C. O. D. A. was formed in early 1992 by Peter Robins and two friends (Dave Smithers and Paul Child) who had also been his students when Peter was an Instructor in Bujinkan Ninjutsu (1984-89).
C. O. D. A. initially drew influences from the systems the three men had originally trained in - from Japan, Okinawa and China. Additionally, aspects from various law enforcement systems influenced some areas. Finally, there were W.E.Fairbairn’s Defendu, and Shinnoshindo Ryu Jiu Jutsu.
Although the C. O. D. A. methods are clearly influenced by Fairbairn’s teachings, Defendu has been preserved as a separate system, and is not taught in its entirety in the open classes. Shinnoshindo Ryu is also not taught as a separate system.

Peter’s significant and thorough research into Fairbairn & Sykes, the SMP and various WW2 units, fortunately enabled C. O. D. A. to have Mr Bill Pilkington as its Patriarch (for almost 10 years until his death) and Mr Les Martin as its Technical Advisor also for several years. Both men were members of the original Instructor Cadre established by Fairbairn & Sykes in WW2 for training of special units.
Though Peter, Bill and Les have all sadly passed away, their positions within
C. O. D. A. remain permanently allocated as a mark of respect to these three remarkable men.

C. O. D. A. have been guest instructors for the BCA, and on several occasions for the Royal Naval Reserve. Sessions have also been conducted for the London Parks Police and Metropolitan Police. The Basic S. T. A. B. system has been taught to some UK Police Constabularies. C.O.D.A. has also contributed to the present UK National Police Training syllabus.

Whilst some C. O. D. A. members are instructors in their own right, we wish to make our visitors aware that C. O. D. A. does not have affiliated clubs, or authorised instructors other than listed on the C. O. D. A. website. Articles or endorsements of / claims by instructors, clubs, websites etc. to have affiliation to C. O. D. A. may be confirmed by e-mailing the C. O. D. A. website.

C.O.D.A. does NOT and has NEVER operated on a commercial basis.