Modern Combatives and Self Defence Academy

Rest easy my Sifu and my friend

Just a reminder to everyone: MCSDA will be closed from Thursday 13/08/26 until Tuesday 18/06/26 inclusive. So for those who aren’t sure we are closed on:
Thursday 13/08/26
Friday 14/08/26
Saturday 15/08/26
Sunday 16/08/26
Monday 17/08/26
Tuesday 18/08/26
Enjoy your holidays and look forward to people returning on Thursday 20/08/26!

Question: What does one need to do to gain promotion beyond 4th Dan? I have decided to post this in order to highlight how difficult it is and how much dedication and effort is required to move past the physical Gradings up to 4th Dan.
There is a minimum time stipulation between grades but this may be waived at my discretion however, I have rarely done this as I think it’s important to ally rank with experience and usually experience is gained over time. Another requirement is that the person MUST have taught / assisted on an International Course either here or abroad.
(This condition is mandatory for all ranks 5th and above and will not be waived)
The third requirement is that the candidate must have been seen and assessed by other high ranking instructors outside of MCSDA - usually on UK and International Courses.
The fourth thing is that the candidate must show dedication and support to our organisation by not only teaching, but developing their own skill sets independently and developing themselves within the study of martial arts.
The final and most difficult condition that must be satisfied is that the candidate must be recommended by high ranking instructors outside of MCSDA this ensures that any grades awarded can never be looked at in any way that would devalue the rank awarded. Our grades are registered and recorded within the auspices of the Kodo Butoku Renmei. ( This is mandatory for 5th Dan and above)
So, now you know! Our standards and requirements are amongst the most stringent in the UK and those with rank of 5th Dan and above have, you can be assured, earned the right to their rank. Many people contribute in ways that aren’t always obvious and are known only to me or the other directors. But we do take notice. Thank you for taking the time to read this post and I hope it enhances your understanding of what the belt / rank really means. G Stringer Lead Director MCSDA

Question: What does one need to do to gain promotion beyond 4th Dan? I have decided to post this in order to highlight how difficult it is and how much dedication and effort is required to move past the physical Gradings up to 4th Dan.
There is a minimum time stipulation between grades but this may be waived at my discretion however, I have rarely done this as I think it’s important to ally rank with experience and usually experience is gained over time. Another requirement is that the person MUST have taught / assisted on an International Course either here or abroad.
(This condition is mandatory for all ranks 5th and above and will not be waived)
The third requirement is that the candidate must have been seen and assessed by other high ranking instructors outside of MCSDA - usually on UK and International Courses.
The fourth thing is that the candidate must show dedication and support to our organisation by not only teaching, but developing their own skill sets independently and developing themselves within the study of martial arts.
The final and most difficult condition that must be satisfied is that the candidate must be recommended by high ranking instructors outside of MCSDA this ensures that any grades awarded can never be looked at in any way that would devalue the rank awarded. Our grades are registered and recorded within the auspices of the Kodo Butoku Renmei. ( This is mandatory for 5th Dan and above)
So, now you know! Our standards and requirements are amongst the most stringent in the UK and those with rank of 5th Dan and above have, you can be assured, earned the right to their rank. Many people contribute in ways that aren’t always obvious and are known only to me or the other directors. But we do take notice. Thank you for taking the time to read this post and I hope it enhances your understanding of what the belt / rank really means. G Stringer BEM Lead Director MCSDA

Everyone please check your emails! It’s important! Due to the continued extreme heat I have decided in the interests of safety to cancel the sessions tonight (Friday 26th June) I have been in the academy last night and the thermostat was pushing 40!!! Today (Friday) is set to be even hotter so no classes. I will be down the Academy on Friday to catch those that don’t read emails or don’t see this message or haven’t updated their contact details.
G. Stringer BEM Lead Director MCSDA

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!!!

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

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