine ridges of ground of him and threw their spears at him all at once. Should he be wounded, despite the shield and hazel staff, he was not received into the order of the Fianna.
No man was received into the Fianna until his hair was first braided. He was then chased by selected runners through a forest, the distance between them at the start being one tree. If they came up with him he could not be taken into the Fianna.
No man was received into the Fianna if his weapons trembled in his hands.
No man could be received if a single braid of his hair had been loosened by a branch as he ran through the forest.
No man was received into the Fianna whose foot had broken a withered branch in his course. (This to insure light and careful as well as swift runners, who left no trail.)
No man was received unless he could jump over the branch of a tree as high as his head and stoop under one as low as his knee.
No man was received unless he could pluck a thorn out of his heel without coming to a stand.