Decisive Defense Academy
A Christian Martial Arts Academy in Texas Bringing Defense to You
Welcome To
Decisive Defense Academy
Welcome to Decisive Defense Academy (DDA) – a Christ-centered martial arts academy that is going mobile! You don’t have to come to us for training – now we come to you! DDA offers classes around the DFW Metroplex. We currently offer our services in Dallas, Farmers Branch, Carrollton, Coppell, Flower Mound, Highland Village and Lewisville. The self-defense lessons we teach are based on our foundational art of Kajukenbo – which consists of elements from Karate, Judo, Jiu-Jutsu, Kenpo, Kung-Fu and Boxing. Kajukenbo is considered the first mixed martial art. What we teach is for everyone, from beginners to more experienced practitioners, from school-aged children to corporate executives looking to learn how to protect themselves. As you learn and grow with us, you’ll not only improve physically, but will also improve your mental/emotional and spiritual health. DDA takes a “whole student” approach to our training with the goal of developing the student inside and out, not just focusing on teaching them how to “fight”.
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Reach out about Free Trials!
Interested in getting a free trial with Decisive Defense Academy? Make sure to reach out and see what we have to offer!
About This School
Our School
Decisive Defense Academy is a martial arts academy that carries strong Christian values to every martial arts class we lead. Whether you are 4 or 104, we welcome you. No previous experience is necessary and you don’t have to be in tip-top physical shape either. As we stated previously, this is for everyone. We want to help as many people as possible to acquire skills to defend themselves. Every day is approached with an upbeat attitude, inspiring positivity and hard work. Your journey will begin with establishing your “why”. From there, we work to equip you with skills that will allow you an advantageous outcome in any situation you may face, no matter how tough they may be. DDA makes it possible to learn these skills through individualized training from highly experienced instructors. Are you ready to take that important first step? Then join us at Decisive Defense Academy!
History
Our journey to provide the best Christ-centered martial arts training in the DFW area, and eventually, the rest of Texas started back in 2013. Decisive Defense Academy (DDA) started in the garage of the owner and founder, Professor Jose Vargas. His goal was to equip and empower people through the many lessons he learned from Kajukenbo from the time he started in Puerto Rico in 1991. DDA’s teaching approach has evolved over the years to become the whole student approach it has become known for. We don’t just focus on the physical aspect of martial arts training, but on all the aspects of each student – spirit, soul and body. The academy’s reach has continued to grow with the addition of one of Prof. Vargas’ black belt students, Sibak Brien Cooper, as an instructor. Though the approach has evolved, the goal remains the same as we travel around Texas: To help equip anyone interested in becoming the best version of themselves physically, mentally/emotionally and spiritually through the skills learned from Kajukenbo.
Reach out about Private Martial Arts Lessons!
Are you looking for Private martial arts lessons around Dallas, Lewisville, Farmers Branch, or anywhere else nearby? Then make sure to fill out our form and we’ll work on finding a time that works for you!
Meet the
Decisive Defense Academy Team
Our instructional team features Sibak Brien Cooper and Professor Jose Vargas. The two are experienced martial artists who have reached advanced black belt level in the art of Kajukenbo. Want to know more? Check out their bios to learn more about them and their martial arts background!
Sibak Brien Cooper
Brien S. Cooper is an instructor at Decisive Defense Academy with a martial arts journey that began in 2005 in Chicago, Illinois. He trained in Tracy’s Kenpo under Kevin Johnson at the Art of Self-Defense, earning a 3rd degree Brown Belt by 2008. Along the way, he also explored Systema and American Kenpo.
After relocating to Dallas, Texas, Brien continued his training in American Kenpo under Sifu Rick Fowler. He also has experience in Aikido, having briefly studied under Al Wyatt, a direct student of Sensei Russell Waddell.
Brien now holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Traditional Kajukenbo under Professor Jose R. Vargas, 8th Degree Black Belt and founder of Decisive Defense Academy, where Brien currently teaches.
Professor Jose Vargas
Jose R. Vargas is the founder and Senior Instructor of Decisive Defense Academy, with over 30 years of martial arts experience. His journey began in 1992 in Puerto Rico, training in traditional “old school” Kajukenbo under the renowned Grand Master Jose L. “Cherry” Ortega. After leaving the island in 1998, he continued his training adding Kajukenbo Kosho-Ryu Kenpo and, eventually, Tomiki-Ryu Aikido under the guidance of respected instructors including GM Ortega and Sensei Russell Waddell.
Mr. Vargas arrived in Texas in 2010, became a student of Senior Grand Master Michael D. Park in 2011 (whose lineage includes direct ties to Sijo Emperado, the founder of Kajukenbo, through Grand Masters Jim Kaleohano Roberts, Aleju Reyes, Alii Don Nahoolewa, and Richard Peralta) and was introduced to the Park System of Kajukenbo.
He currently holds an 8th Degree Black Belt (Professor) in Kajukenbo Kenpo Karate and Kajukenbo Kenpo Jujutsu, as well as a Brown Belt in Tomiki-Ryu Aikido. Professor Vargas teaches at DDA Headquarters in Denton, TX, and oversees a branch school in Lewisville, TX (headed by Sibak Brien Cooper) and an affiliate school in Franklin, TN (Bulldog Martial Arts headed by Sigung Jake McCalmon).
Explore Our
Programs
We offer classes for all ages, skill sets and physical abilities. We offer private classes, formal classes, team-building events, corporate executive classes, practical self-defense workshops. All our programs are based on our foundational art of Kajukenbo, which contains elements of several martial arts, including: Karate, Judo, Jiu-Jutsu, Kenpo, Aikido, Western & Chinese Boxing (Kung-Fu), Practical Self-Defense Techniques, Elements from other styles, and Self-defense with weapons (firearms, sticks, knives, etc.)
Practical Self-Defense
Our self-defense classes are a workshop-based program. It is not tied to any specific martial art, but rather consists of practical self-defense concepts. You’ll learn how to handle real-world attacks and how to counter them, such as choke-holds, grabs, or even something as common as hair pulling. This is fully designed to keep you safe!
Private Classes
Our private classes are for everyone! If you are just starting, want to continue your training, want to learn self-defense due to traveling for business or official purposes, we will help you achieve your goals!
Traditional Kajukenbo
Looking to start formal martial arts training with rank certifications to eventually achieve the level of black belt? Then join our traditional Kajukenbo class, which takes you from beginner to black belt in our foundational art of Kajukenbo. You’ll acquire skills by learning techniques and movements in a more structured and paced environment and will receive rank certifications as you achieve the different levels of learning.
Advanced Level Kajukenbo
These classes are for those who have already achieved the rank of black belt in Kajukenbo and want to continue to achieve higher levels of learning or those who have a black belt in another art and want to add Kajukenbo to their martial arts journey.
Parties
All ages can have fun and learn practical self defense skills with DDA. Book a party or team building event for your family, friends, co-workers or employees.
Reach out about Free Trials!
Interested in getting a free trial with Decisive Defense Academy? Make sure to reach out and see what we have to offer!
Learn More About
Decisive Defense Academy
Select Each Box Below to See More Videos:
Title: As a Woman What Has Defense Training Helped You With?
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Title: As a Male What Has Defense Training Helped You With?
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Title: Self Defense Class At Decisive Defense Academy
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Title: Self-Defense Strategy with Sifu Jose
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Contact Us!
We are proud to be one of the few, if not the only academy in the DFW area that travels to you. We currently serve the cities of Lewisville, Flower Mound, Carrollton, Coppell, Farmers Branch, and Dallas with hopes to grow the list of cities we provide our services to. Call or email us with any questions you have!