Vanguard Performance Lab
Where champions are coached by champions.
This is our most elite program — designed for debaters who want to win at the highest level. Led by nationally successful coaches, the Vanguard Lab blends firsthand competitive insight with evidence-based training methods to push you to your full potential. Every drill, strategy session, and feedback loop is tailored to optimize performance, sharpen decision-making, and deliver results when it matters most. Admission is selective. Apply now to earn your spot.
Join the Private Team Slack
A structured, high-performance team environment with access to:
● Practice Debates with peer and coach feedback
● Live Q&A Chat for fast answers and strategy support
● Two Weekly Lectures led by top instructors
● Shared Dropbox with cutting-edge prep and resources
● Asynchronous Drills (students take charge of feedback + accountability)
● Weekly Socratic Seminars to sharpen critical thinking and argument depth
● Evidence-Based Habit Systems to optimize prep, mindset, and performance
Full Year Pricing
$3600
(22% Off, $1000 Saved)
Bring a Friend Discount
Only for new Vanguard students (not enrolled last year)
Sign up by July 1st
Both friends get $300 off
Only applies to full year subscription
Per Topic Pricing
| Sept–Oct | $1200 |
| Nov–Dec | $1200 |
| Jan–Feb | $1600 |
| Mar-April | $300 |
| TOC | $600 |
Consulting
Just need help for one tournament? No long-term commitment required.
Free Strategy Session
Meet with a coach for 30 minutes — no cost, no strings attached. We’ll walk through your goals, review your prep, and help you identify how to improve your tournament game plan.
Full-Service Consulting ($400)
Want a full strategy tailored to you? One of our coaches will meet with you, review your files, build drills, and create a complete tournament plan — with clear, actionable next steps to maximize your performance.
Group Class Options
Fundamentals of speaking (Middle School)
Before you can win a debate, you need to speak with confidence. This course builds the foundations of public speaking — clarity, tone, body language, and organization — in a supportive, low-stress environment. Perfect for middle schoolers who want to become stronger communicators or get ready for debate down the line.
$350 (12 weeks)
Meet 30 minutes a week
Fundamentals of debate (Middle School)
Learn the building blocks of great debating — argument structure, refutation, weighing, and speaking style. This course is a perfect introduction for students new to debate or looking to sharpen their core skills. Taught by experienced coaches who break things down step by step, so students gain confidence fast.
Debate Fundamentals 12 weeks -> $700
1 hour a week
Intermediate debate (Middle School)
Ready to take the next step? This course prepares middle school students to compete in their first tournament by the end of the program. We focus on traditional and lay debate formats, helping students sharpen their arguments, improve delivery, and build round-ready confidence through both group practice and personalized coaching.
Debate Intermediate 12 weeks -> $1500
1 group class a week, 1 lesson
Advanced debate (Middle and High School)
Designed for students aiming to compete at the national or varsity level, this course teaches advanced argumentation and progressive debate skills. From spreading and theory to advanced strategy and in-round adaptation, students get intensive practice each week through live debates, targeted lessons, and high-level drills.
Debate Advanced 12 weeks -> $2000
1 practice debate a week, 1 group class, 1 lesson
FAQ'S
Frequent ask questions
Do you provide preround coaching?
Yes — pre-round coaching is available exclusively to Performance Lab students as an add-on. Pricing depends on the tournament. Reach out to us for details and availability.
What types of debate formats do you coach?
Lincoln Douglas
What experience does your coaching staff bring to the table?
Our coaching staff has guided students to over 200 bids and championship titles at top tournaments including Stanford, Harvard, Yale, and the Glenbrooks Invitational. Each coach brings firsthand competitive experience and a proven record of success, ensuring our students are prepared to excel at every level.
What age groups or skill levels do you work with?
5th-12th Grade.
What will I learn in your coaching sessions?
In every session, you’ll learn how to win rounds with strategy, clarity, and confidence. Our coaching is hands-on and personalized — whether you’re just starting out or aiming for national titles, we tailor feedback to your level and goals. You’ll leave each session better prepared, more confident, and ready to succeed.
Do you offer one-on-one coaching, group classes, or both?
We offer both one-on-one coaching and group classes. We value flexibility and efficiency — group sessions are great for collaborative skills like round vision and refutation drills, while one-on-one coaching lets us focus deeply on your individual progress and speaking abilities.
Why should I join the team?
Debate is a collaborative activity — and having a strong team behind you is a major advantage. A team gives you people to prep with, strategize alongside, and push you to grow. It’s an arms race, and many hands make light work. Beyond the competitive edge, it’s a network: a space to meet others who are just as curious and driven as you are.
How do you help students prepare for competitions?
We take a strategic, curriculum-driven approach to prep. Our coaching team works behind the scenes to identify the best arguments on every topic. From there, we craft targeted lessons that help debaters quickly internalize key ideas. Students then bring the strategy to life through focused research and practice speeches — turning tournament performance into something close to scripted perfection.
Is coaching online or in-person?
All of our coaching is online with the exception of in-person pre-round coaching at tournaments
What does it cost?
please check the Services Page.
Does Vanguard Provide Free Resources?
Yes! Our mailing list is free. Vanguard outreach, where we have free lectures, blogs, lessons, debates and competitions is also free.