What martial art should i choose?

Question

I am thinking of taking up a martial art but am not sure which one. Im 17 and 6'8, im trying to find a martial art that may utilise my height. I dont mind if it is a stand up or grappling sport. Also do you think it is too late to take a martial art up as most people do it from about 10 ears old?

all help is much appreciated

Answer 1

BJJ you height will give you the advantage, i should know im 7'3"

Answer 2

Well you have long reach so you could use them legs for Tae Kwon Do.

Answer 3

Hi.

Instead of choosing a style and getting excited about taking it only to find out it's not available in your area, you should look first for a school.  I'll get to your height a little further down.

If you don't already know of all the schools available in your area type into Google your city name (or area code) and one of the following; martial arts, Karate, Kung Fu, self defense.  Not all martial arts studios may be listed on line so also check the yellow pages.

You also need to decide why you want to take martial arts.  For sport, self defense, fitness, etc...?

Now call up or visit the schools that interest you the most.  Ask questions about what they do there to see if it interests you.  Ask about the emphasis they place on what you want to do.  If you're into the sport aspect then ask about competitions.  If you want some self defense training then ask about it.  

If it seems like it would be a good school from talking to the instructor(s) then this warrants further investigation.  Ask to sit in on a class to watch and see if it's something you'd like to do.  Most schools will offer an introductory course or a trial period which is usually free if not very cheap.  I suggest you take full advantage of this.

Also make sure that you like whatever style and school you choose.  It's also important that you work well with the instructors and your fellow students.  If you don't work well with the instructors then they won't be able to teach you effectively and you will get little benefit out of your training.  Similarly if the overall atmosphere of the school isn't conducive to learning what you are there to learn then you will also not get much benefit out of you're training.

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As far as your height is concerned I don't think it matters all that much.  There are no styles that were designed exclusively for tall people.  Some may utilize it better in different ways but for the most part choosing the right school will have more to do with this than choosing a style.

It is the martial artist that makes the art, not the other way around.  In other words, you will make whatever style you end up with work for you.  If you have good instructors doing this for you or helping you as much as they can then you won't have to give it a second though, just another reason why finding the right school, and not a style, is important.

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Most people who start when they are about ten years old don't stick with it for very long.  I'd actually guess that about the same number of people who start when their young stick with it as people who start when they're older.

You are never too old to start martial arts, at my school we have had people start that are in their early sixties.  The earlier you start the better but you are still plenty young.

Also, because it's relevant, at my school we have a student who is 6' 10" (5' 22" he says) and he is able to do everything just as effectively (in some ways more effectively because of his height) as everyone else there.  He just doesn't have to worry as much about how to defend against headlocks.

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I hope this helps and good luck finding a school :)

Answer 4

trying something new is never easy , but just check out a local Martial arts studio . Set in on the classes and see what you prefer. best of luck - go for it.

Answer 5

Well if you're that tall I'd recommend Judo because they are into grappling and height is an advantage for grappling an enemy.

Answer 6

ju jitzu

Answer 7

Okay ... I can't answer your question but I suggest you start by getting some more info on what's out there and the differences between them. Here's a link to brief explainations on types of martial arts: http://www.usgyms.net/martial%20arts%20t...

Bruce Lee's art form (the one he created) was call Jeet-Kun-Do

Steven Segal's art form was Aikido

Jet Li I believe learned Wushu

Jackie Chan -  hapkido, tae kwondo, judo, shaolin and wing chun kung fu.

Note: I'm not completely sure about all arts the above people mastered so do some investigation on your own.

Here's another link with a martial arts FAQ:

http://martialarts.about.com/od/martiala...

I've been impressed with the Brazilian Jiujitsu (great for ground fighting and grappling) and Aikido (an art which uses your oponents strength against him/heer) based on what I've seen.

Regarding the question about the starting age. You're still very young. My friends son started taking Martial arts at about your age and is now a 3rd degree black belt in Kung Fu so don't sell yourself short.

Good luck.

Answer 8

I know people older than you who have just started Tae Kwon Do, and it is great. How tall you are is not important in Tae Kwon Do, in fact being taller is an advantage. Taking the first step in to the tkd studio is always the hardest part. But I think your brave enough.

Answer 9

I would say judo, only because thats what i practice.  And your hight can be your biggest strentgh and your biggest weakness.  Judo was created to help the little dudes.  But i would suggest researching some martial arts and looking at classes around you adn go to them and see what its like and if its for you.  But judo is very rewarding.

Answer 10

A lot will depend on your goals in Martial Arts as well as what you find enjoyable.

Arts that are easy to find effective fighting schools in are Judo, Boxing, Muy Thai, Kyokushin Karate, Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu, and Wrestling. These arts will teach you plenty of techniques that you can use in sport and in self defense, but they will rarely touch on "dirty" fighting or multiple opponent scenarios.

Krav Maga is much harder to find a good school in, but will teach you weapon disarms that are generally considered to be the best available and deals with a lot of "Dirty" Fighting and multiple opponent scenarios without losing too much in the way of effective practicable techniques.

Other arts such as Taekwondo, Kung Fu, and other forms of Karate make it almost impossible to find a good school that trains realistically, so even though the arts may have nothing wrong with them most schools that you find are going to be borderline useless for fighting of any kind.

If you enjoy gymnastics then you can find an XMA themed Taekwondo school or a Capoeira school.

You might also consider Crossfit and Parkour if you just want to get in really good shape and have some fun.

Answer 11

any martial art is good.  If you like stand up than go with Muay thai or maybe boxing,if you like to grapple than go with Brazillian Jiu JIt su or Judo.  If you want a more traditional art that is very good for street fighting go with Wing Chun Kung Fu, or maybe karate.

And no it is never too late to learn!

Martial arts is for everybody.

Good Luck on your journey into Martial arts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 12

Well, I personally want to take up krav maga. It's a defensive position used by the Isreali military, but just browse the website here for info: