Appreciate any thoughts/recommendations from anyone with kids his age. He's 5 going on 6 in Oct & wanna get him started in something to both protect himself & for the discipline aspect of it. Thanks.
Don't recommend judo for that age. Too much risk of injury and kids that age aren't quite ready for most of the techniques. He'll likely be learning to roll and fall and a lot of footwork because most kids have a very difficult time throwing before like 10-12 years old.
Kickboxing will involve at least some sparring at most places. It will be the most live action version of a street fight, but your son will also likely be getting punched in the face, with gloves on of course. Some kids are ready for that and some parents are comfortable with it, but just know what you're getting into.
Karate is okay, but he won't be able to do much defending of himself. Karate is a lot of throwing strikes into air by yourself. He'd probably love it, but unless he practices what to do when someone attacks him by having people actually try to attack him in a limited practice setting, it's hard to know how he'll react.
Jiu jitsu is my answer. He'll learn actual defense techniques for actual defense scenarios. He'll learn basic judo and wrestling as well. Plus he'll avoid most possibility of any brain injury. You can actually live "spar" without much risk of any injury.
Kickboxing will involve at least some sparring at most places. It will be the most live action version of a street fight, but your son will also likely be getting punched in the face, with gloves on of course. Some kids are ready for that and some parents are comfortable with it, but just know what you're getting into.
Karate is okay, but he won't be able to do much defending of himself. Karate is a lot of throwing strikes into air by yourself. He'd probably love it, but unless he practices what to do when someone attacks him by having people actually try to attack him in a limited practice setting, it's hard to know how he'll react.
Jiu jitsu is my answer. He'll learn actual defense techniques for actual defense scenarios. He'll learn basic judo and wrestling as well. Plus he'll avoid most possibility of any brain injury. You can actually live "spar" without much risk of any injury.
I would recommend Sho Ryu Karate at that age. It is very important to find a good instructor. I have found that YMCA, and health club type instructors are very laid back in general when it comes to the martial arts and a 5 or 6 year old needs structure for that hour. It also makes them feel like a part of something bigger than themselves. Find a Martial Arts academy and ask for an appointment with the owner if he is a black belt and main instructor and ask anything you are concerned about. Then ask for your child to have a couple of free sessions to see how they like it and like their instructor.
Awesome tips so far, thanks CowboyT & Wolvenation12! I was leaning kickboxing for him but yea not sure how'd he'd react getting hit so much. Jiu Jitsu or karate might be more his speed, not a fan of Judo at all but wife was pushing it because it was the cheapest. Lol Reading some Yelp reviews right now, Relson Gracie Jiu Jitsu has a gym not far from our house might be my best bet to check out first.
Jiu Jitsu by far. If you have a Relson Gracie Academy close by, then it should be legit. Don't waste your time with karate at that age. Better off taking them to gynastics class as they will do a lot of tumbling and games at that age. Most studios will offer at least a week free, if not 30 days. Good luck on what you decide as you're making a great move for yourself and your child. Keep us posted...
All martial arts listed in this thread so far fall under this category...
Yep, that's why I said what I said....my favorite art combined is Kajukenbo, developed in Hawaii.
For me personally, it's wrestling, BJJ, and Muay Thai.
Since money sounded like a deciding factor, I would steer clear of anything with karate or taekwondo as you will be buying your kid belts and paying for belt testing frequently, whether the kid deserves it or not. Most karate schools are money traps looking to give black belts away in 3 years...
Thanks again guys for taking the time to post your opinions. MattyMatt, there is Kajukenbo offered at our Rec Center. Have you taken it before? Like it as another option?
I know about it and why it was invented. Pretty cool story. It's only about 60 years old or so as well. I've never studied it, but am friends with the Sifu who owns the 2 in my town. If I was going the "karate" route, it would be my choice. Being offered at your local rec center, it is probably cheaper as well. Relson Gracie would be my first choice you mentioned you offered so far, followed by this one. What other BJJ school are around? I'd say take your son to both these for a minimum of 3 classes and see what he thinks as well. This shouldn't be a problem, and a true instructor of martial arts would want you to try a few places. I know we thrive on it. Another reason why we offer 30 days for free. Good luck with your search, and feel free to ask for more info and let us know how your visits go...
i like the hap-ki-do. couple of 6 year olds in my class. they are learning quick and love it. whatever u choose just make sure they get something out of it have seen numerous parents money wasted in kids going to "classes" that half ass it take your money and dont give a shit about your childs progress. i would not stress enough find a instructor that cares and is not just going through the motions may sound silly but plenty of shit insructors out there
Are there any plain ol' boxing classes offered where you live? In my experience that's far more practical, and tons more realistic, than just about any martial art. It's also one of the best things in the world at honing eye-hand coordination, which would be great down the line should your son want to play sports.
Wrestling would make a great complement to boxing, and is maybe the best total-body fitness around.
I'm not a fan of most studio-taught martial arts. I've trained with people who have studied those and, in my opinion, most aren't suited at all to actual self-defense.
Wrestling would make a great complement to boxing, and is maybe the best total-body fitness around.
I'm not a fan of most studio-taught martial arts. I've trained with people who have studied those and, in my opinion, most aren't suited at all to actual self-defense.
Boxing is not very practical either in reality. Most fights begin with the aggressor either sucker punching or grabbing the victim. At younger ages, the latter is much more common. It's actually very rare that someone wants to stand one on one and fight. Just doesn't happen. And almost all of those types of fights are avoidable.
I don't agree with the thoughts that boxing isn't practical (do agree with how most fights are started), and here's why: In the majority of self-defense situations the two most valuable things for a person to know is how to punch effectively -- a solid, aimed, hard punch -- and the knowledge that they can take a blow and continue to defend themselves (and I'd argue that that second part is THE most important self-defense skill). A person simply learning how to hit and be hit puts them in a much better position than most of the general public.
