We often get asked, by fencers and parents finishing their first month, “what’s next?” This page lays out the path.

Fencing is a sport you can enjoy for life, at whatever level you choose — from a fun weekly class to national competition. There is no fixed timeline and no pressure to keep up with anyone else. You progress at your own pace, guided by your coach, as your skills grow.

The Ladder

Intro Class — your first month. Equipment provided, no experience needed. Start here.
Beginner Class — the foundation. A standard curriculum that rotates on a regular interval, in foil or epee.
Open Fencing — real bouts against real opponents, once you have your own electric gear. More here.
Private Lessons — optional at any level, and the fastest way to improve. More here.
Intermediate Class — open-ended tactics and strategy, after passing a skills check.
Tournaments — starting with our own in-house events, then local competitions.
Competitive Track — for fencers actively competing.
Regional and national tournaments.

Moving up is about skill, not time served. Some fencers move quickly and others take longer — both are completely fine.

A Bit More About Each Stage

The Intro Class teaches new people a little about fencing and lets them see if they like the sport. A complete set of techniques isn’t taught in a month, but the class will tell you whether you enjoy sweating in fencing gear, hitting people with metal sticks, and getting hit with metal sticks.

The Beginner Class is where you land after Intro, and it’s the foundation of everything above it. A standard curriculum rotates on a regular interval covering core technique, vocabulary and tactics, with drilling and bouting. Because the curriculum loops, missing a week is never a problem. Fencers focus on a single weapon here, foil or epee — if you can’t decide, talk to a coach. Fencers who love fencing but aren’t looking to compete can happily stay in this class indefinitely.

Open Fencing is where fencers move on to high-intensity boutwork against stronger opponents, and it’s where everything you learn in class comes together. You’ll bout in the weapon you’ve been training in. Staying with one weapon while your fundamentals develop is what builds the all-important muscle memory. Once that’s solid, trying the other weapon, or switching to it, is straightforward — talk to a coach when you’re curious.

Open fencing is fenced with electric scoring equipment, and you’ll need your own electric gear to take part. We don’t have enough club gear to lend permanently. See our equipment guide, and ask about our equipment incentive — after three months in the Beginner class, we’ll take 50% off your next three months of membership if you let us help you buy a starter kit.

Open fencing is self-directed and fun. In class a coach directs everyone; at open fencing you take responsibility for your own training. Coaches often work with fencers individually, and you’re encouraged to ask coaches or clubmates for help. It’s fine to take a class and then stay for open fencing — and if time is tight, we’d still recommend making room for open fencing, even if it means arriving later.

Private lessons are one-on-one time with a coach and a good way to progress more rapidly, with tailored instruction and direct feedback. They’re a good option for fencers of any skill level, not just competitors. Learn more.

The Intermediate Class is a more open-ended, tactical and strategic class built on top of the fundamentals, with a focus on physical fitness, footwork and more complex topics. To move up from Beginner, you’ll pass a skills-check lesson: a one-on-one assessment where you demonstrate the core fencing actions from memory, without assistance. The bar is competency, not polish.

Tournaments are essential to development once a fencer has gear and attends open fencing. We host our own in-house tournaments every few months — friendly, members-only events that are a relaxed way to learn how a competition runs before stepping up to a bigger one. Beyond that, events within a couple of hours’ drive let you see other fencers, coaches and referees in action. www.askfred.net is the best place to find them. Let your coach know if you plan to attend; we often go to local tournaments and are more likely to make a point of it if we know you’re going.

The Competitive Track is for fencers actively competing. It isn’t a group class — it’s built on private lessons and tournament coaching, with the expectation that you attend open fencing regularly, and it’s customized for each athlete’s goals. To join you need your own full electric kit, an Access or Competitive USA Fencing membership, and to have fenced at least one tournament and enjoyed it. Once you have all three, talk to your coach.

Regional and national tournaments offer both better competition and competition better matched to your age, since national events have veteran and youth age groups that local tournaments don’t. These require overnight travel and are more expensive. Fencers who are comfortable at local tournaments tend to have a better experience at this level. Be warned: competition can be intense and rules are strictly enforced.

Questions?

Ask any coach — we’re happy to map it out with you. You can also call Bren at 301-537-0211 or email us. Coaches can talk at practice too, though time is limited while class is running.