April 6th: Rapier first, saber second 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. 

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, April 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.   

This is the class sign up for Thursday, March 23rd.  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. 

March 30th: 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, March 27th. 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.   

On a trial basis, we will be opening the club for open floor and individual training on Saturdays. For now, there will be no formal classes during these sessions. The same COVID restrictions will apply to the Saturday classes as they do to the regular weekday classes.  We will continue these sessions for a few weeks and if we have nobody coming to them we won't continue them.     

This is the class sign up for Thursday, March 23rd.  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. 

March 23rd: Rapier first, saber second 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 Monday, March 20th. 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 a new Scottish Martial Arts program at the Siena School in Silver Spring. This ongoing class will focus on the Scottish schools of broadsword fencing, specifically the teachings of Henry Angelo, Charles Roworth, Thomas Page, and George Sinclair. Students will be introduced to the basic guards, strikes and footwork of the Broadsword initially. They will then continue their study of Scottish Martial Arts through 6 to 8 week modules that will concentrate on 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) As per usual, any student that signs up for this class must 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.