Martial Arts For Kids

Saaf_laandon_mo · 29-11-2006, 12:06

I am aware that a few of you are focussed on martial arts in here and I was just wondering about martial arts and kids. Basically when is the best age for someone to start, and what would you recommend for kids. I have a daughter who's just turned 27months, and we were wondering if there would be any benefit from looking at martial arts for her at this age.

orangebird · 29-11-2006, 12:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saaf_laandon_mo

I am aware that a few of you are focussed on martial arts in here and I was just wondering about martial arts and kids. Basically when is the best age for someone to start, and what would you recommend for kids. I have a daughter who's just turned 27months, and we were wondering if there would be any benefit from looking at martial arts for her at this age.

I can only comment as far as judo goes, and I would say she's still a little young for that - I would say 4 or 5 years for judo. HTH

hatedbythemail · 29-11-2006, 12:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by orangebird

I can only comment as far as judo goes, and I would say she's still a little young for that - I would say 4 or 5 years for judo. HTH

i'd go along with that - my kids did karate and the youngest in the classes were probably around 5.

grandmaster · 29-11-2006, 12:36

I agree 5+ for martial arts.
I don't think my club takes kids under 5..

Ryan

29-11-2006, 12:37

Teach her how to punch and kick now. I started teaching my daughter basic kickboxing very early on teaching her how to punch at first now at 10 she has a wicked right and a cracking turning kick and she is hard

Ramrod · 29-11-2006, 13:52

Yep, no earlier than 5 y.o ish.....

29-11-2006, 13:55

but like I did you can teach her basics yourself. Like how to clench a fist and how to strike keeping a straight line from shoulder to first 2 knuckles and 3 inches past the target

this all really helped my daughter and toughened her up before school so she can take the knocks

29-11-2006, 14:01

Get her into boxing first mate then progress onto kick boxing then onto martial arts, she'll have a good start when you decide to take her to classes.

Saaf_laandon_mo · 29-11-2006, 14:07

Yeah I was thinking towards judo/boxing with no kicks till shes a bit older. The aim is not to turn her into a hard bast4rd, she was born as tough as nails, but more towards something new and enjoyable to do.

29-11-2006, 14:12

dont get me wrong my daughter is still very much a girlie girl but she can shrug off knocks and I feels its just made her stronger. And of course her trying to beat up poor old dad is good exercise

orangebird · 29-11-2006, 15:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saaf_laandon_mo

Yeah I was thinking towards judo/boxing with no kicks till shes a bit older. The aim is not to turn her into a hard bast4rd, she was born as tough as nails, but more towards something new and enjoyable to do.

I'd go the judo route when she's old enough. It's such fun, and she'll learn all about co-ordination, how to fall without hurting herself, roll and defend etc etc way before she learns to punch & kick. Which is the right order IMO.

ikthius · 29-11-2006, 22:49

I personally would not teach kids or let them into a class until they are at least 10, I would want the kids to learn that it can be dangerous, and its not just a playful sport.

the instructor also needs the kids attention at all times, its not fair for the rest of the students if the instructor has to stop the calss to get a kids attention, or the rest of the students dont get taught cause the kid could be disruptive.

but then thats my stance, and especially in my class, it annoys me, when the kids run around, not doing what they are told, and the parents dont care.

ik

danielf · 30-11-2006, 01:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by orangebird

I'd go the judo route when she's old enough. It's such fun, and she'll learn all about co-ordination, how to fall without hurting herself, roll and defend etc etc way before she learns to punch & kick. Which is the right order IMO.

I did Judo from age 6 to 10, and I hated it. With regards to learning how to fall, I have to say my Judo experience has saved me from a few broken bones over the years. I remember being about 10 years old when me and my brother were racing with trolleys at the supermarket. I was in the trolley, and he was pushing it. When he stopped the trolley, I slung one leg over the side of the trolley just before be pulled it back, which resulted in me plunging head first towards the pavement. Instinctively, I applied the Judo lessons: stuck a hand on the pavement, arched my back, slung the other arm under my body and rolled over my shoulder, tapping the pavement as I got up without a scratch.

So, despite hating it as a kid, Judo gets a big thumbs up from me.

30-11-2006, 09:52

I would say Judo is ace as a sport but not so good as a self defense or fighting style. In my experience there has only ever once been an occassion where I could use a throw or grapple in a real fight situation. Normally the altercation has happened in town where a group of thugs have started on me or one of my friends. Grabbing one guy and holding him down on the floor would only end up with me having my head kicked in by his mates. In real fight situations 7 times out of 10 the guy just walks up and hits you giving you no time to think you just have to react and being able to punch gives you a nice fast and effective defense straight away. If all is wanted is a sport then wicked Judo is ace but if you want a full self defense you need to learn disapline first so imo straight boxing wouldnt be good as this builds and uses pure aggression without control. A balance of the martial arts once your child is old enough and shown he/she wants to train would imo include a tight disaplined style Ie Kung fu of which for a good sport style like Lau Gar where you learn animal styles and a sports style all in one disapline or for a girl something like wing Chung which was developed by a female and is for very close fighting conditions which is also very effective in the real world.
I respect everyones view of age but i was bullied in infants school from the age of 4 I went onto being bullied till I left school at 16.If my olds bothered to teach me to fight then then I would have put a stop to the bullies. Ive taught my daughter that violence is wrong and she only ever play fights with me but if she needs to defend herself she is more than capable for her age

orangebird · 30-11-2006, 11:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by zinglebarb

<snip>you need to learn disapline first so imo straight boxing wouldnt be good as this builds and uses pure aggression without control. <snip>

Sorry, but that's absolute rubbish. My husband used to be a boxer. It takes so much control and discipline just to get down to weight, let alone to learn how to fight in the ring properly. It's not pure agression at all.