How to choose the right martial art for your child

How to Choose the Right Martial Art for Your Child

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How to Choose the Right Martial Art for Your Child

By Marc Lindsay Updated On January 21, 2018
Active.com

Martial arts can be a positive, healthy activity for your kids—if they're involved in a discipline that matches their interests and personality. But with a dizzying array of martial arts options, it can be tough to pick the right one.

Each discipline requires slightly different skills and techniques in order to be successful. Depending on the child, he or she will likely prefer one over the others. Finding the right match begins by understanding each discipline and philosophy.

Karate

Created as far back as the 1300s, karate is the most used martial arts in the world. There are no weapons involved, and the focus is on a full-body workout. Most traditional karate classes teach students to incorporate martial arts as a way of life, with the emphasis being on the self instead of the opponent.

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Who it's for: This discipline is suited for kids interested in learning striking techniques with the hands and feet. Philosophical teachings focus on leading a happy and balanced life, with activity being a primary area of concentration. Breaking boards and forms are a major elements used during training.

Tae Kwon Do

Tae Kwon Do is one of the most popular of all the martial arts and is even an Olympic sport. Attacks involve kicks, punches and throws, making it a well-rounded option.

Who it's for: This discipline is heavy on sparring, so you'll need to commit to buying protective gear to get started. On the flip side, there are lots of opportunities for competition because of the popularity of the sport. If your child is competitive, it should be at the top of your list.

Kung Fu

The focus of kung fu is on balance and relaxation techniques. Strikes are usually performed moving forward in close proximity to your opponent.

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Who it's for: If you child doesn't do well in close personal spaces or has slow reflexes, this probably isn't the martial art you should choose. It also relies more on upper body movement, which is good if your child struggles with kicks. If you want a sport that focuses on balance and concentration, this is a good pick.

Judo

Also an Olympic sport, Judo was designed to defend against strikes and use the opponents attacking mentality against them. Concentration is on throws that involve timing and controlling your opponent's body weight.

Who it's for: If your child wants a martial art that involves striking, this isn't the discipline. If learning throws and defense are a high priority, judo is one of the best there is.

More: Downloadable Coloring Books for Your Child

Find a martial arts class for your kid.

Marc Lindsay is the Cycling Editor at Active.com. When he's not at work, you can find him riding his bike. That is seriously all he does.

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The 5 Best Martial Arts For Your Kids

You already know martial arts can instill confidence, respect, loyalty, and honor in your kids.

However, did you know each martial art also has its own benefits, separate from those mentioned above?

No matter which martial art you choose for your children — or they choose for themselves — they will reap the many physical and psychological benefits of studying that discipline.

In this article, you will discover the five best martial arts for your kids, and five ONE Championship athletes who have used these martial arts to do rewarding things.

Taekwondo

Taekwondo usually sits on the top of parents’ lists when it comes to martial arts for their children. But popularity aside, your kids reap some great benefits when studying taekwondo.

Your kids improve their muscle strength, flexibility, and balance. And, because taekwondo’s forms vary, they learn how to control their bodies.

Dutch-Surinamese kickboxer Regian “The Immortal” Eersel started taekwondo at just eight years old. He originally took up the martial art to burn energy and learn self-defense.

In May 2019, “The Immortal” became the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is another one of the best martial arts for kids. Often called “the gentle art,” it teaches children how to compete on the ground through grappling and submissions.

Because students have to figure out how to avoid being submitted while trying to tap out their training partners, BJJ helps your kids develop patience and problem-solving skills.

Brazilian martial artist Bibiano “The Flash” Fernandes started in BJJ at a young age after his mother passed away. The martial art ultimately changed his life, as he won many grappling and mixed martial arts World Titles.

This past March, “The Flash” reclaimed the ONE Bantamweight World Championship.

Muay Thai

Muay Thai is an excellent martial art for your kids. Unlike kickboxing, which is also great in its own regard, students of “the art of eight limbs” use knees, elbows, throws, sweeps, and the clinch.

As students of Muay Thai, your kids learn self-control because they spar lightly and intentionally. Also, since the martial art doesn’t have a ranking system, your kids learn how to set personal goals instead of working toward pre-set goals.

Thai athlete Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon started training in Muay Thai when he was 7 years old, and his remarkable talent helped him provide for his family and brought him to incredible heights.

Earlier this month, “The Iron Man” reached the pinnacle of the sport when he captured the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship.

Wrestling

Wrestling is one of the oldest martial arts in the world, as it involves various takedowns, locks, and pins.

Because wrestling stands as one of the toughest sports to train and compete in, your kids will have unmatched physical and mental conditioning.

Filipino-American competitor Brandon “The Truth” Vera started wrestling in college and carried the love of the sport with him into the United States Air Force, where he joined the military’s Greco-Roman wrestling team.

“The Truth” continued to build upon his wrestling foundation, and he went on to win the inaugural ONE Heavyweight World Championship in December 2015.

Mixed Martial Arts

Mixed martial arts is ideal for kids who want to be well-rounded martial artists.

As opposed to the disciplines mentioned above, which focus only on their respective styles, mixed martial arts teaches kids how to compete on the ground and standing up. This will make them more well-rounded and prepared for real-life situations.

Vietnamese-Australian dynamo Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen started mixed martial arts at the age of 21.

Despite the late start, “The Situ-Asian” became a two-division ONE World Champion and has proven himself as one of the sport’s greats.

Conclusion

When deciding on a martial art for your kids, there is no one “best” martial art. Instead, enroll your children into a discipline they feel comfortable doing because if they enjoy studying the art, they will reap the many benefits that come with it.

Martial arts for children - their types, benefits and contraindications

Martial arts is not just a sport, it is a centuries-old philosophy that strengthens not only the body, but also the spirit of a fighter. For children, martial arts are of great benefit. Such classes will ensure the strengthening of immunity, harmonious physical development, tempering of character and discipline.

The types of martial arts for children are quite diverse and this article will focus on popular types of martial arts, their benefits and harms, as well as how to choose a section. nine0003

Which martial art to choose for a child

Martial arts for children can be conditionally divided into martial arts and martial arts. Combat sports include striking and wrestling sports.

Combat sports are traumatic sports and are not suitable for children. Consider martial arts and martial arts, classes that will benefit the child.

Oriental martial arts for children

Aikido. The basic concept of Aikido is to defeat the opponent by directing his energy against himself. Aikido classes develop abstract thinking, learn to feel your body, analyze the situation. I accept babies from the age of 4; nine0016
Taekwondo. Active combat system with many types of strikes, blocks, jumps. In the section it is recommended to give active and strong children. In the classroom, they develop muscles, work on coordination, stretching, they take kids from 5 years old;
Wushu. One of the safest sports. The discipline has collected elements of various martial arts. Despite the fact that there are a large number of strikes, grabs and creases. This martial art teaches to get away from any conflicts, to strive for harmony through physical and mental improvement, they accept kids from 3-4 years old; nine0016
Karate. Hard enough, with numerous punches and kicks. For preschoolers, the best choice is non-contact karate, which has minimal risk of injury. This discipline develops reaction, endurance and agility. Children are admitted to the section from the age of 5;
Judo. The softest kind of martial arts. There are no cruel tricks or grabs here. The philosophy of judo is based on the neutralization of the opponent without causing him physical harm. Classes develop balance and thinking. Often girls are sent to judo. Babies are accepted from 3 years old; nine0016
Jiu-jitsu. The combat system is quite aggressive. The system includes various shock, suffocating and painful techniques. Children are encouraged to practice non-contact Jiu-Jitsu. The section accepts kids from 8 years old.

All martial arts are based on deep philosophy. There is no place for aggression, impulsiveness, even such tough sports as karate or jiu-jitsu teach athletes self-control, endurance and wisdom.

Combat sports for children

Greco-Roman wrestling. A serious sport, the purpose of which is to knock down the enemy, to plant him with shoulder blades to the floor. Training develops endurance, reaction and strength. In the combat system, throws, painful holds and holds are used, they are accepted from the age of 7;
Freestyle wrestling. Very similar to Greco-Roman wrestling, but it allows kicks. Trainings are suitable for strong and purposeful, they take from 7 years old;
Sambo. This discipline teaches self-defense without the use of weapons. The main emphasis in the classroom is on increasing endurance, learning painful techniques. Unlike other disciplines, choking holds are prohibited here, they are accepted from the age of 5. nine0016

All these types of martial arts are capable of growing a real leader out of a child. But when choosing a section, you need to pay attention to which discipline is most suitable for your baby.

So, for example, phlegmatic people are not so much interested in physical as spiritual development, choleric people will feel great in a tough fight, and melancholic people are contraindicated in classes with elements of competition. Read more about how to choose a sport, taking into account the nature of the child. nine0003

If you want to send your child to the martial arts included in the program of the Olympic Games, pay attention to the sections of freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling and karate.

You can choose a section in your city in our catalog, where you will find out the cost of classes, the minimum age of an athlete and other useful information.

Benefits of martial arts

The main benefit of martial arts for children is to build character and endurance. According to studies, children involved in martial arts show better results in learning and social adaptation compared to children who are not involved in sports. nine0003

The main benefits of martial arts are:

Development of physical abilities such as strength, endurance, speed, reaction, coordination;
Development of such qualities as discipline, purposefulness, tolerance, balance;
Development of intuition, attention, speed of reaction;
Relieve stress, aggressiveness.

When sending a child to sports, parents should remember that any discipline carries certain risks of injury, so the baby needs to take out sports insurance, and the best option would be children's sports insurance 24/7. nine0003

Martial arts in childhood will help you grow into a real leader. Unlike other sports, here a lot of emphasis is placed on moral and ethical education, increasing self-confidence and self-respect. But, of course, martial arts is not the only option for sports for children.

Any sport at a young age is useful without contraindications will only bring benefits.

How to choose a martial art for a child

Many parents who decide to send their child to boxing or wrestling have the same motivation: they will grow strong and enduring, and the coach will look after our slob and put their brains in place. But it is much more important to think about something else: what kind of martial arts are suitable for a child, what will not harm him, and at what age can you get into the ring or tatami. nine0003

Professional martial arts teachers say that parents' interest in various sections for their offspring has been growing for several years. And this is understandable: the time is restless, and according to the generally accepted opinion, it is the martial arts that should strengthen the growing person physically, temper his spirit and teach him to stand up for himself and his loved ones. And now the sections of boxing, wrestling and other respected fighting schools, along with the newly minted clubs of mixed and traditional martial arts, accept students in almost every sports center or palace of culture. Moreover, children are recruited there almost from the cradle. It is difficult for a person who is ignorant of martial arts to figure out what is more useful for a growing organism: wrestling or percussion techniques? And how to determine if a child is ready to enter the ring or tatami? nine0003

Swim to the ring

According to Hollywood action movies, martial arts should be started almost immediately after the baby starts walking. But according to coaches and experts, even if parents dream of raising a champion fighter in the future, it is worth starting the difficult path with swimming.

9 tips on how to choose a sports section and not harm your child

You can take your child to the pool already at the age of three or four years. This will help the correct formation of the growing organism and almost guaranteed to protect it from injuries, bruises and bumps. A little later - from the age of five or six - you can start looking for a wrestling section for the child. Moreover, almost any type is suitable: Greco-Roman, freestyle, jujitsu, judo, sambo and others. nine0003 Before learning martial arts, the child should be taken to the pool / Photo: iStockphoto / phdpsx

“There, the guys will get a general physical development, learn exercises for coordination, somersaults, falls. At the same time, he laid the foundation for a lifetime,” says Viktor Panasyuk, a seventh-dan instructor in Goju-ryu style karate. “It’s like riding a bicycle: once you have trained the simplest tricks, they can then be automatically performed at almost any age.”

The peak of the formation of the most important qualities for martial arts, such as speed, strength, reaction, falls on the period from 13 to 16 years old

At the same time, the same Panasyuk does not recommend sending the child to boxing, kickboxing and other contact percussion martial arts until he is 12 years old. But having wrestling experience by this age, a teenager will most likely be able to quickly acquire new skills and then choose which particular way of martial arts is closer to him.

It is better to send a child to boxing, kickboxing and other contact percussion martial arts from the age of 12 / Photo: iStockphoto / Rawpixel Ltd

Choose classic

“It has become fashionable to let children go in for sports and martial arts at a very early age,” says Bogdan Kurilko, head of the martial arts club Tengu. — There are several groups for children in our club: karate, jiu-jitsu, aikido, kudo. Moreover, in the first three of them there are groups for very young children, where you can enroll a child from four to seven years old. It is from the age of four or five that a child begins to meaningfully repeat any movements, gestures or exercises. But do not expect a preschooler to quickly learn complex techniques. As a rule, preschoolers are given a set of developmental exercises with elements of martial arts in a playful manner. nine0003

6 tips for parents whose children go in for sports

Most of the classical schools of both wrestling and percussion techniques are associated with a rather complex culture of movements, with complex choreographic activities of the body. Therefore, from general physical preparation to training of the chosen style, the transition will occur by about seven to eight years. Then fights with peers begin, participation in performances is possible, the first visible results appear.

After 7-8 years, the child will be able to take part in competitions / Photo: iStockphoto / Ancika

All our interlocutors say that the classic types of applied martial arts, created for real, and not sports use, were originally intended for adults. Usually a deep understanding of their technique comes only to 18-20 years. “Aikido, for example, is worth studying for a person who already has experience in other martial arts. — adds Bogdan Kurilko. “Otherwise, this system does not guarantee effective self-defense.”

The main thing is the coach

When choosing a sports section for your child, you should not proceed only from the convenience of its location. It's no secret that children sometimes travel half a city to a good school. But in the section, the student acquires no less knowledge and skills than in school. And a sports coach can have a greater impact on a child than any of the school teachers. nine0003

“I would suggest that parents look first of all at the teacher's personality,” says Anatoly Petkoglo, Wushu instructor of the White Crane Fist style. - After all, it is the teacher who will lay down not only sports or combat skills, but also discipline, respect for rivals, as well as a correct understanding of the tasks of martial art. It makes sense to talk with the parents of the guys who have been training for some time, attend the class, see everything with my own eyes. Sometimes children come out of sports sections as novice hooligans. nine0003 In martial arts, the personality of the coach plays a very important role / Photo: iStockphoto / bluegame

All the instructors with whom Mel spoke are sure of one thing: there are no single parameters that allow you to clearly conclude which sport is right for a particular child. When signing it up for boxing, kickboxing or Muay Thai, you need to understand that it will not do without bruises and bumps. New experimental species, even founded by very talented craftsmen or fighters, may not have either intelligent teachers or uniform teaching methods. nine0003

“I always advise parents to try different groups and choose the style where their child will have the best contact with the coach and other students, as well as where he will be more comfortable,” says the head of the Tengu club Bogdan Kurilko.