Maidstone LED saber fun, training and community
Welcome to Vanguard
We are a friendly academy of saber-loving people learning, sparring and getting better together. Come for the glowing swords, stay for the people and the progress.
New to Vanguard?
First things first: relax.
Vanguard is a genuine martial art and combat sport, but it is not a macho dojo. Nobody will shout at you, make you do press-ups, or expect you to prove yourself.
Some people come for a fun, unusual way to exercise. Some love combat, tournaments and events. Wherever you sit on that spectrum, you are welcome here.
Drills, skills, combat and kata.
A typical session has cooperative movement drills, syllabus skills and optional routes into combat or kata.
See what to expectBring very little.
Comfortable sports clothes, trainers and water are enough. We provide lightsabers and protective kit.
Plan your first visitStart at your own pace.
You will learn core movements, safety principles and the foundations that underpin everything else.
How it startsWhat we're all about
People first. Sabers second. Getting better together always.
Vanguard is a place for fans, beginners, martial artists, performers, curious adults, nervous first-timers and anyone who likes movement, focus and a bit of sci-fi energy.
We train properly, but we keep it welcoming. You will learn footwork, flow, kata, combat and control without needing to be perfect on day one. Everyone starts somewhere, and we help you build from there.
6-8 weeks
Your first foundation block, taken at a friendly human pace.
Pick your flavour
You do not have to know your path yet. Just start.
Foundations
The basics that make everything else safer, smoother and way more fun: stance, strikes, footwork and control.
Try the basicsKata and flow
If you love movement, rhythm and that feeling of things starting to flow, you will probably love this track.
Find your flowCombat
Controlled sparring, timing, distance and the beautiful art of leaving your opponent smiling afterwards.
See combat trainingPerformance
Style combat and choreography for people who want the fight to look brilliant as well as feel safe.
Build the dramaYour path through the academy
There is a pathway, but no pressure cooker.
Our pathway gives you something to aim for: foundation drills, skills, kata levels, combat levels and advanced forms. It is there to help you grow, not to make training scary.
Want to grade? Ask. Want to just enjoy training for a while? Also brilliant. Vanguard is about people becoming better together.
Explore the pathway
Ready to start?
Your first session is free. Start with us.
No saber? No problem. No experience? Perfectly fine. Bring yourself, some water and a willingness to have a go.