The Samurai Cop Self-Defense Academy, Costa Mesa, California

Courses Offered at the Samurai Cop Self-Defense Academy

All courses are held at the Shuyokan Martial Arts Center located at 1360 Logan Ave. #108, Costa Mesa, California.

For registration information, starting dates and to register for the following courses, please call the Shuyokan Martial Arts Center at (714) 557-6372

Sensei David Dye, a 10th Degree Black Belt, served as a police officer for 34 years and has been actively involved in the martial arts since 1962. Read more about the Samurai Cop.


Samurai Cop's Basic Self-Defense

For Youth Ages 6 – 17 (a 12 week course)

This course teaches children how to become more confident through the use of self-defense techniques of Aikido, Judo and Karate Jutsu. Students learn about stranger awareness, how to avoid conflicts, deal with bullies and how to be safe both in the home and on the streets.

Students must complete a minimum of 8 of the 12 classes, recite the Student Code of Honor, and demonstrate two techniques to receive a Certificate of Completion, allowing them to enroll in the Intermediate Course. Comfortable workout clothing is recommended.
(Note: To register for this course, please contact the Costa Mesa Parks and Recreation Department at 714-327-7525.)

Instructor: Sensei David Dye

Visit our Training Schedule page for Class Days and Times.


Samurai Cop's Intermediate Self-Defense

For Youth Ages 6 – 17 (a 12 week course)

Completion of the Samurai Cop's Basic Self-Defense course is required. This course is a continuation of the Basic Course and focuses on intermediate techniques of self-defense. Students will learn how to defend against and deal with more aggressive confrontations, how to recover and defend themselves from being pushed to the ground from behind, and how to defend against multiple attacks by the same attacker.

Students must complete a minimum of 8 of the 12 classes and demonstrate all of the techniques taught in this course to receive a Certificate of Completion allowing them to enroll in the Advanced Course.

Instructor: Sensei Wes Watkins

Visit our Training Schedule page for Class Days and Times.


Samurai Cop's Advanced Self-Defense

For Youth Ages 6 – 17 (a 12 week course)

Completion of the Samurai Cop's Intermediate Self-Defense course is required. Students will learn how to deal with more than one attacker; how to defend against multiple attacks by the same attacker, how to defend themselves in low light situations, and how to escape from being pinned on the ground.

Students must complete a minimum of 8 of the 12 classes and demonstrate all of the techniques taught in this course, wear the Academy Uniform (black Judo training jacket and pants with Academy Patches), and have a copy of the Official Samurai Cop Academy Training Manual.

Those students successfully completing this course will receive a Recruit Certificate of Completion, a Blue Belt and a certificate of 9th Kyu ranking in Shuyokan Aiki-Goshin Jutsu. Recruits will be required to maintain an Academy Notebook and continue training in the Advanced Course to receive their Purple Belt (6th Kyu). Once a recruit is promoted to Purple Belt they will have met the requirements to enroll in the Samurai Cop Black Belt Academy Course.

Instructor: Sensei David Dye

Visit our Training Schedule page for Class Days and Times.


Samurai Cop's Black Belt Academy

For Youth Ages 6 – 17 (a 12 week course)

Completion of the Samurai Cop's Advanced Self-Defense Course, along with its Certificate of Completion, and the rank of Brown Belt (4th Kyu) is required. Recruits attending the Samurai Cop Black Belt Academy 12 week courses must wear the Academy uniform (black Judo training jacket and pants with Academy Patches). Recruits attending Academy classes will continue to test for rank with the goal of attaining their Black Belts in Shuyokan Ryu Aikijutsu. All Samurai Cop Recruits testing for the rank of first degree Black Belt must meet Academy Time In Grade Requirements and be able to demonstrate the required testing techniques in a proficient manner. Black Belt testing will be conducted under the direction of the Shuyokan Dojo, which is the Headquarters for the Samurai Cop Black Belt Academy. This course is an on-going, year round, continuation of the Advanced Course and focuses on the training required to reach the level of Black Belt.

Instructor: Sensei David Dye

Complete listing of all techniques in the curriculum of the Black Belt Academy (from white belt to black belt and all belts in between).

Visit our Training Schedule page for Class Days and Times.


Samurai Cop's Womens' and Girls' Self-Defense Workshop

(A non-martial arts oriented workshop. Offered through the Samurai Cop Self-Defense Academy - Shuyokan Martial Arts Center, Costa Mesa, California)
Ages 12 and up

Self-Defense Awareness is the first step in being prepared to face any physical confrontation. Knowing how to use your personal body weapons such as your hands, feet, elbows and knees could help you to overcome a personal attack. Simple and practical techniques that do no require any physical strength to defend against a personal attack will be taught to participants. Also covered in these workshops are the California laws of self-defense. Regardless of your size, age, or physical limitations, there is something for everyone in this course. It is recommended that participants wear comfortable workout clothing. Participants completing the workshop will receive a Certificate of Completion.

Classes offered upon request for groups of 10 or more students - 3 hours in length.
Please contact the Samurai Cop by phone (714-557-6372) or email.


Hawaiian Lua

Hawaiian Lua is now being taught on Mondays from 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This class is open to all parents of Recruits and any Youth Students or Samurai Cop Recruits holding the rank of 2nd kyu and up. The monthly fee is $15.00 for parents who have students currently enrolled at the dojo. Other students, both adult and youth, who train at the Dojo and wish to train in this class will also be required to pay the monthly fee of $15.00. Students are required to wear black workout pants and black polo shirts with a Lua patch provided and are required to purchase the Lua textbook. Students now have the opportunity to train and test for rank in Kaihewalu Hawiian Lua.


Comments from parents whose children are attending the Samurai Cop Self-Defense Academy:

"The clear expectations, respect, and direction have been terrific. Great assistance and adult-building of self confidence." - Mary M.

"This is providing an excellent service to help protect our children from predators." - Barry A.

"Great class for my son's co-ordination, balance, self-confidence and overall attitude." - Don & Terry S.

"I like the friendliness, structure and discipline of the class." - Alicia R.

"Thank you for your dedication towards children and providing a great class. Thanks for listening to parents as well." - Stephanie R.