About Our School

What is Street Defense ?

Jeff Santella's is simply the most comprehensive and complete martial arts system - incorporating the attributes of the world's most recognized combat concepts, and dedicated to teaching Awareness, Mind-Body Fitness, and the development of defensive strategies and techniques that best suit an individual.

What is Muay Thai ?

Muay Thai is a hard martial art from Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. It is similar to other Indochinese styles of kickboxing, namely pradal serey from Cambodia, tomoi from Malaysia, lethwei from Myanmar and Muay Lao from Laos. Descended from muay boran, Muay Thai is Thailand's national sport.

Thai boxing has been around for over a thousand years. However, it can be traced back using records to 400 years ago in the former capital of Thailand known as Ayuthaya. Various forms of kickboxing have long been practiced throughout mainland Southeast Asia.

What is Brazilian Jui-Juitsu ?

Brazilian Jui-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting. The art was derived from the Japanese martial art of Kodokan judo in the early 20th century, which was itself developed from a number of schools (or Ryu) of Japanese jujutsu in the 19th century.

It teaches that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant by using leverage and proper technique—most notably by applying joint-locks and chokeholds to defeat the other person. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be trained for sport grappling tournaments (gi and no-gi) and mixed martial arts

What is Karate-do ?

Karate-do, meaning “way of the empty hand” was developed in Okinawa, Japan.  Karate-do is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks, restraints, throws, and vital point strikes are taught in some styles. Also Karate-do is famous for its kata's.  Karate-do teaches ethical principles. Gichin Funakoshi "Father of Modern Karate" His legacy rests in a document containing his philosophies of Karate-do training now referred to as the niju kun, or "twenty precepts"

http://youtu.be/dBFe54glhTs

What is Judo ?

Judo is  jūdō?, meaning "gentle way" is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Dr Kano Jigoro. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an opponent to submit by joint locking or by executing a strangle hold or choke. Strikes and thrusts by hands and feet as well as weapons defenses are a part of judo, but only in pre-arranged forms (kata) and are not allowed in judo competition or free practice (randori

File:Jigoro Kano and Kyuzo Mifune.jpg

What is MMA ? (mixed martial arts)

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full contact combat sport that allows a wide variety of fighting techniques and skills, from a mixture of martial arts and non-martial arts traditions, to be used in competitions. The rules allow the use of both striking as well as grappling techniques, both while standing and on the ground. Such competitions allow martial artists of different backgrounds to compete.

The history of modern MMA competition can be traced to mixed style contests throughout Europe, Japan and the Pacific Rim during the early 1900s; the Gracie family's vale tudo martial arts tournaments in Brazil starting in the 1920s; and early mixed martial arts-themed professional wrestling matches (known as Ishu Kakutougi Sen in Japan) hosted by Antonio Inoki in Japan in the 1970s.

What is Capoeira ?

 an Afro-Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, music, and dance. It was created in Brazil by African slaves by mixing the many fighting styles from many of their tribes, sometime after the sixteenth century. It was developed in the region of Quilombo dos Palmares, located in the Brazilian state of Alagoas, which was the state of Pernambuco before dismemberment, and has had great influence on Afro-Brazilian generations, with strong presence in the states of Bahia, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Participants form a roda, or circle, and take turns either playing musical instruments (such as the Berimbau), singing, or ritually sparring in pairs in the center of the circle. The sparring is marked by fluid acrobatic play, feints, takedowns, and with extensive use of leg sweeps, kicks, and headbutts.

What is Combat Conditioning ?

Combat Conditioning is a combination of high intensity cardio, fitness and martial techniques, blended together to ready your body for the amount of stress that would be put on you mentally and physically from a real life combat scenario.

 

What is Weapons class?

Weapons class is combination of using various martial weapons , such as the bo staff, katana, nunchaku, and tonfa etc. All of which come from various cultures.

What is Archery ?

Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity. One who practises archery is typically known as an "archer" or "bowman," and one who is fond of or an expert at archery can be referred to as a "toxophilite."


 

TOP 10 REASONS STREET DEFENSE® IS A LEADER
IN THE "MARTIAL ARTS" INDUSTRY:

1) Cross training in multiple arts (12) to "expert" levels.

2) "Private school" format limits enrollment, elevating the standard of teaching through one on one attention. Emphasis on "Moral Character Development" foremost to combat skills.  Producing happy, motivated, respectful citizens in the community. "NO EGOS"

3) You never pay promotion fees. Members EARN their belt rank, not PURCHASE them. Also be warned, there are occasional DEMOTIONS for bad attitudes or grades, etc.

4) 15 Certified Instructors and 5 Associate Masters skilled in history, law, fitness, safety and philosophy. (not to be confused with being a product of a "Belt factory")

5) The most extensive "Black Belt" instructor program being currently recognized by 5 Masters from different styles.

6) Open Communication between parents, school teachers, and Street Defense® Instructors to ensure your child's needs are met.

7) A scholarship program to insure that wealth never interferes with someone's desire to learn our art.

8) A full time facility. 3 separate training areas including a padded Kickboxing / Grappling arena.

9) A unique system of Martial Arts that requires only a short amount of time to become "street worthy" in almost any situation!

10) Street Defense® founder and Grand Master Jeff Santella is a 32 year martial arts veteran and recognized worldwide as a pioneer in "cross training theory" and a Martial Art scientist eager to share with all who seek the Street Defense® way.

     * 3 time World Hall of Fame Member (Soke'ship, Christian, Black Belt)
     * Current P.K.A. (Professional Kickboxing Association) State Middleweight          Champion
     * 25 year police officer and academy instructor
     * Shihan Jeff has earned 6 Black Belt recognition certificates in multiple arts.

WHAT DOES Street Defense® EXPECT FROM ITS STUDENTS?

We do recognize that you have a choice in martial arts schools. Do not let convenience or hearsay be the deciding factor on school choice. There are Dojos on every corner, do not confuse a quality school with a "BELT FACTORY". Look out for the schools who sell you belts on a predetermined time frame! Some schools depend on testing fees to stay open. We at Street Defense® rely on our quality programs.

"The right school makes all the difference"

You must be willing to accept martial arts not only in your classes, but in your every day life. A large part of the Martial Arts is fitness: mental and physical. You will develop and maintain a high level of physical fitness as previously defined, and mental discipline will be acquired through concentration and focus drills.  An adult student will be able to reduce stress .  Children and young adults will learn Self-Discipline, Self-Control, Respect, and many other attributes to become happy productive citizens.

As an Street Defense® student you will learn numerous combat concepts and an infinite number of techniques.  You will be a complete, well rounded Martial Artist. From preschool to senior citizen, you will become more respectful and confident through Martial Arts, as well as learning life lessons (manners, hygiene, diet, fitness, safety). All students will be encouraged to compete in tournaments to develop good sportsmanship and self-esteem.   lf you choose to compete your choices are many: Boxing, Kickboxing, Sport Karate, Ju-Jitsu, U.F.C., Firearms, etc.  Our younger student grades must be maintained to continue as a member at Street Defense, and all members are subject to dismissal from the Street Defense® at any time.

In a short time all members of the institute will learn how to control stress, stay in shape, and deal with any street defense situation, perhaps by avoidance, negotiation or contact. With a lot of dedication and hard work our students will be skilled in long range combat (weaponry), mid-range (boxing, kicking), close range (grappling and joint locks) day or night, one attacker or several!