Modern Combatives and Self Defence Academy

Modern Combatives and Self Defence Academy MCSDA is a registered Charity providing Self Defence Martial Arts classes for children and adults.

Specific classes for Women's Self Protection, One day Fear Fighter Workshops and Martial Arts Courses on Self Defence. We offer martial arts for self defence classes for men, women and children of all ages. Based in Derby, contact us today to pre-book your free trial lesson.

08/06/2026

DAN Gradings Saturday 6th June.
It was my honour to sit on our grading panel and conduct Cadet Black Belt and Senior Dan Gradings. Every candidate was in absolutely top form and it was a very impressive watch. Congratulations to the following.
James Rowley - Cadet Black Belt
Xan Griffiths-Brown upgrade from Cadet black belt to 1st Dan.
Luke Samuels 1st Dan
Tim Davies 1st Dan
Ellen Rowley 1st Dan
Whilst all the candidates were excellent, Ellen was outstanding. Congratulations to you all. We could not conduct grade tests without the Instructors who help teach, ensure standards are met and develop and encourage our students.
Very many thanks to Mark Cooper 8th Dan for running the day. Thanks to Rick Martin 4th Dan for sitting on the panel alongside me. Thank you to Phil Walker 4th Dan for uke duties and to Christian Topliss-Grace for his encouragement and support particularly to Xan and Ellen.
Extra special thank you’s to those who not only acted as Ukes but also donned the RedMan, this is a particularly difficult task to do once, these guys stepped up three times!!! So my most sincere thanks and gratitude to Kevin Stringer 7th Dan,
Paul Tarbuck 5th Dan, Ash Birkinshaw 4th Dan and Ryan Wiley 1st Dan respectively.
It really is a team effort at MCSDA and I am just the figurehead for a fantastic group of skilled and dedicated martial artists. So once again thank you to everyone involved and congratulations to everyone once again.
Gary Stringer 10th Dan Meijin Lead Director MCSDA
Pics to follow once I have any!!!

25/05/2026

Heat warning!! It’s going to be a tad warm tomorrow so dress code club t-shirts if you have them and shorts. Bring water. If you don’t have a club t- shirt just wear a t-shirt it’s more important not to overheat.
See you on the mats

17/05/2026

What a day yesterday as MCSDA hosted our fourth Haru Keiko. Instructors for the day were, Stephen Grayston Meijin President of Kodo Butoku Renmei , Bill Stockey Meijin Vice President, Tony Cox - Shindo Ryu Karate, Jacob Sibley - Bu Jutsu, John Johnston - Adaptive Karate, Jessica Stringer-Bodin - Iaido and Jo Do and myself. Fantastic attendance with people travelling from all around the U.K. and even Denmark. Plus a special mention to James Hinsley from Muso Shugyo Martial Arts podcast team who did a superb job of filming the instructors and even managed to conduct two interviews!
One with Stringer- Bodin Sensei about her journey in Iaido and Jodo and the other with Margo Bowes and her achievement’s within the MCSDA women’s self defence system ASP and her journey thus far.
Looking forward to watching those!
To everyone who took the time and trouble to attend and contribute to the days success I offer my most sincere thanks, of course the students are vital bit the attending instructors deserve a special thank you for each sharing their unique perspectives on their arts. No ego just each one doing their best to ensure everyone learned something. Thank you is too small a word really. I hope everyone enjoyed the day and got home safe. Until next year - will have a date soon!
G. Stringer lead Director MCSDA

10/05/2026

Haru Keiko - pre-booking is now closed. Limited places available (10) for pay on the day £30 No places available on Iaido Classes.

09/05/2026

What a fantastic day here at MCSDA. On the big mat we hosted the Three Amigos., a well attended and informative course. Meanwhile in the small Dojo four guys were being put through their paces for almost five hours. The result ? Four newly promoted 4th Dans for MCSDA. Congratulations to Ash Birkinshaw, Phil Laing, Phil Walker and Jamie Turner. Many thanks to Mark Cooper, Kevin Stringer, Rick Martin and Paul Tarbuck for sitting on the grade panel and Mark for running a long grading especially. Couldn’t be prouder or happier as a chief instructor. Thank again to everyone involved. Now looking forward to the Haru Keiko next weekend!!

04/05/2026

You can’t teach experience but you can teach from it.
GS 190923

27/02/2026

OFFICIAL ASMAA-SDF ANNOUNCEMENT

Morning all

so, this is to announce that due to some severe health issues and advice from doctors, nurses, friends, family etc. that I (DAVID TURTON) is completely retirong from ALL physical aspects of the martial arts and self-defence.

this means I will NOT be able to attend other clubs gradings, trainings etc in the future.

on my last TWO hospital visits, I have only been able to get afround them in a wheelchair, and can only get around my home using walking sticks. there is a 50/50 chance I could totally in a wheelchair within 12 months.

so that is how matters are now.... THANK YOU

for the 'short' forseeable future I am fairly sure I can continue as before with all the ADMIN jobs within ASMAA-SDF no change.

luckily we have some wonderful officials within our organisation who are MORE than capable of the physical sides of both the martial arts and self-defence. There will be more details regarding this in the near future.

Until we fully organise matters, the following are already set in motion.

ANDY CRITTENDEN 7TH DAN i now HEAD of the SDF system to teach, promote and represent HIS way.

ANGELA SOCKETT 4th Dan Kickboxing and 3rd Dan SDF is DEPUTY HEAD of ASMAA-SDF, Head of both LADIES & KIDS SELF-DEFENCE

PAUL BELL 3RD DAN SDF & 3RD DAN KARATE is also a DEPUTY HEAD of ASMAA-SDF, HEAD OF ALL TRAINING in all aspects.

CHRIS GLANVILLE 3RD DAN KARATE and graded in SDF is a senior area Rep and assistant instructor.

we also have people like GRAHAM LEIGH, LINDSAY SANDERSON, SHANE AND LISA OLIVER, who are becoming deeper and more involved with the running of ASMAA-SDF, so the future is looking solid.

on another positive note MASTER GARY STRINGER 10TH DAN has agreed to act as AREA REP for us in the DERBY areas for which I am grateful... well done mate.

this now gives us yet another 10th Dan in us to back up matters

so not

Starting to sort out hotels and if anyone wants to attend let me know please
02/02/2026

Starting to sort out hotels and if anyone wants to attend let me know please

Address

Unit 4b Masons Place Business Park, Nottingham Rd
Derby
DE216AQ

Opening Hours

Monday 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Tuesday 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Wednesday 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Thursday 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Friday 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Saturday 10:30am - 1pm

Telephone

+441332310946

Website

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