Would I make it in karate? plz help.?

Question

I'm about 5'7'' and 14 years old. I weigh about 120, with some muscle. Oh, and I'm a girl. Am I built correctly to do karate? Some of my friends say I'm to tall. Another problem is that the cartilage in my knee joints is really worn down from my knees dislocating. Would this effect me at all or could it cause a serious injury?

If my knees are an issue, is there ANYTHING I can do to fix them? I desperately want to do karate....

Answer 1

Girl Shirl.......It doesn't matter if you are a girl or not. My wife holds a 1st deg blackbelt in kaja kempo and a 1st deg brown in Issin Ryu. We have been studying together in Issin Ryu for 7 yrs and she studied Kaja Kempo for another 10 prior to us meeting. I know a lot of girls ( and women ) who are very lady like and girlish but could kick the snot out of most people. Karate and the martial arts are what you make of it. Yes your knees may be a problem and a hindrance to you but don't let the "thought" of it stop you. Don't just sit here and ask questions on Yahoo about it. Talk to your parents & doctor and get their opinions. After that start looking around your town to see whats available in the martial arts. You don't say if you live in the boondocks ( like myself ) or a large city. There are a ton of different styles out there and not just Karate. Also, after finding whats available to you talk to the instructors about you concerns and get their opinions. Remember that ultimately the marital arts, whatever style you choose, will be as intense and aggressive and satisfying as you let it be. If you start a style and you don't like it don't let that diswade from trying another. The first, second or even third styles may not be right for you. Lastly do it because you enjoy it. The dojo that you pick can be fun, a wonderful experience and a great second family. Hope you find what you are looking for.

Answer 2

I have had many young ladies as students and the only thing that works against you as far as your height goes is with respect to kata or forms. Longer limbed people have to extend their kicks, punches, strikes, and blocks further or make a bigger motion. When doing this as compared to a person that is somewhat shorter the shorter person's movements will seem a little faster and more precise. Consider two sprinters; one 5' 6" and the other 6' in the hundred meter dash. The shorter ones legs will be turning over and moving really fast since his strides are shorter and the motion with it than the taller sprinters even though they may be running at the same speed.

As for your knee problem I have to disagree with taking TKD and would opt for a traditional Japanese martial art or style of karate. The reason why I say this is that they almost always stress thrust type kicking which means using and extending the lower back and hip when doing kicks. When you are not hitting anything then you have your hip and lower back helping to absorb the stress and strain of kicking instead of just the knee and lower leg with the snap kicks you often see in TKD. I have had a number of students with knee problems train for years without any knee problems because of this aspect.

Answer 3

Do you have problems with dislocations frequently? If you do, you should be doing some kind of therapy to strengthen your joints so they stay in place. I have EDS, a rare disorder where joints all over the body dislocate (as well as other things).

Given this, and size (I am about your size), karate is doable for you. It's more about whether or not you enjoy it. I love it, and I find ways to get around joint problems if they flare up. Do not be scared about size or the fact you are a girl. It's about how good a student you are. I know big beefy guy who are lousy at self defense/karate ( what do you mean I can't rely on my one knockout punch for a trained guy?).

Karate is like any other martial art. There are ways around it. You may not be good at kicks for example, but are really good at punches. A good teacher will help you work through both size and joint issues. Go for it and have fun.

Answer 4

I don't do karate myself but a few other arts that do somewhat the same movements as karate. Normally height or weight should not matter towards your possibility to do karate. As for your knees. Did you dislocate them once or mulitple times. I have a similar issue my knees are offset which means that I have dislocated them manier times sometimes even in class. My doctor says that it ain't too healthy on my knees but I survive without too much discomfort (if I were to listen to the doctor I'd have had 15 operations and probably ended in a wheelchair) the knees can support a lot more than you think. I've never had any problems doing martial arts even though my knees are bad and doing it never caused me any harm. go for it

Answer 5

LOOK no one here is a doctor (and if they say they are how do you really know?) what you need is some profecional advice about what you can and cant do

If you really want to do it I would say go for it, at least a few lessons but if you are going to damage you knee more to the point where you wont be able to walk there is no point since eventually you will not be able to do karate anyway

If you do go take it really really easy especialy at the start, you are only 14 right? you don't need to push it, but see what your doctors say. Maby if you can't do karate you can do Tai Chi or something, I know its a long step away but tis something

Your situation made me feel really upset, i do karate and would not know what I would do without it, i really wish you all the best and that everything will work out for you

Answer 6

Instead of Karate, because of your knees, try Taekwondo. Part of the reason Karate is hard on the knees is because sweeps are allowed (which if done improperly, can really damage the recipient's knees). TKD does not allow anything below the belt, so the only damage to your knees is what you do to yourself. Not to say you won't have probems, but they will be fewer and farther between. Some instructors will allow you to wear knee braces, also (I do), which is not generally accepted in Karate (again, because of what is allowed).

Oh, and size doesn't mater. I'd say tell your friends where to take their comments, but instead of that - why don't you just show them size isn't an issue.

Answer 7

Doesn't matter about your height, weight, age, gender. I am about that size as well, a girl, and I started when I was 12. I have a sister who is a little taller than you. We both just got our black belts a few months ago. I have had some knee problems as well...as far as it affecting you, it depends upon the style. TaeKwonDo would not be good, as that is all kicks. Try American, TaiChi, or some other form of art if your doctor says "No" to this.
Anyone can do karate if they put their mind to it. I have one girl that I teach that had a stroke when she was a baby, and she has to wear a full-body brace for one side. She still does it! So can you!

Answer 8

Your height is fine dont listen to your friends. Your weight and muscle is fine. But the problem is your knee because think about if you went sparring with somebody and they kick your injured leg you will not stand again since you said ur cartilage is worn down. The best choice is do not do karate, just do Kendo (japanese sword fighting) its pretty fun and u love it, especially the tornaments.

Answer 9

I can't say for sure about the knees, but as for the height, Kareem Abdul Jabar studied under Bruce Lee. If you're not familiar with Jabar, he was a famous basketball player back in the 70's and quite tall. If he could do karate, then so can you.

Answer 10

Try to take into account that everybody began as a white belt; even ancient warriors like myself. You are fourteen and its typical so that you can be a bit of anxious approximately commencing whatever that you realize little approximately or can do. Someone has already mentioned it-attempt to chill out and revel in your self however be attentive and take a look at to do your pleasant. Some matters that seem handy you're going to discover rough to do in the beginning and a few you may also discover that you simply can't do very good in any respect. Keep a well constructive perspective and finally you're going to be competent to do it identical to the ones sons and daughters-they simply have the advantage of commencing prior than you. Enjoy!