Free training sessions for beginners
Nothing to Pay!
Nothing to Lose – Everything to Gain
If you are not sure if the deadly art of jujitsu is for you, then come along and try it out for one week, train for FREE, without having to pay a penny.
You will learn some astonishing truly self-defence skills. We will also teach you how to fight on the ground. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Choosing to train with us could be the first step that will totally change your life. This is the perfect way to try this kind of training without paying a penny for the privilege.
The videos below show the techniques that beginners learn in order to get their first belt as well as a video showing more advanced techniques.
Suitable for Men Women and Kids!
Jujitsu is the martial art of choice for Women’s Self Defence and is suited to children wanting to learn safe defensive skills. In the kids class, children are given help and advice on how to avoid being bullied.
It is suitable for all ages, from 7 to 70+ years. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Choosing to train with us could be the first step that will totally change your life.
The training is fun, both students and instructors are always helpful, courteous and friendly, and you will definitely make some real friends.
Advanced Techniques
Red Belt Techniques
Free class to get started with us.
This free trial week is designed to help you take the first step towards your Jiu-Jitsu journey with us.
Everyone is welcome to come and try a class regardless of your experience level.
While there, we encourage you to speak with others and get their opinions about our style. We are a friendly and chatty bunch of Ninjas so don’t be surprised if we make you feel right at home at your first visit!
What to Expect
Arrive 10 minutes before the start time and introduce yourself to the instructor
You will take part in a 60-min (approx) Jiu-Jitsu Class with stretches, warm-ups, and some introductory techniques.
After the class, the instructor will answer any questions you may have and tell you a little more about the way we operate
What to Wear
Comfortable T-shirts, gym shorts and jogging pants are fine.
Make sure your finger and toenails are clean and trimmed and that your hygiene is up to scratch. Long hair is best worn in a ponytail.
You should also remove or tape up any piercings to prevent injuries.
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Latest News
Fantastic Black Belt Grading Stunning Jujitsu Techniques! Congratulations to our two new amazing Junior Black Belts James & Mikey who did fantastically well and passed their Junior Black Belt Grading It takes hard work, discipline, maturity, fitness and a training ethic second to none to achieve the level of excellence that they demonstrated throughout their grading techniques. Very well deserved…
Soke James McDade 10th Dan Hanshi A life-time in Martial Arts Professor James McDade has dedicated his entire life to teaching Jitsu. He is internationally recognised as one of the leading exponents of this martial art and has trained since the 1960s. Prof J McDade first introduction to sport started in his school days at an early age by participating…
1st Dan Belt Black In Jujitsu. Before I started Jiu-Jitsu, I had practiced Judo for some years, being introduced to it at school when I was around 12 years old. Growing up with two older brothers, I had always found it essential to have to defend myself! I first saw Ju-Jitsu in action back in 1989, when I went to…
2nd Dan Belt Black In Jujitsu & Bedfordshire Police Officer Being both deterministic as well as confident I have found Ju-Jitsu to be a natural choice for me. I was eleven years old when I first heard about martial arts, and his had been heavily influenced by one of the greatest fighters, Bruce Lee. At a young age I had…
ITV at Total Self Defence Ltd ITV London News popped into our North London Dojo to interview Sensei Ibush, 5th Dan Japanese Jujitsu master, training with his two daughters, Bleta and Londrita. The daughters were spearheading the ThisGirlCan advertising campaign by Sport England aimed at getting more and more women to take up sports Very well done to Sensei Ibush…
2nd Dan Jujitsu & 1st Dan Tae Kwondo, My name is John Armstrong and I have been training in jiu-jitsu with Total Self defence under the instruction of Prof. Stephen McDade since the year 2000 and I have reached 2nd degree black belt. I feel that Ju-Jitsu is not only an art of self-defence but is a very enjoyable training…
1st Dan Belt Black In Jujitsu. I was born 1995 in North London. At present I am a student at university studying for a BSc in Physiotherapy. I currently live with my parents in Enfield, Herts. I got hooked on jujitsu from the age of 7. My next door neighbour at the time was one of the instructors at the…
Protecting Yourself on the Street Jaw Dropping Self Defence Training for Women City streets are becoming ever more dangerous places for women. Jujitsu as a self defence system of awesome effectiveness and is highly recommended for women as it relies on leverage rather than strength. Awesome Video of Women’s Self Defence Techniques In today’s society it is essential that all…
1st Dan Belt Black In Jujitsu I have always had a keen interest in training in the martial arts and as a nervous wreck, it took confidence that I never knew I had to walk into a club for the first time. That first step is a big one. I sampled Karate, Judo and Kung Fu when I was younger but…
Stunning Black Belt Grading – Well Done! Jujitsu at it’s very best! Congratulations to our 6 new junior black belts and all those that took in this grading after missing last months. The standard was excellent with all techniques performed to an astonishingly good level. Well done team – you made your parents and your instructors very proud!
3rd Dan Belt Black In Jujitsu. I started my Ju-Jitsu career quite late (compared to most), in my early 30’s (not the 1930’s!). A friend of mine was a Black Belt at a club in Wanstead and one brave day, I joined the ranks of the white belts as a novice at this Club My Sensei was Jeff Pelta – an…
3rd Dan Black Belt Hitchin I started training in martial arts when I was 9 years old where I achieved an orange belt in Tang Soo Do and a first grade in Muay Thai, I only trained for about a year, but it always felt like I had unfinished business. I discovered Total Self-Defence Ltd when I was in my…
1st Dan Belt Black In Jujitsu. I first became interested in Martial Arts in 1987 when I left Cheshire to go to University in London. I felt quite vulnerable in the big bad city and took a self-defence course through college. I was very impressed with the simplicity and effectiveness of the basic techniques we were taught, I was also…
I am from Kosovo, and while I was in my country I have been training in Judo and Karate for more than 5 years. But when I came to England I was very interested to start a new style, which is Ju-Jitsu.
Since I started training in Ju-Jitsu I have realised that I have got more confidence in myself and feel I can handle any situation far better than ever I could before because in Ju-Jitsu we use the power of the attacker and we learn close and distance self defence fighting skills including grappling etc
Brilliant Bullying Advice At Total Self Defence, we believe the best defence you can have against a bully is to be truly confident that you are strong in mind, body, and spirit. A positive self-image will lessen the likelihood that you will be targeted by a bully in the first place. Using martial arts to protect you must always be…
Soke Richard Morris, founder of Jiu Jitsu International, previous founding member of WJJF with Soke Robert Clark (9th Dan Jiu Jitsu), and director of BJJA, was one of the UK’s greatest exponents of Jiu Jitsu and responsible for popularising the art in the west and bringing expert instructors together from across the world…
Excellent End of Year Grading Awesome Demonstration of Dedication & Techniques Congratulations to another 2 new black belts this year, 9 new black belts in total for Total Self Defence Ltd. Paul Ridley and Kieron Hanlon did excellently. It’s been a 10-year journey for Paul – a fantastic achievement. Kieron did it in five years – another amazing achievement –…
2nd Dan Black Belt Hitchin. Like most of us who were very young in the 1970’s I was exposed to the magic of Kung Fu that Bruce Lee brought to our whole generation. Later this exposure was made even richer by Jackie Chan’s own comedy interpretation on the big screen. Despite being influenced by these hugely influential practitioners; I did…
6th M.A.T.E Congress. Congratulations to Soke Roger Wilkes on being presented with his 10th Dan
March 2020 Congratulations to our 6 new yellow belts and Andy, now a Green belt. Excellent Grading at the Stotfold club (Hitchin).
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Total Self Defence
Top International Chief Instructors
Kyoshi Steve McDade
Steve McDade is an instructor of international repute and is a founding member of TSD, having trained for over 40 years
Soke Jim McDade
Jim McDade is an instructor of international repute and is a founding member of TSD, having trained for over 60 years
FAQs
- +What is TSD Ju Jitsu?
- TSD Ju-Jitsu is a martial arts club established in the 1980s, providing quality martial arts instruction to adults and children in North London and Hertfordshire. The style we teach is based on traditional Japanese Ju-Jitsu, which has been modernised to include effective self-defence for city streets.
- +What will I learn?
- Our syllabus is very broad-based, as jujitsu was the original ’mixed martial art‘ before that term existed. You will have the opportunity to learn devastating throws, powerful kicks and punches, and methods of controlling and subduing an aggressor using a variety of joint locks, chokes and strangles. You will also learn techniques to fight and defend yourself on the ground. All in a totally safe, controlled and co-operative environment.
Once you reach black belt level traditional Japanese weapons are taught including katana, bo, nunchaku, kama, tonfa and more.
- +Will I be out of my depth?
- Absolutely not. In fact, you may pick up our techniques faster as you will have no pre-conceived ideas from training in other styles. We will introduce you gently and gradually to the syllabus, which is designed to have an appropriate learning curve for absolute beginners.
Remember, even our black belts were beginners once! Many of our current students have done or continue to train in other arts, but equally, many come to us as absolute beginners.
- +Am I too young/old?
- We have taught people from the age of 5 years, up to students 70+ years. Several of our black belts have done black belt gradings in their fifties and sixties, so no, you aren’t!
- +Is Jujitsu good for women and smaller people?
- Jujitsu is one of THE BEST martial arts you can learn as a female or smaller person. We have had several female instructors and many female students over the years. As Ju Jitsu uses leverage, timing and the laws of physics to overcome an opponent instead of brute strength, it is ideal for smaller, lighter people and for women’s self-defence.
- +Will I feel intimidated?
- Definitely not. We’re not that kind of club! We foster an atmosphere of friendliness and co-operation, and all our senior students are expected to help out our beginners. They are normal people like you, who have just been training a bit longer.
- +Do I have to book?
- Please get in touch with us before your first (free) session so we can answer your questions and advise you when to come along.
- +Who teaches the classes?
Most classes are lead and overseen by either Sensei Steve McDade 8th Dan or Sensei Ibush 5th Dan. Our main instructors are NVQ qualified, first aid trained, insured and Enhanced DBS checked.
- +Will I get hurt?
Jujitsu is an incredibly safe sport, even though we are practising potentially dangerous techniques. We instil safe training practices, with every member taking responsibility for their safety and that of their training partner.
Injuries are very rare, but as with all sport, there is an element of risk. We have a good safety track record and find jujitsu to be much safer than team sports such as football, rugby etc.
- +What should I wear for my first class?
For your first session, you just need to wear a T-shirt and shorts or tracksuit bottoms. Please remove or tape over any piercings and remove jewellery and watches, for your own and your partner’s safety.
If you’ve previously done another martial art and have a uniform, feel free to wear that. Once you join as a member, you can order a club gi (uniform) from your instructor.