karate kid?

Question

What is the best form of self defence to teach an 8 year old girl? You know,like karate or judo.She's not a tough nut,but i'd like her to be able to look after herself a bit,if she has to,with all the odballs knocking about today.

Answer 1

the answer is simple dude: ther is'nt a "best" discipline, what you have to do is find out what schools are available to you and her wherever you live (see below).

it's a personal choice of which discipline YOU want to study, there isn't a "best" Martial Art. Only YOU can Make the decision about which one is best for YOU (or her) and what you want her to get out of studying Martial arts for her personal benefit.

What many people fail to realize about Martial Arts is that there isn't a particular "brand" that is a "best fit".

There IS NOT a Martial Art that works for people with SPECIFIC body characteristics (height, weight, body type, gender, age, etc.)

Because the fact is that when people ask "what's a good Martial Art for me to learn?" or “what’s the “best” Martial Art to learn” has 2 major problems:

1st: these questions just beg for the majority of people here to start blurting out names of disciplines that are probably not even available in your area.

2nd: Just because they recommend a Martial Art that they may (or worse MAY NOT) have studied and it just happened to become THEIR favorite Martial Art because they’re interested in studying it or it worked for them doesn't mean that it's going to work for you or that you’ll find it interesting.

First of all, what YOU need to do is research local schools by looking in the phone book or internet search engine to find out if there ARE any Martial Arts schools in your area.

Second, if you can find at least 3 schools that interest her, watch a few classes at each one with her and decide which one out of those 3 schools that interested you both the most. (because she should also like the school and the discipline that is being taught there, otherwise she won't want to go when it's time to go to class.)

Third, the next thing you should do is find out if they have some trial classes (up to a weeks worth to help you make a decision, hopefully without being hassled to join or sign a contract to join the class), and if you find that you (and if she likes it as well) like the school, then enroll her in the class.

You just need to find a Martial Arts School that will provide a safe, "family like" environment for her and that the instructor(s) are going to help her become the best Martial Artist that she can become.

The discipline she winds up studying DOESN'T MATTER because there is NO discipline that is better than another, because they ALL have their strengths AND weaknesses

What matters is that you feel comfortable in the classes (and like the classes, and again she should like it as well) and feel comfortable that the instructor (and the instructor's TEACHING style and not the discipline itself) can properly teach her self defense without the "smoke and mirrors" .

The instructor should also like to do it more for the teaching aspect rather than the "making money" which it is a business to make money after all; but it should not be the only reason for teaching the discipline.

The biggest problem you should worry about in finding a school is being aware of schools that're a "McDojo's" or "belt factory" type of school.

These schools usually do a lot of boasting; particularly about how soon their students make their 1st degree black belts. A prime example of this: having several "young black belts" that're usually 9 or 10 yr old kids, which should be a rare thing to see unless the child started learning the discipline when they were 4 yrs old, or promising that as a student she’ll be making her black belt in about a year’s time (the average should be between 4 to 5 years or better) which often means that they have a high student turnout rate. This is a Red Flag

They may also try to get you to commit to (by signing) a contract, usually one that's 6 months long or more or try to get you to pay down a large sum of money for that kind of time period. This is a BIG red flag

And don’t be fooled by these schools telling you about how many tournaments or competitions their students have entered and placed in or won a trophy, which is NOT a necessity in Martial Arts. Tournaments/competitions can be good to test your own skills at point sparring but again, it’s not necessary because they are the LEAST important aspect to concern yourself with in Martial Arts.

Long story short, these schools will basically "give" you your belt ranks every few months as long as you are paying the outrageous fees per month, and you won't really learn self defense.

Answer 2

Judo is excelent for children and right through until old age. But it is a full contact art. She would not be tought any chokes or armlocks until she is over 14 but would be learning throws and hold downs/pins. Very good for mental dicipine and physical excersise and strength. It teaches key self defenc tactics that Karate or other striking arts won't. Is it realistic to think a 12 y/o can knock out a 200lb man or even kick high enough to hit the persons head. Or how about teaching the 12 y/o how to break a persons grip on there cloaths or simply twist out of their jackets or if they are being pushed or pulled away how to use the momentum of their attacker to trip or throw them to the ground buying them enough time to continue to call for help.

Nothing is a fool proof self defence style but there are limitation to teaching a child arts like aikido or Jujitsu which focus on submissions or a striking art where a child could not even hit hard enough to hurt an adult attacker. Oh and for those that say they can channel their chi and throw a punch twice as hard as a man with proper training... Are just trying to sell you on their dojo.

Answer 3

someone that will teach them the real stuff not classes where the instructer is there to teach everyone that no matter what sex,age,physical ability etc,you can stop anyone with a punch or a kick.it just doesn't happen that way,the common sense verbal stuff from someone that has a clue will help an 8 year old girl more than the physical.to many instructers concentrate to much on punching and kicking as a self defence method.and to many say kick them in the groin,and that is not a very good option especially for a child.

Answer 4

I'd honestly reccomend teacher her how to scream properly. Say fire instead of rape. Which im hoping with her age won't need to be done. The stuff they can truely teacher in that class is stuff you can teach her herself. Bitting, kicking shins (she would be short)....elbowing...stomping. In a class they'd teachyou how to do it effectively....i doubt if she's in a situation where she has to use it, she'll really remember.

Strength matters less as an adult compared to other adults, although it can help.....but as a kid it means a lot.

Now, if you are looking a the long run. Having her start now, will develop skills...although not effective at her age...when she's older and grows up, she'll be pretty good.

For instance, we had a black belt in our class, he was 13 when he got it and by no means could he defend himself against an adult....his bets tactic was to kick in the groin and run.

Another bad situation was a 12 year old got a gun pulled on him for a candy bar. Horrible situation, he ended up disarming the guy, who was a teenager.....but the ensuing beating hospitalized him for a few weeks. Common sense says to give up the candy bar. So there is some downside to teacher someone that age martial arts.

I started out essentially a better fighter than him, but as he grew up and could effectivly use his techniques, he became better than me due to more years of training.

On choosing an art.....i'd chose anything really....when she grows older.....she can decide if she wants to stick with it or not (although she probably will get into the mind set her art is the best and won't switch).

I'd also look into if the martial arts instructor has women's self defense classes. They're usually cheap and can teach you some basic effective techniques.

Answer 5

Hello, as a Martial arts and self defense instructor I encountered a lot of parent s with the same concern. I must say that something is better than nothing. If you can ( and most schools do) look for a school that allows you to see the class and try it out for free. Find a school that meats and teaches the self defense aspects of the art in conjunction with all the other aspects. Also make sure that is a place that she feels comfortable and you feel comfortable. Don't be afraid to look around and ask questions. Good luck.

Answer 6

From quite a few martial arts people I have spoken to, in lots of different disciplines: The best defence is to run. If any practitioner is completely honest, they will admit that you have to be at an awesome level to competently defend yourself in a street fight. You have no idea who that person is, what they are armed with, or anything. If someone on PCP attacks you, you can do pretty much anything to them, They'll just get right back up. I don't know how you can help her protect herself, but I'm not sure martial arts is the way. That said, they are an amazing way to get fit, learn self control, and wise thinking, so from that point of view, an excellent choice.

Answer 7

For anyone saying it's about karate, you're kinda wrong cuz technically Jackie Chan is Chinese and the movie takes place in China, which is where Kung Fu comes from. In the first movie Mr. Miyagi was from Japan and did teach Karate. So there's the difference. The movie should be called The Kung Fu Kid

Answer 8

I also have daughters (x2).

My youngest (10 yrs. old, now) was in Fudokan Karate (a European offshoot of Shotokan Karate) for about three years before she was attacked by five boys her age during recess at her school.

The administration at the school confirmed that my daughter was able to put them all down in a matter of about 2 minutes.

Our dojo emphasizes all aspects of traditional karate, but the sensei (a former Spetsnaz commander) also encourages sparring. The girls also sparred against the boys, and I think that this helped her, too.

Insofar as an attack by an adult, I must concur with what was already proposed above: have your daughter take a self defense course taught by a competent instructor.

Awareness, screaming (i.e, "NO!" "STRANGER!" "LEAVE ME ALONE, STRANGER!"), etc. -type classes might be what's best for your daughter in adult abduction-type protection situations.

Best wishes.

Answer 9

Kempo/kenpo. great all round training and family orientated. you learn more than just the basic Tae Kwon Do techniques (which are just the basics anyway)
TKD never evolves past the basics, so is limited. dont limit your childs abilities just to have point scorers in the family. most other martial arts have competitions, so avoid TKD, its not worth wasting time on when other more extensive styles are available

you should take classes too, and that way you can help your family and her by continuing discussion and training at home.

I agree with the comment about kids fighting adults. a child (even a black belt) cannot compete against the strength and aggression of an adult determined to hurt them. but through training you can show them that they are not invincible, though alternatives are available. but training is better than no training. self confidence is the tool of the strong, and your child will increase her ability to be a more stable and independent child, and adult.

Answer 10

Let her try out Aikido it's great stuff for kids.
Aikido actually doesn't involve any attacks or violence but tries to teach the principles of non resistance and defense instead. Aikido involves a great deal of techniques that allow even a child to overcome an adversary that's bigger or stronger than them. In my years of studying Aikido I've always found that kids are the easiest students. As adults we have picked up the principles of resisting and it's hard to let them go. Kids have a more natural way of picking up what's taught without too much difficulties.
However I'd advise you not to force your child to learn something if they don't want too. I've seen this more than once and
A the child just has no interest i.e. he will not learn anything
B after a while they are bound to give up.
But if they want too, let them enjoy themselves and worry about self defense later. they'll pick it up as they go along