Best martial arts for not-particularly-athletic 10 year old???

[Catwoman]

I would like ds10 to try a martial arts class, but I don't know what to choose. He's not particularly athletic -- mainly because he just isn't really into sports. When he tries a new sport, he seems pretty coordinated and I would guess he's about average at it, but again, he isn't a kid that loves sports.

 

That said, I think a martial arts class would be a good experience for him. I would like him to learn things like self-defense in a positive, non-threatening environment. I don't think ds would like the idea of actually fighting other kids, though, as he's quite peace-loving. He likes the idea of getting stronger and being in good shape, but the last thing on his mind would be to learn the skills so he could beat up other kids. As his mom, I would like him to learn how to protect himself in an emergency situation, and I would also like him to gain strength, flexibility, coordination, and confidence. :)

 

Any suggestions? Pros and cons of different options?

 

Thanks!

 

Cat

[ElizabethB]

Judo!

 

It is defense oriented.

[KarenNC]

My soon to be 10 yo has been doing aikido for the last three years (along with my husband) and enjoys it. She's not particularly athletic either. It's about defense using the energy of the other person to redirect them, minimizing harm to oneself and the other. No kicks, punches, breaking boards, etc, no sparring or tournaments. Instead of tournaments they have seminars to learn new skills. Lots of rolling and emphasis on correct ways to fall. Testing is not the focus--our dojo tests about once a year and there are no charges for testing until one goes for black belt (which only happens after many years of training).

 

Con is that it is not as widely available as something like tae kwan do or karate, and not all dojos are going to have kids' classes.

 

Our dojo is a member of http://www.usaikifed.com/ and http://www.aikido-international.org/.

[s.z.ichigo]

Mu daughter and I take Taekwon Do, and it serves all the kids in her classes well, from the athletic to the downright clumsy. The most important factor is a teacher that's great with kids (both encouraging and strict). After almost a year of taking classes my daughter has improved greatly in her balance, strength, discipline, etc.

Make sure the school emphasizes not only doing well in martial arts, but in all aspects of life. Ours gives the kids a "to do" list, where the parents check off days when they did their homework, did chores, showed respect for their families, etc. They're being trained to be all-around good people, not just proficient in their sport. I have seen the instructor give the kids lectures (and take their belts away or refused to promote them) if they'd been acting up at home. When you're dressed down by a guy in a black belt, you listen.

[Alyce]

You're going to get lots of opinions on this as there are so many forms of Martial Arts and they differ not only in style but also by how they're taught by each instructor. What one Karate facility does may not be the same as another Karate studio. Look up ones that are in your area and go and watch a class. Many studio's even let the child have one free class to see how he likes it. He'll know the one he feels most comfortable with. The only thing I would not do is get involved in one that requires a long term contract. It's not uncommon for kids to think it's great at first but after a couple of months they want to drop out. I can't tell you the number of kids and adults I've seen drop out of my studio. The Martial Arts takes a lot of commitment but it can give so much to someone. My son is a black belt in Tang Su Doo. He is now studying for his instructors license and next rank up. He has been participating in this for about 5 years now. He started out much as your son. He hated organized sports and he was tall and lankey. He's still tall and lankey but he has so much more confidence in himself. He has learned discipline, leadership, respect along with all the other skills that go along with learning a martial art. I could tell you all kinds of reason why my form (yes, I take it with my son. I am a blue belt (2 more levels for my black belt Yeah!) is the best and what it can do for you but like I said earlier there are so many forms and studios that it is really better for you to visit them for yourselves and find the one you feel most comfortable with.

[Michelle in MO]

You're going to get lots of opinions on this as there are so many forms of Martial Arts and they differ not only in style but also by how they're taught by each instructor. What one Karate facility does may not be the same as another Karate studio. Look up ones that are in your area and go and watch a class. Many studio's even let the child have one free class to see how he likes it. He'll know the one he feels most comfortable with. The only thing I would not do is get involved in one that requires a long term contract. It's not uncommon for kids to think it's great at first but after a couple of months they want to drop out. I can't tell you the number of kids and adults I've seen drop out of my studio. The Martial Arts takes a lot of commitment but it can give so much to someone. My son is a black belt in Tang Su Doo. He is now studying for his instructors license and next rank up. He has been participating in this for about 5 years now. He started out much as your son. He hated organized sports and he was tall and lankey. He's still tall and lankey but he has so much more confidence in himself. He has learned discipline, leadership, respect along with all the other skills that go along with learning a martial art. I could tell you all kinds of reason why my form (yes, I take it with my son. I am a blue belt (2 more levels for my black belt Yeah!) is the best and what it can do for you but like I said earlier there are so many forms and studios that it is really better for you to visit them for yourselves and find the one you feel most comfortable with.

This is very good advice. I would also recommend researching the different martial arts studios in your area. My girls and I take lessons at a school which does mixed martial arts, beginning with tae kwon do/karate and then progressing on to judo and other types of martial arts.

[Catwoman]

Thank you for all of your suggestions!

 

The problem is that there are so many different martial arts studios in our area, that I don't know where to begin! Honestly, I don't have time to visit every single place, so that's why I'm hoping to narrow down my choices a bit.

 

Are there any specific questions I should ask, that might help me make a wise choice? (I know I need to ask about commitments and contracts, but are there any red flags I should watch out for?)

 

Thanks again!

 

Cat

[OLG]

You described ds at that age and he chose Aikido over other martial arts. Not as 'noisy' he felt and engaged his mind well too.

 

But, as a Mom, I say it has a tremendous amount to do with who the sensei is, for any of these martial arts. AS previously suggested, check out the dojo!

 

Mary

[JudoMom]

Judo!

 

It is defense oriented.

 

:iagree:

 

(big surprise there, huh :lol:?)

[rafiki]

.

[Alyce]

Like on that does Tae Kwan Do, one that does Karate, one that does Judo, one that does Aikido etc. You will get to see the basics of the sport. Once you decide which style he likes then start visiting studios that teach that style. If it were me I'd look for a teacher that is good with kids and not caught up in being strict. My child initially liked the martial arts because of his teacher. She is very good with kids and treats them with respect. She is strict when she has to be (someone playing around) but otherwise is just a very outgoing pleasant woman. Once he got into doing all the requirements of his style he began to get more interested in what he was doing and put more and more into it. Also look for a teacher who praises more then always points out deficiencies. I would also look into the experience of the teacher. There are many degrees of black belts. That usually means he has gone through more training and has learned more about how to instruct and has had more training in his art. I would never go to someone who is just a basic level black belt. I would look for one that is at least a 3rd degree or above. Some studios have assistant teachers. A basic black belt can do okay for that but should be well supervised. The higher the degree the more knowledge he has attained and the more training he has recieved on higher levels of his style. Most young people get their basic black belts and then quit. They have reached their goal but a really good teacher can help him see that just because he is now a "Black belt" he is really only just beginning to learn and will encourage further growth but sadly many young people see the black belt as the final step and do very little training after that. My son will continue up the ladder but also wants to stretch out and learn from other styles and they all have so much to give someone.

[asta]

Firstly, make sure the place isn't the equivalent of a diploma mill. In the real world of martial arts, 7 year olds don't have black belts; they may go through the movements, but they don't have the comprehension/responsibility level to know when to use them. It's like they are little kids in outfits that do movements only at proscribed times/competitions.

 

That said, I have a soft spot for Tai Chi. Most people think of it as the old people in the park martial art, but then they've never seen it in actual "action".

does an excellent job of discussing the "why" behind the style (it is truly a defensive, not offensive art), and why it is so good at helping a person learn self control - both physical and mental.

 

 

asta

[Catwoman]

Thank you so much for all of your replies -- I really appreciate all of the great advice, and I'm beginning to know what to look for when we visit different places.

 

Can anyone give me a quick "crash course" on the martial arts in general? I guess I'm mostly wondering what makes Judo different from Aikido and what makes both of them different from Tae Kwon Do, and how they all differ from Tai Chi, and what's the story with Karate? (Ok, so maybe it won't be as quick as I thought it would be... I guess I'm more clueless than I'd realized!)

 

Also, an Aikido dojo in our area also offers something called Iaido, which they describe as a non-competitive discipline that uses the Japanese sword. Does anyone know anything about that? The description made it sound cool and fun, but it also sounds like they use real metal swords, and I'm concerned about potential safety issues. I know my ds would be very careful, but if these things are sharp and/or heavy, I would be worried about other kids in the class getting a little wild (or just losing control of their swords,) and someone getting hurt.

 

This is all so confusing. Years ago, our area had a Karate school and a Judo school; now there are tons of places, and I have never even heard of some of the disciplines.

 

Cat

[KarenNC]

Also, an Aikido dojo in our area also offers something called Iaido, which they describe as a non-competitive discipline that uses the Japanese sword. Does anyone know anything about that? The description made it sound cool and fun, but it also sounds like they use real metal swords, and I'm concerned about potential safety issues. I know my ds would be very careful, but if these things are sharp and/or heavy, I would be worried about other kids in the class getting a little wild (or just losing control of their swords,) and someone getting hurt.

 

You may want to check and see if the iaido classes include kids or not. Just because the dojo offers it, they may not offer it below a certain age. I know our dojo has occasionally had an iaido class, but it was separate from the regular class (it's a separate discipline, as I understand it), including a separate time, and was only adults. I don't know if they used the wooden practice swords or metal ones.

 

Now my husband and daughter have done some limited sword work in their aikido classes, but it was with wooden practice swords.

 

Another interesting one that I saw demonstrated once was Japanese archery, kyudo. Again, I don't know that this is open to kids, but it was very beautiful.

[Catwoman]

You may want to check and see if the iaido classes include kids or not. Just because the dojo offers it, they may not offer it below a certain age.

 

Their website says they offer children's classes, but they don't specify the minimum age. I think that they use metal swords, because in the class description, they mentioned oiling the blades and stuff like that. I would have thought they would start with wooden swords, but if it sounds like something ds would be interested in, I'll call for more info.

 

Another interesting one that I saw demonstrated once was Japanese archery, kyudo. Again, I don't know that this is open to kids, but it was very beautiful.

 

That sounds like something ds would like, as he has done archery off-and-on since he was 6, and he enjoys it.

 

Thanks!

 

Cat

[lighthouseacademy]

You really need to look around. In terms of Karate, there are many styles- traditional Okinawan or American etc. I practice Shudokan which is similar to Shotokan. Both are focused on kata (or forms as some people call them). In Shudokan, we do a lot of Bunkai (the why are you doing the kata) and also some applications (choreographed fight) as well as self defense drills etc. The Sensei makes all the difference. Our school is VERY family oriented. Also, you are not allowed in our school to take a weapon unless you are a regular student.

 

Like some others said, look for a school that does not promise a black belt in X number of years or requires a contract. That is not the real world. Also, what are the credentials of the Sensei? I have known high ranking but not black belts start up schools. They are not qualified!

[Catwoman]

Thanks, Marisa!

 

Cat

[zaichiki]

The Sensei makes all the difference.

 

I agree. I studied at a fairly popular "chain" martial arts studio when I was growing up and had the opportunity to take classes in different locations with many different teachers (plus my brother and a fiance). The method was really supposed to be identical, but the whole feeling of the class depended on the teacher. One teacher made things very competitive and physically agressive. Another made it seem like we were really learning a choreographed dance. Some were intense. Others were laid back.

 

Go with what one pp suggested: observe several different styles too.

 

I hope you find something you like for ds. :001_smile:

[hmdavis02]

I've got to second judo! It's not a striking art so much as throws and grappling, which makes it incredibly practical for self-defense. After all, if you are in a self defense situation, you may find your attacker will not stay in a convienient punching or kicking range. ;-) Plus, the first thing you should learn in a good dojo is how to fall without getting badly hurt, which has practical application in regular life (bikes, slipping on a banana peel, etc.)

As for what makes them different, Tae Kwon Do and Karate are mainly striking (punching, kicking) arts.

 

Akido is a very beautiful art of using your opponent's attacking force against them, but without worrying about efficiency (at least that's what I've gleaned from the very little I have seen). Someone else is bound to be more knowledgeable than me here...

 

Judo is also using the art of using the attacker's force against them, but with the ideas of "maximum efficient use of foce" and "mutual welfare and benefit" holding Judo, rather than punching, etc., consists of throws, pinning techniques, and chokes and armbars (aka "submission techniques," which usually result in a contestant "tapping out" to end the match). The name "Judo" means "Gentle Way," and has appeal to a wide range of ages. My Sensei's sensei is still practicing in his 70s! That is a very, very brief run-through that may be horribly jumbled because I am completely exhausted! Anyway, hope it helps. Check out www.judoinfo.com for more info...

Edited August 3, 2010 by hmdavis02

[Cindyg]

You've just got to go visit the classes. Some are really intense. Some focus on the warrior aspect. Some are for fun. Some focus on self improvement. And everything in between. You want to find an instructor who your kid will connect with.

 

My son is not particularly athletic either, and karate (I think his is actually tai kwon do) has been wonderful for him. It's a really good choice for a kid who would not shine on a team of peers. There is a comaraderie among the students in the class; but everyone can progress at his own pace (or not) without hindering the team.

[KarenNC]

Akido is a very beautiful art of using your opponent's attacking force against them, but without worrying about efficiency (at least that's what I've gleaned from the very little I have seen). Someone else is bound to be more knowledgeable than me here...

 

I asked my husband for input (since he actually has taken aikido for the last three years and I haven't). He says that in our dojo, the sensei certainly talks quite a bit about economy of motion, getting your opponent where you want them as quickly and easily as possible. They've been talking about it lately---aikido tends to look very circular from the outside as the effect on the person being thrown tends to be circular because you are sending them where their energy was already going, but the motions of the person throwing tend to be much more linear and to the point.

 

He says he has been told judo and aikido have a lot in common, but he doesn't really know much about the ins and outs of judo, not having studied it. Aikido is primarily about falling, pinning, throwing, etc (similar to judo) and not about punching, kicking, breaking or blocking (as in karate, TKD, etc). It's more about getting out of the way and then making something happen. They only occasionally employ something similar to armbars, but even then they are not rigid blocks--rather a moving technique. There are techniques that originate from a choke and on the street might become one, but on the mat it turns into a throw. There's really nothing rigid about aikido--it's about the motion. He points out that this is the perspective of one junior student.:)

 

Totally agree that the falling has lots of practical applications. My daughter slipped in some water on our concrete floor recently and was unhurt because her sit-fall training kicked in automatically. Another adult student said that her training kept her from being badly injured when she fell down some stairs recently.

[lighthouseacademy]

I've got to second judo! It's not a striking art so much as throws and grappling, which makes it incredibly practical for self-defense. After all, if you are in a self defense situation, you may find your attacker will not stay in a convienient punching or kicking range. ;-) Plus, the first thing you should learn in a good dojo is how to fall without getting badly hurt, which has practical application in regular life (bikes, slipping on a banana peel, etc.)

As for what makes them different, Tae Kwon Do and Karate are mainly striking (punching, kicking) arts.

 

Akido is a very beautiful art of using your opponent's attacking force against them, but without worrying about efficiency (at least that's what I've gleaned from the very little I have seen). Someone else is bound to be more knowledgeable than me here...

 

Judo is also using the art of using the attacker's force against them, but with the ideas of "maximum efficient use of foce" and "mutual welfare and benefit" holding Judo, rather than punching, etc., consists of throws, pinning techniques, and chokes and armbars (aka "submission techniques," which usually result in a contestant "tapping out" to end the match). The name "Judo" means "Gentle Way," and has appeal to a wide range of ages. My Sensei's sensei is still practicing in his 70s! That is a very, very brief run-through that may be horribly jumbled because I am completely exhausted! Anyway, hope it helps. Check out www.judoinfo.com for more info...

 

I am not familiar with all styles, so I can't comment... but I can say that even within Karate, there are differences. As I mentioned before, I practice Shudokan which includes a lot of maximizing your efficiency, dodging or deflecting using your opponents momentum, armbars, pinning, how to fall, etc. We of course borrow some techniques from other styles as many styles do but on the whole we practice a traditional Okinawan style which includes many blocks (which may or may not be strikes too).

One of my senseis says that it really doesn't matter which style you pick. What matters is that you feel right about the school and the Sensei and the school and the student are a good match because ultimately it is all self defense and at the heart of it they blend together.

[Geek]

You've already been given lots of good advice. But I just wanted to say that studying martial arts (Korean form Tang Soo Do) has changed my 11yo AS son's life. I started a homeschool (daytime! Woot!) karate class two years ago with a local studio, and the program has grown by leaps and bounds. We couldn't be happier with the studio's methods and each and every member of the staff. My son attends evening classes as well now (total of five classes per week) because of his rank.

 

Karate packs a wallop learning-wise: self-discipline, self-control, self-respect, other-respect, the idea that practice leads to mastery, honor, physical coordination, precision, focus....

 

I am so proud of my son and years ago I would never have guessed that he could be where he is now. Please don't let lack of athleticism stop your son; just find the right studio with the appropriate-for-your-son end in mind.

[Catwoman]

Thank you so much for all of the info and encouragement!!!

 

Cat