Our effective martial art enables you to explore every aspect of martial arts training and self-defence.
You will learn how to defend yourself from a distance by applying our leg & arm striking combinations. Through training you will obtain the ability to protect yourself in a restricted area with wrist & arm lock techniques. You will also learn how to protect yourself from the ground as well as many other situations.
By incorporating all of these techniques, Tatakai is beneficial to everyone.
Whilst lesson topics can vary considerably from class to class and often focus on just one aspect of our syllabus at a time, for example joint-locks or striking techniques, a typical lesson can be summarised as partner/opponent based training. Students partner up and by emulating an example conflict situation, learn how to apply and counter striking techniques, throws and takedowns or locking techniques until a hold or finishing move can be applied at ground level or whilst still standing.
Tatakai Martial Arts Academy was founded by Roger Coole and Scott Webb. Tatakai Martial Arts was created with the blessing and assistance of their instructors Terry Hobart and Michael Coole who co-founded & developed Judo Kwon in the late 1970s. Together they were two of the first pioneers of the mixed martial arts concept in Australia and Judo Kwon opened as the first freestyle/mixed martial art in Adelaide.
Judo Kwon as the name suggests is a blend of Judo and Tae Kwon Do. Whilst acknowledging both arts as having a great number of useful techniques, Michael and Terry realised that both also had distinct shortcomings when it came to using them on their own as a practical means of defence outside of the Dojo. They took the knowledge they had gained from their high Dan grades in both Tae Kwon Do and Judo and combined it into one syllabus.
Over the years several of Tatakai's instructors at the academy simultaneously trained in other martial arts including Hapkido, Aikido, Ju Jitsu, Kung Fu and Kickboxing. Whilst some of these influences can be seen during regular lessons they do not form part of the official Tatakai syllabus. Tatakai is a very complete martial art which takes a long time to learn and master. Tatakai therefore, is not an art for someone simply wishing to obtain the bragging rights of being able to say they achieved a black belt in a short period of time but rather for the person wishing to learn a style which will help them defend themselves in every conceivable situation one may face in a conflict.
Today Tatakai is led by Aaron Coole & his wife Shianne Coole. Aaron is the son of Roger Coole and nephew of Michael Coole as well as a brother to Scott Webb. Our family has been involved in martial arts for many years and running its own martial art school since the 1970s with Michael Coole leading the way when he opened Judo Kwon. Even now the tradition continues with Aaron and Shianne's children also beginning their own martial arts journey. We are proud to say defending one's self and instilling good moral family values have always been and continue to be the driving force behind Tatakai Martial Arts Academy.
Co-founder of Tatakai, Roger Coole & current principle instructors Aaron & Shianne Coole were involved with the Australian Martial Arts Association for many years, Tatakai joined the AMAA shortly after they were formed in the 80's.
During that time they all held esteemed positions such as Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President and at different times, both Aaron and Shianne held the position of President. As part of their involvement, they all assisted with the organising and hosted events that the A.M.A.A. regularly conducted such as Regional, State and National tournaments as well as inter-club training days. The AMAA also afforded them the opportunity to become internationally recognised judges and referees for martial arts tournaments.
Tatakai Martial Arts Academy prides itself on being involved in their community, our instructors are often asked to participate in info & 'come & try' sessions, we have worked closely with organisations such as Anglicare, The Smith Family, Dept. of Education, Junction Australia, Goodstart Early Learning Centres, DV groups and also private organisations. Shianne is an accredited coach with the Australian Sports Commission and for many years provided free martial arts sessions in schools until the initiative was redeveloped. In addition to these, we often run short self defence courses in many Adelaide locations.
