COVID-19: Restrictions will be in place and you will be required to wear a face mask during class. Class sizes will also be restricted.  Please click on the following link to ensure you are aware of our new COVID-19 regulations. You will not be able to register for this class unless you agree to the new rules - COVID-19 Rules and Regulations <<< Click here first. ----------------------------------------- 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 February, May, August, and November 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, November 2nd. This class will be restricted to 15 participants. Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  In order to participate, you must read and agree to our COVID-19 waiver (one time) and you must agree to Top Tier's COVID-19 waiver. The Top Tier waiver must be signed within one hour of the start of class. If you do not, you will not be allowed to participate. It is located on their home page.  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, October 29th. This class will be restricted to 30 participants. Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  In order to participate, you must read and agree to our COVID-19 waiver (one time) and you must agree to Top Tier's COVID-19 waiver. The Top Tier waiver must be signed within one hour of the start of class. If you do not, you will not be allowed to participate. It is located on their home page.  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 26th. This class will be restricted to 30 participants. Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  In order to participate, you must read and agree to our COVID-19 waiver (one time) and you must agree to Top Tier's COVID-19 waiver. The Top Tier waiver must be signed within one hour of the start of class. If you do not, you will not be allowed to participate. It is located on their home page.  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, October 22nd. This class will be restricted to 30 participants. Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  In order to participate, you must read and agree to our COVID-19 waiver (one time) and you must agree to Top Tier's COVID-19 waiver. The Top Tier waiver must be signed within one hour of the start of class. If you do not, you will not be allowed to participate. It is located on their home page.  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 19th. This class will be restricted to 30 participants. Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  In order to participate, you must read and agree to our COVID-19 waiver (one time) and you must agree to Top Tier's COVID-19 waiver. The Top Tier waiver must be signed within one hour of the start of class. If you do not, you will not be allowed to participate. It is located on their home page.  Please read and sign our COVID-19 waiver here - COVID-19 Rules and Regulations. This only needs to be signed once.   

The new montante class will be taught over the course of about 12 weeks, either every Thursday or every other Thursday so that 2 classes can be run if there is enough interest. This class is an introduction to the use of a montante and will not follow any particular treatise. It will draw from Iberian, Italian, and German traditions, but will focus on body biomechanics of montante use, you will not be fencing against others using montantes. Due to the nature of the weapons involved there are additional safety risks compared to longsword or saber classes. Many of these risks can be avoided if participants follow instruction and pay attention to their actions. This means that the instructor will remove individuals from classes if he feels they are not paying attention, listening, or taking instruction or preventing other from doing the same. You should not sign up for this class if you do not think you are able to: physically swing a 5 lb sword safely for an hour or longer have full range of motion in the arms and shoulders listen to all instruction commit to the full class. This will be very progressive and missing class will make it difficult for you to continue. If you KNOW you cannot commit, please do not sign up. Individual absences will be accepted due to life reasons. If you have any questions please contact Christian at btr.chris89@gmail.com

This is the class sign up for Thursday, October 15th. This class will be restricted to 30 participants. Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  In order to participate, you must read and agree to our COVID-19 waiver (one time) and you must agree to Top Tier's COVID-19 waiver. The Top Tier waiver must be signed within one hour of the start of class. If you do not, you will not be allowed to participate. It is located on their home page.  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 12th. This class will be restricted to 30 participants. Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  In order to participate, you must read and agree to our COVID-19 waiver (one time) and you must agree to Top Tier's COVID-19 waiver. The Top Tier waiver must be signed within one hour of the start of class. If you do not, you will not be allowed to participate. It is located on their home page.  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, October 8th. This class will be restricted to 30 participants. Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  In order to participate, you must read and agree to our COVID-19 waiver (one time) and you must agree to Top Tier's COVID-19 waiver. The Top Tier waiver must be signed within one hour of the start of class. If you do not, you will not be allowed to participate. It is located on their home page.  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 5th. This class will be restricted to 30 participants. Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  In order to participate, you must read and agree to our COVID-19 waiver (one time) and you must agree to Top Tier's COVID-19 waiver. The Top Tier waiver must be signed within one hour of the start of class. If you do not, you will not be allowed to participate. It is located on their home page.  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, October 1st. This class will be restricted to 30 participants. Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  In order to participate, you must read and agree to our COVID-19 waiver (one time) and you must agree to Top Tier's COVID-19 waiver. The Top Tier waiver must be signed within one hour of the start of class. If you do not, you will not be allowed to participate. It is located on their home page.  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, September 28th. This class will be restricted to 15 participants. Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  In order to participate, you must read and agree to our COVID-19 waiver (one time) and you must agree to Top Tier's COVID-19 waiver. The Top Tier waiver must be signed within one hour of the start of class. If you do not, you will not be allowed to participate. It is located on their home page.  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, September 24th. This class will be restricted to 30 participants. Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  In order to participate, you must read and agree to our COVID-19 waiver (one time) and you must agree to Top Tier's COVID-19 waiver. The Top Tier waiver must be signed within one hour of the start of class. If you do not, you will not be allowed to participate. It is located on their home page.  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, September 21st. This class will be restricted to 15 participants. Like always, this class is restricted to those who finished the MKdF Beginner's Class.  In order to participate, you must read and agree to our COVID-19 waiver (one time) and you must agree to Top Tier's COVID-19 waiver. The Top Tier waiver must be signed within one hour of the start of class. If you do not, you will not be allowed to participate. It is located on their home page.  Please read and sign our COVID-19 waiver here - COVID-19 Rules and Regulations. This only needs to be signed once.