i am thinkin of sending my 8 year old son to martial arts lessons, kenpo tkd, judo are offered close by ?

Question

suggestions on something more for self defense

Answer 1

No striking. Teaching young children to kick and punch, will lead to them kicking and punching things. One bad outcome is when they take it into the schoolyard. Times are changing, and fighting is dealt with very harshly now.

But believe it or not your son might hurt himself worse than the other kid. Small children have bone plates at their wrists. This cartilaginous plate actually turns into their forearm as they mature. They will develop naturally, unless they calcify the plate by punching things like heavy bags. You don’t want your son to grow up to have “alligator arms” do you?

I like Judo for young children, and save the Karate & TKD for young adults.

Answer 2

I'd say get him started in Judo, because the TKD place I was at was basically like a Tae Bo class where we did the EXACT same thing week after week and it drained all my money. And with Judo it's very practical because most school fights people grab and stuff so he would already know how to take them down quickly without getting into alot of trouble. I don't know much about Kenpo though, but thats my two cents.

Answer 3

I highly recommend the book Martial Arts for Dummies. It is an friendly unbiased look at the different popular Martial Arts. It also has advice on avoiding a McDojo. Shop around. As a Tae Kwan Do instructor I have seen many schools that are great with kids yet teach lousy art. So just because your child gets a Black Belt it doesn't necessarily mean he has learned how to defend himself. The quality of the school will determine that. The art is not as important as the quality of the instruction. You will have the Karate, Kung Fu, Silat, Kempo, Karv Magaw, and all the others saying I'm the best. I don't blame them I just have been around long time and have seen many fights and competitions where it was the best man not the specific art that held up. Avoid schools that promise a belt in specific times No two students are alike. A good teacher will advance a student and try hard to keep him up with his peers , but he can't grantee it. Avoid long contracts. Don't lock in to a long contract; this is warning sign. Do sit in and see how the instructors run their classes. Avoid the school were you never see the Master instructor on the floor. Avoid the school where the Master is 25 years old and is a 6dan Black Belt, or is a young guy with black belts in several arts. These are warning signs. Training is expensive you want the real deal, not someone that got their belt from a Mcdojo, the internet, or mail order. Good advice from Puggpaws as usual. I would reinforce his advice as well.

Answer 4

What are looking for your child? Self-defense, becoming physically fit? What? Please add more to your question. Though if you are looking a striking art, kenpo out of the three would be best nd grapples go to judo. TKD isn't bad, but mcdojos (places that offer high ranking without the equivalent skill) have exploited TKD the most. I will admit some dojos are still good, but it's hard to tell.

Answer 5

Depends.. if you want him to have skill on the street id go with Kenpo or Judo. TKD is good, but on the street the attacker wont stand there whilst you kick him which is what TKD is all about. He will try to take you to the ground if its a serious fight. For serious self defence id go with Kenpo or Judo.

Answer 6

I would suggest TKD, only because it is a great foundation style. Kenpo is more self defense, judo might not be exciting to an 8 year old. TKD has really solid kids programs. (what 8 year old doesn't like flashy tecniques?)

Answer 7

What you have listed are Arts. What you asked about is self-defense.

I'm a little puzzled why self defense at 8? Not much your going to be able to teach an 8 year old in the way of self defense..against an adult at least. Is this a bully problem?

I studied martial arts for year and fell out of it because what I found was that I was really interested in self-defense. I am now gradually finding my way back to Martial Arts.

Many people beleave that children should avoid certin martial arts because their body is still forming at a rapid rate. I can't comment on that but it makes you wonder.

My advise- enrole him in some sort of dance or gynnastics. At this age and a few years ahead he needs to learn his body and how to use it. He is encroching the puberty stage when everything is going to wig out on the poor little guy. Sports are great as well. As a child you probibly want to instill a trait of disciplin, stick-toit-avness and teach him how to move in his skin.

By Jr high- self defnese makes more sence. Especially if he is going to public school. In elementry he just needs to know how to avoid a fight and the worst that will probibly happen is a light scrap with another 8-9 yr old. The self denfense he learns as an early teen he can always have with him (ie high school).

A little later I would recomend a martial art- of his chosing! By then he will know if it is something he wants to be devoted to and stick with.

Now, that's just my opinion/gameplan. I hope I explained it well enough to at least spur your own thoughts.

I am almost positive you will find the very helpfull

http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/childsafety.htm

best of luck

Answer 8

Out of those I would tell you to definately put him in judo. What would be even better than that would be to get him on a junior wresteling team. Many cities and towns have teams through the park districts. That would defenately be the most extreme training you could get him right now. I dont mean the wrestling you see on tv. I mean amature wrestling like they do in highschool. Now If He is bent on wearing a gi and looking cool. put him in judo. The thing you have to know about wrestling and judo is that they are highly compettive sports and are very fun. also being sports, they are designed to allow two opponents to go at full speed against eachother without getting hurt too badly. there are injuries yes but it is much safer than training tdk or another striking art at full speed. which is why (especially at his age) noone trains at full speed in any of those arts. so in a real life situation for self defense. If your son takes wrestling or judo he will already know what its like to be facing an opponent who is going to defend himself the best that he can. And You can ask anyone who is a grappler. Nothing will get you more fit, conditioned, and just brute strong for your size. These are all my opinions from experience and I dont mean to offend anyone or there own martial art. I Hope This Helps You

Answer 9

Kempo or Judo. There is less of a chance to get into a mcdojo with these two than TKD. Though, good actual self defense based TKD dojos do exist.

The main thing is, does HE want to learn and how much does each of the places cost?

Answer 10

I just got back into TKD. He will love TKD. I was in TKD when i was 11 or 12 years old. And I finally found a TKD school close to my apartment. I just started last Monday and already have a red stripe on my belt.

I know your son will love TKD while he is in the class.

Answer 11

You should watch the classes. I would recommend TKD but it really depends on how its taught.. where i took it self defense was a big deal but since it is growing as an Olympic sport sparring is becoming more of a priority.

either would be great to teach an 8 year old self defense.