Martial arts for my son?!?!? what would be a good choice??

Question

hi my son just had a free month trial at a martial arts school he was learning karate and he was doing well and loving it !

is karate the best choice???

i don't know much about martial arts so i also don't know what to look for in a school or instructor can someone help me??

also if you are from my area can you recommend a school i am in richmond hill ontario

Answer 1

I think that karate would be a good start, for self defense purposes, it is very good and effective, for starters the basics for that style of fighting are uhhhh basic! i am in taekwondoe most dojos will not only teach the one style of fighting but also teach the other styles of fighting, for example, where i go they teach ,tie-kwon-doe,muy-thay, then a huge jump over to wushu....

take a look at these vids, perhaps they will help you decide

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=TK...

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=TK...

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=TK...

http://www.expertvillage.com/video-serie...

Answer 2

you didn't say how old your son is...

when i owned a school, i only taught karate to older kids (12+).

we taught judo to the younger ones.

although both are great for mental and physical discipline, i always felt that younger children can't handle the responsibility of learning karate.

Answer 3

I would start with wrestling at the youth level and BJJ/jiu jitsu, rather than karate.  He will have ample competition opportunities, and will be ahead of the game when moving into high school competition.  I've been in a cage and trained in many useless, boring styles.  At this age, might as well teach him something that works and does not teach bad habits.  There will be little risk of injury despite what others may say.  Neither has any striking involved, and wrestling young may  turn into a scholarship down the road.  When looking for a school, looking for one with a team atmosphere.  Much better to learn with helpful fellow students than others just trying to compete full go everytime on the mat.

Answer 4

Differences ?Not much except for the formal excecises like kata and even that doesn't amount to much.

NORTHERN is probably your best option .

Answer 5

I've heard that northern karate school is awesome. the instructor is good and I'm sure you'll like them. They treat everyone like family. And if you're somewhat indecisive, they teach karate and taekwondo.

Answer 6

A free month trial...did your son enjoy it ?

If he did, then why not just continue there.  Look if the kid is happy, then it sounds great.  As far as best choice goes it is a combination of things, do the instructors relate well to your son, does your son enjoy his classes, if so, it sounds good.

There are combat arts and martial arts.  Combat arts stress survival, weapons training starts at day 1, martial arts teach lots of stuff, including some survival training, they teach more forms and movements along with hopefully, the concepts behind the art and movement.

It sounds like you have found a good school, if your son enjoys it and wants to continue, that is half the battle, so let him continue.

Answer 7

I think that you might have a winner with Karate.  It's a good start in the martial arts.  Taekwondo is another good art that involves more kicking than upper body techniques.

I would stick with what your son likes.  If you son likes it, then he'll tend to stick with it longer.

Good Luck..

Answer 8

Let Him watch some movies like bruce lee, karate kid or something. Im a tae kwon do student in toronto and i used to do karate so if you want to benifit for your child choose a martial art thats useful in the real world (not something that includes weapons, well thats my opinion). Noting that you live in richmond hill look for a nearby community centre (you have no obligation to stay because its usually a class a week for 9 weeks and then u have to signup again, youll save alot of money also)

Answer 9

if he likes doing it then yes it is.

as in anything in life you will persist with any hobby if you enjoy what you do.

this is as true for children as for adults.

and don't be surprised if in a few months he changes his mind.  that's the nature of children.  They can get bored easily with things.  Be understanding, and maybe try to introduce him to other arts if that were to happen.

Answer 10

If the boy likes karate, let him learn karate.

Judo is another popular MA to teach to kids.

Either one is a fine MA to start out with, and your child will develop discipline, confidence, and most importantly have a good time doing it.

Answer 11

use the karate as a stepping stone it will teach disipline. when you feel he is ready to learn the real styles like BJJ (brazilian jiu jitsu) boxing and muay thai.

o i almsot forgot get him into wrestling if his school has a program enrole him because that is an amazing technique to teach at a yong age.

Answer 12

Since this if for your son I would shop the instructor and school and not the style.  Look for a school where the instructor relates well to the kids, works with them, and develops them into good students and better more confident and disciplined indiviudals.  Some instructors and schools do a better job of that than others.  If your son is somewhat competive then you also might want to take that into consideration and pick a school that competes.  Some traditional schools don't compete at all or very little and while that is not a bad thing it can be for someone that wants to compete.  Also try to select a place that is convenient for you since you will be taking him.  Selecting a great school and instructor an hour away really makes it hard and your schedule and his may not accomadate that very well over the long run or during the school year with all the other things like homework, other sports and activities that he might decide to do, etc.  Also look at the real and hidden costs as your son becomes involved in a school.  Testing fees, short or long term contracts, equipment and uniform costs are just some of the ways greedy instructors can stick it to your pocket book.  Select a school that you can afford so that his study of that martial art is not disrupted.  By doing this you are more likely to make the best choice and as he matures and if his interests change then you can always go in another direction with another school and instructor if desired.

Answer 13

BJJ.

Answer 14

i think hes too young

get him in after school chess , the knowledge gained

from losing at chess can therefore be applied

when hes 13 and tries out either wing chun or bjj.

those are my picks.

Answer 15

Hi there

I think you have already answered your own question here. If your son loves it and has taken a shine to it then there's your answer.

Good teachers produce good students not the art. Karate when taught right is quite varied with many paths you can follow.

Don't listen to what people say on here about what art is the best because the TV told them it was or they saw it on you-tube! Martial arts come and go in fads just like anything else. Children learn the most when their having fun.

If he's learning something new, enjoying it and making new friends then leave him where he is. If not find another school.

A good school will have a specialised grading structure for children and will be part of one of the large governing bodies with links back to the founder of the style. Keep well clear of clubs that have flashy gi's and have loads of grading tags per belt. There generally just after your money!

You dont train children to be pro fighters you teach them to be pro adults.

Best wishes

idai.

Answer 16

I always suggest Judo. kids are not taught chokes or armlocks which makes it less dangerous than most martial arts. Also kids seem to enjoy grappling and wrestling around on the floor.

http://markstraining.com Fighting and Training Methods for Unarmed Martial Artists