If you can find some fencing books, however old, in your university library they'll be a great help. Also, look online for coaching info, or look to the USFCA.
I'll give you a brief rundown of a lesson I give to people picking up the blade for the first time. I spent this summer fencing and teaching young folks in our local club as a means of community service and skill development.
1. Explain (briefly) the development of fencing throughout history to the modern game. Include topics on grips, national schools, and dueling. This gives people a little bit of background, lets little kids pretend their duelling, and older folks a better appreciation for the sport.
2. The grip. We started people on french grips, so explain the use of the thumb and pointer, as well as the three guides. Promise the fencer that they don't have to be perfect right now, and that as they go on it'll be easier. The same is true of using the orthpedic grip- finger usage is identical.
3. Start with the first position and the salute, then drop into on-guard and show proper foot, arm, torso, and leg position.
4. The advance and retreat. Have them put down their weapon so it doesn't get in the way. Remind them to bend their knees and keep their feet straight- encourage them to follow lines on a floor or in tiles if they exist.
5. Extension and lunge. Proper body position, use of the off-hand, explaining overextension such.
Here's where I put the weapons back in their hand and explain target. We start people off in foil, so it's easy to remember. Then, we play the "three advances" game.
Fencer A has three advances and a lunge. They have to lunge and hit the opponent, but they have up to three advances to cover distance and lunge. Fencer B has unlimited retreats to get out of the way. If Fencer A's attack fails, Fencer B gets their three lunges to attack. And so on and so forth until someone gets a touch.
The game teaches distance, footwork, and thinking, and it's a great way to use what you've learned. Everytime I have the newbies do it, they end up laughing and having fun because they're usually fencing their friends.
And then I end the lesson.
Group Epee Lesson Plan 
Linear Mode
