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, January 5th. Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  In order to participate, you must agree to our COVID policy. Please read and sign our COVID-19 waiver here - COVID-19 Rules and Regulations. This only needs to be signed once.   

This is the class sign up for Thursday, January 1st.  Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.

This is the class sign up for Monday, December 15th. Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  In order to participate, you must agree to our COVID policy. Please read and sign our COVID-19 waiver here - COVID-19 Rules and Regulations. This only needs to be signed once.   

This is the class sign up for Monday, December 15th.  MERRY SHANKSMAS!!!! The second annual class exploring the fun of historical Dagger. Have that drunk uncle who just took a shot of your 20 year old scotch...Stab him in the groin. Someone not like the perfect White Elephant gift...Use their own dagger to stab them in the groin. Find that special someone under the mistletoe, that you don't want to stab in the groin...Learn how to wrap them in your arms...Fighting the urge to stab them in the groin. (You get the playfull tone) Also what the hell was wrong with folks back then... In order to participate, you must agree to our COVID policy. 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, December 18th.  Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.

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, December 15th. Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  In order to participate, you must agree to our COVID policy. Please read and sign our COVID-19 waiver here - COVID-19 Rules and Regulations. This only needs to be signed once.   

This is the class sign up for Thursday, December 11th.  Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.

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, December 8th. Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  In order to participate, you must agree to our COVID policy. Please read and sign our COVID-19 waiver here - COVID-19 Rules and Regulations. This only needs to be signed once.