STICK FIGHTING - Build Focus, Coordination & Confidence
Discover the art of stick fighting for all ages at Family Martial Arts. Improve reflexes, discipline, and have fun in a safe, supportive environment. Try a free taster session today.
Welcome to Stick Fighting
Stick fighting (often based on Filipino Martial Arts like Arnis or Eskrima) is an exciting, practical, and highly rewarding discipline. At Family Martial Arts, we teach it as a modern self‑defence skill and a traditional art – with a strong emphasis on safety, respect, and fun for everyone from juniors to adults. Unlike the impression Hollywood gives, our stick fighting is controlled, padded, and progressive. Beginners start with foam training sticks and gradually advance to rattan, always under close supervision.
Why Add Stick Fighting to Your Martial Arts Journey?
Boosts hand‑eye coordination – The flow of strikes, blocks, and disarms sharpens reaction times.
Builds whole‑body fitness – Footwork, core rotation, and grip strength improve naturally.
Fun & engaging – Many students find the rhythm of stick drills addictive and highly motivating.
Practical self‑defence – Teaches you to defend against everyday objects (umbrella, walking stick, etc.) and improves empty‑hand skills through weapon awareness.
Suitable for families – Children learn impulse control and discipline; adults get a great workout and stress relief.
What a Typical Class Looks Like
1.Warm‑up & mobility (10 min) – Dynamic stretching and coordination games.
2.Basic striking patterns (15 min) – Learning the 12 angles of attack using foam/rattan sticks.
3. Partner drills (20 min) – Controlled block‑strike sequences with padded sticks and safety goggles.
4. Flow drills & disarms (10 min) – Building rhythm and reflexes.
5.Cool‑down & recap (5 min) – Breathing, stretching, and key takeaways.
*All junior classes use foam sticks and head/hand protection. Adult classes begin with foam, progressing to rattan with gum shields and gloves.
Is Stick Fighting Safe for Kids?
Absolutely – when taught properly. Our instructors follow a strict safety protocol:
- Only foam sticks for under‑12s.
- Mandatory soft headgear and hand protection for partner drills.
- No full‑contact sparring until advanced levels (and even then, it’s light contact with full protective gear).
Parents regularly tell us that stick fighting actually calms their children – it channels energy into precise, repetitive motion.
Changing Facility
well equipped and have excellent male and female changing facilities.
Large Parking
Onsite parking is available at the Family Martial Arts Maidstone School.
Safe
Both schools are fully matted with safety matting.
Hygienic
hygienic training and a more enjoyable lesson
READ SOME REVIEWS FROM OUR STUDENTS
"Edwards's focus has vastly improved, and his perseverance has become greater. It has improved his manners and appreciation of his elders. Edward suffers from poor motor skills including his balance. We feel that this course of training is vastly improving both of these aspects. We also feel from watching all of the pupils, that it increases their concentration, and are then able to follow instructions of more than one movement."
"I have been very impressed with the teachings of the martial arts club. It has helped with concentration and learning right from wrong. The staff members are very dedicated and pupils are disciplined but have a lot of fun also. Good friendly atmosphere throughout the establishment and I hope my grandson continues to participate indefinitely."
Quality Excellent I have been with Family Martial Arts for the past 8 years now and feel it has helped me as a person tremendously. I have gained a large amount of physical capability and mental capability from this training. The various instructors at the school have allowed me to excel and shine within the far range of students. All of the instructors at the school are friendly and have vast experience in Tae-Kwon-Do. These two attributes means that anyone (including myself) can gain so many skills from participating at FMA. It is a amazing school with exceptional facilities and large amount of training programs to make any form of person able to train. There is also a great amount of choice in training times. Due to FMA being a full time school it has allowed me to manage my life and get a great kick out of doing martial arts. With their being four weekdays and a Saturday I can train it just makes it that much better for me and other trainees at the club. Making FMA one of the most well rounded clubs anyone could train at.
As mum & son we’ve been attending FMA together for 7 years now-which says it all really. The Special Family class we attend on a Saturday is disciplined, hard work, confidence-building, expertly run but most of all-fun! The school is so friendly and the instructors get to know the children really well, and can keep them motivated all through the lesson. My son has made huge progression through the belts and is so much more confident. Family Martial Arts is exactly that-a Family and we love being a member of it!