Self Protection and Martial Arts for Kids

My kids are at a good age to get into martial arts, and self protection ought to be a large part of it. Theyre both keen, but we haven't been impressed thus far with many of the clubs around our way. most of it seems to be warming up and stretching, then running around chasing footballs.

Anyone have any recommendations for a style to look at? I'm going down to our local BJA judo club in a couple of days, that must be up there as a good style for kids to start out in? My little boy loves wrestling on TV so the ability to throw people on the deck would definitely appeal to him!

Just as a side note - I am NOT impressed with "Defence Labs", seems to be all about selling franchises.

which area are you in mate?

Worcester.

If they were my kids i would suggest judo, good grappling skills, the ability to learn how to full and get comfortable with people being 'inside your space'

plus when kids turn to youths and then into adults all judoka seem have the strength of a bloody bull, something that is quite handy later in life if strentth becomes a factor in a confrontation, whether its strking or grabbing hold of someone.

Alternately boxing, learn how to punch with power, and all boxers learn to take punches, again usefull if someone tries to 'clock' you one out in the street, boxers seem to shake it off better, then the other guy is in a worl of hurt

While we want our kids to learn to look after themselves unfortunately they won't participate in martial arts unless they want to.

My daughter is 8 and I have taught her a couple of things but she is more interested in swimming, tennis, netball and singing to want to do martial arts. She just isn't interested. My 2yr old son loves wrestling with me and I think he might be more interested in physical martial art training as he gets older. I've already taught him a chin jab and a very simplistic form of the shredder.

Alternatively, I made my daughter go to a short seminar specifically for kids self protection that was run by a friend of mine. She really enjoyed it but the focus wasn't on physical responses but more about trusting their instincts, recognising signs when an adult is trying to trick them, not to go to another location with someone, not keeping secrets from their parents, yelling and running to safe places for help etc etc. There were some physical responses but the main focus was essentially teaching the children how to listen to their instincts and understand what it means when something doesn't feel right. My friend has written a book on the subject of kids self protection and it is very good and well worth a read.

While most MA's don't comprehensively teach children how to look afer themselves i.e. they focus solely on physical techniques that won't work most of the time, they do offer a lot of other positive attributes such as co-ordination, strength, balance, discipline, fitness, enjoyment, friendships, confidence etc.

Judo, judo, judo

how old are they?

My son is 7 and my daughter is 11. I've shown them a few moves and made them aware of space around them, who is near them, avoiding situations etc, just be good to get them into a club where they can practise properly and see if it's really for them.

Hi,
you may check this program, its target audience is kids and teens

Many thanks for your reply...

...but...

are you for ***ing real?

"Teentendo"??

I wish you the best of luck with your endeavours.

Judo...then teach them how to throw a couple of punches and bobs yer uncle...fannys yer aunt you are good to go