This is the class sign up for Thursday, Oct 24th.  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. 

October 24: Saber first, Rapier second SABER: This is a continuous saber class taught without a specific source. While many systems will be drawn on people practicing any system are welcome to join and will learn something. We will be working on techniques but also general fencing concepts such as distance management, timing, fighting under defense and so on.  RAPIER:  This will be a multi focus group.  To help people find the style that fits best with their physiology, temperament, and how to just become a better fighter by understanding the breadth of techniques out there and how to use/defend against them. Touch of Fabris, Capo ferro, Destreza, Dancie, Agrippa, etc. This will be a very long term project, my goal is to bring in some book study when we get folks up to speed to start working on some school level interpretations and learn how to read, theorize, and understand treatise study to help people find their own niches

This is the class sign up for Monday, October 21st. 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 class sign up for Thursday, Oct 17th.  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 class sign up for Monday, October 14th. 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.  Like always, this time is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class. This is for open floor use of Top Tier.

October 10th: Rapier first, saber second. Rapier with Mike Gilding, Saber with Jonathan McKenzie Gordon  RAPIER: This will be a multi focus group.  To help people find the style that fits best with their physiology, temperament, and how to just become a better fighter by understanding the breadth of techniques out there and how to use/defend against them. Touch of Fabris, Capo ferro, Destreza, Dancie, Agrippa, etc. This will be a very long term project, my goal is to bring in some book study when we get folks up to speed to start working on some school level interpretations and learn how to read, theorize, and understand treatise study to help people find their own niches SABER: This is a continuous saber class taught without a specific source. While many systems will be drawn on people practicing any system are welcome to join and will learn something. We will be working on techniques but also general fencing concepts such as distance management, timing, fighting under defense and so on.

This is the class sign up for Thursday, Oct 10th.  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. 

COVID-19: You are required to be fully vaccinated and boostered to join this class.   Full vaccination is defined by getting the full regimen of shots (Pfizer/Moderna = 2, J&J = 1), passing the required 2 weeks for full innoculation, and receiving a booster within 6-8 months of your last dose. You will be required to present your CDC vaccination card 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 7th. 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.   

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.  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  This Sword & Buckler class focuses primarily from the MS. I.33 transcript, though we will advance to introducing other sources (Bolognese, di Grassi, Lignitzer, and Marozzo).  We'll be going over both the historical references and what people tend to degrade into during sparring or compititions.  There is a lot that sword and buckler can aid in improving your other weapon systems as well.  The focus on binding and winding, as well as reading your opponents position, give good muscle memory training.  We will have class bi-monthly on Saturdays. We highly recommend if you are interested in taking this class to purchase a buckler.  They cost only about $40, Purple Heart armory has a pretty good reputation and shipping speed.  but feel free to use any HEMA supplier that carries them.  https://www.woodenswords.com/Synthetic_Sparring_Buckler_p/cs.shield.buckler.12.htm The club has a few bucklers available, any one handed sword will work for practice.  (side sword, saber, arming sword, messer, etc.)  Rapiers will do in a pinch but are not appropriate for sparring purposes. Light gloves are needed for Buckler hand, med/heavy gloves for sword hand.  

This is the class sign up for Thursday, Oct 3rd.  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.