That refers to passives, combat and non-combat skills
Sword skills are a subset of skills to your weapon skill that is equipped in a skill slot
So, you equip, for example, one-handed straight sword
That is one skill slot used
and you have one more for light armor expertise or whatever it is called
With the one-handed straight sword equipped, you can use the one-handed straight sword Sword Skills, such as [b]<<Vertical>>, <<Horizontal>>[/b] and [b]<<Serration Wave>>[/b]. As the skill gets higher (which can be rough leveling, no need to explain it going up levels, just be reasonable somehow) then you can use stronger sword skills.