USA Fencing Launches En Garde! Fencing Program to Bring the Sport Into Schools Nationwide

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — We know that incredible things can happen when you get a fencing weapon in the hands of a young person. 

That’s why USA Fencing is proud to announce the launch of En Garde! Fencing, a new school-based program designed to introduce students to the sport that’s known as “physical chess” — and to connect them to a fencing club in their community.

The program is built around a straightforward premise: growing the sport starts with giving young people a first experience with it. En Garde! Fencing meets students where they already are, bringing the sport directly into school gymnasiums and afterschool spaces and then creating a clear pathway to local USA Fencing clubs for those who want to continue.

En Garde! Fencing will ultimately serve students across three levels:

• Elementary (Grades 3–5) — Launching now
• Middle School (Grades 6–8) — In development
• High School (Grades 9–12) — In development

The program is designed as a progression, with each level building on the last toward the ultimate goal of connecting students to a fencing club where they can continue to grow in the sport.

The elementary level launches first, powered by the 2-4-1  curriculum developed by Lawrence University Head Fencing Coach Eric Momberg. Using safe, patent-pending, foam foils, students learn fencing basics through play and teamwork in a way that doesn't require any prior experience — from students or teachers. 

The 2-4-1 curriculum integrates sport instruction with its TOP Self™ social-emotional learning approach, so every session builds not just fencing skills but confidence, sportsmanship, self-awareness, and the strategic thinking that makes fencing unique.

The entire program is provided at no cost to participating schools. Equipment is included. The curriculum is easy to follow. And USA Fencing support is built in from the start.

Fencing is one of only five sports contested at every modern Olympic Games — but access to the sport remains uneven. En Garde! Fencing is designed to change that by creating new entry points in communities that may not have a direct connection to fencing today.

By reaching students at the school level and routing interested participants toward local USA Fencing clubs, the program builds a pipeline for grassroots membership growth — one gymnasium at a time.

"En Garde! Fencing is about creating opportunities for young people to fall in love with a sport they might never have encountered otherwise," says Tom Eisenhauer, USA Fencing's Senior Sports Development Manager, who helped develop the program. "By providing an easy to follow video-based curriculum, we’re removing the knowledge gap for teachers. We've seen firsthand how quickly students connect with fencing once they get a foil in their hands. Now we're making it easier than ever for schools to bring that experience to their students.”

Every En Garde! Fencing session is built around four core pillars:

• Mind + Body — Fencing develops critical thinking, reaction time and strategic decision-making alongside physical fitness.
• Safe Equipment — Foam training swords provide a fun, safe introduction with no metal blades or protective gear required.
• Olympic + Paralympic Pathway — En Garde! Fencing is the first step on a pathway that leads to local clubs, regional competitions and beyond.
• Values-Driven — Each session reinforces sportsmanship, respect, integrity and the traditions that make fencing special.

Schools, educators and club leaders interested in bringing En Garde! Fencing to their community can learn more and submit an interest form at this link. A member of the USA Fencing team will follow up directly.