This is the signup for all single handed weapons classes, regardless of weapon or instructor. If you intend on taking class with an instructor, sign up here.  As with all Maryland KdF classes, you are required to have taken the beginner's class

COVID-19: You are required to have an up to date vaccination to join this class.   An up to date vaccination is defined as having received a COVID vaccination dated within one (1) year of the class start date. You will be required to present a vaccination card (or any other type of verification) on the first day of class as proof. ----------------------------------------- We currently offer beginner's classes in German longsword, the primary weapon of the Kunst des Fechtens system.  The beginner's class heavily features proper bio-mechanics, footwork, getting to know the sword, and, at the end of the course, each beginner can try their new skills in our Rookie Tournament.  All the gear you need is provided for you - masks, swords, gloves, etc. All you need to do is show up in comfortable gym clothes.  The classes start at 8:00 pm on the first Monday of January, April, July, and October and runs, on Monday, for eight (8) weeks.  Please try to arrive 15 minutes early so we can start class on time.   Schedule Below is a rough schedule of what you will encounter in the Beginner's Class. Be aware that order and topics may change depending on the needs and abilities of the beginners. In general, however, we will try to stick to this schedule.  Day 1: History, footwork, getting to know the sword, and basic guards Day 2: Long edge cuts - introducing Oberhau, Unterhau, and Zornhau Day 3: Short edge cuts - introducing Shielhau Day 4: Ribbons, flourishes, and moulinets - starting to put it together Day 5: Cutting at odd angles - introducing Zwerchhau Day 6: More odd angles - introducing Krumphau Day 7: Binding, winding, and Schietalhau Day 8: Sparring games and Rookie Tournament   Rookie Tournament The Rookie's Tournament is the traditional ending to a beginner's class at Maryland KdF. It stems from historical examples within German fechtschulen. Here, we use it as a measure of the skills you have gained over the course of the class, as an introduction to tournament fighting, an introduction to sparring, and as a passage through to becoming fully fledged club members.  The rules are based off of a mixture of historical rulesets regarding tournament fencing. Some of the rules include: head-only targeting and point scoring, no wrestling/grappling/ringen, and no running in (attempting to wrestle). The only weapons used are longswords - this tournament is supposed to be a pure test of fencing. Your opponents will not only be your classmates, but other people in the club as well.  This tournament is not mandatory, but it is a whole lot of fun. 

This is the class sign up for Monday, October 6th. Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  In order to participate, you must be vaccinated, boostered, and read and agree to our COVID-19 waiver (one time). Please read and sign our COVID-19 waiver here - COVID-19 Rules and Regulations. This only needs to be signed once.   

The same COVID restrictions apply to the Saturday classes as they do to the regular weekday classes.  Open floor sparring, individual coaching time, review and practical application of last weeks class topics, and special topic classes.  Saturdays are a really good time to work on individual improvement and practice of topics that YOU want to go over.  If there are several people that want to work on the same thing, Gilding is more than happy to lead smaller classes.  We can/will also be using part of the day to talk about Sword and Buckler instruction that includes techniques against mixed weapons.  (Rapier, sidesword, longsword, etc.)

This is the class sign up for Thursday, October 2nd.  Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  In order to participate, you must be vaccinated, boostered, and read and agree to our COVID-19 waiver (one time). Please read and sign our COVID-19 waiver here - COVID-19 Rules and Regulations. This only needs to be signed once. 

This is the signup for all single handed weapons classes, regardless of weapon or instructor. If you intend on taking class with an instructor, sign up here.  As with all Maryland KdF classes, you are required to have taken the beginner's class

This is the class sign up for Monday, September 29th. Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  In order to participate, you must be vaccinated, boostered, and read and agree to our COVID-19 waiver (one time). Please read and sign our COVID-19 waiver here - COVID-19 Rules and Regulations. This only needs to be signed once.   

PLEASE READ: If you are a Maryland KdF student, you only need to pay for the floor fee for the Siena School. If you are NOT a member of Maryland KdF, you will need to sign up for the membership labeled "Visiting Membership" first before buying a ticket to this class.  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Broadsword was the primary weapon of the Highland warrior for almost two hundred years and was feared all over Europe and the Americas. In collaboration with Maryland KDF, Jonathan will be teaching Scottish Martial Arts at the Siena School in Silver Spring. This ongoing class will focus on the Scottish schools of smallsword and broadsword fencing, specifically the teachings of Henry Angelo, Charles Roworth, Thomas Page, John Ferdinand and George Sinclair. Students will learn the fundamentals of Smallsword along with the basic guards, strikes and footwork of the Broadsword. Class material will cover a range of Scottish Martial Arts, with students learning to fence with the Broadsword and Targe, Scottish Twa-Handit (Two Handed Claymore), Lochaber Ax, and the Highland Dirk. Students should be able to perform the following: Safety is paramount!  Students should be able to conduct themselves in a manner that will not cause harm to their training partner or themselves. Pay attention to all instructions provided by the Instructor  Physically swing a sword in a safe manner for the duration of class (1 hour) It is recommended that any student signing up for this class have completed Maryland KdF's beginner longsword class (excluding former VAF students known to the instructor) and be a paying member of the club! Additionally, you must comply with all other COVID-19 precautions as outlined by the club (signing the waivers and achieving full vaccination).  Please read and sign our COVID-19 waiver here - COVID-19 Rules and Regulations. This only needs to be signed once. 

The same COVID restrictions apply to the Saturday classes as they do to the regular weekday classes.  Open floor sparring, individual coaching time, review and practical application of last weeks class topics, and special topic classes.  Saturdays are a really good time to work on individual improvement and practice of topics that YOU want to go over.  If there are several people that want to work on the same thing, Gilding is more than happy to lead smaller classes.  We can/will also be using part of the day to talk about Sword and Buckler instruction that includes techniques against mixed weapons.  (Rapier, sidesword, longsword, etc.)

This is the class sign up for Thursday, September 25th.  Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  In order to participate, you must be vaccinated, boostered, and read and agree to our COVID-19 waiver (one time). Please read and sign our COVID-19 waiver here - COVID-19 Rules and Regulations. This only needs to be signed once. 

This is the signup for all single handed weapons classes, regardless of weapon or instructor. If you intend on taking class with an instructor, sign up here.  As with all Maryland KdF classes, you are required to: 1. have taken the beginner's class and 2. have a recent COVID vaccination (recent = within the past year)

This is the class sign up for Monday, September 22nd. Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  In order to participate, you must be vaccinated, boostered, and read and agree to our COVID-19 waiver (one time). Please read and sign our COVID-19 waiver here - COVID-19 Rules and Regulations. This only needs to be signed once.