Martial Arts for Kids

Killme00

If you were 14 again, what martial art would you choose and why? How suitable is MMA training for kids or should they learn Judo and Boxing at this age.

yomchi

Personally I wouldn't change a thing if I had to do it all again.
Any MA that promotes a healthy attitude and trains in a manner that the person involved becomes athletic, fit and strong is worth its salt IMO. Functional training methods are the key
From an instructors point of view and my own experiences, I have had kids who have come to my club from other MA's. For example the one's that have boxed or kickboxed, they in general understand distance/timing in sparring, they would be adept at coordination drills and more or less athletically fit and coordinated. Some kids that have come from a different type of MA unfortunately couldn't put one foot in front of the other, couldn't throw a simple jab and found coordination difficult. Thats the reality of it, although it's a sweeping statement, it's in the most true.

So to repeat, any MA that promotes athleticism is the way to go!

Roper

I would agree with Jon. Athleticism is the key and the more general the better at a young age, which is why I think MMA training is the way to go. 5 years down the line from now if a 14 year old kid decides he doesn't like getting punched too much he can just focus on grappling, or vice versa. At 14 you should be exposed to lots of different things, and coached to be a fit, begin getting strong and be a good generalist. You can specialise later.

This question wasn't per chance brought about by watching my kids spar MMA last night was it?

yomchi

Brings in another question for me, maybe you could answer Barry as a coach to MMA kids.
The whole world over recognises the MA's and the belt system, especially kids as they fall for the whole "belt means everything thing!"
The belts do provide a short term goal for kids, and with kids short term goals are needed to provide motivation and awards etc. How do MMA coaches with kids get around this shicane? Or are belts awarded? or what way is it done?

Ta!

mark.leonard

I run bi-annual gradings and have fighters preside over them. Gives the kids a chance to show their parents what they can do more than anything.

Generally the material I test is whatever I have worked with them in the previous couple of months.

terry_s

My 4 year old recently started MMA and loves it , i have to take my hat off to the instructor in how he runs the class very impressive.

Have to agree with jon about the Athleticism but i also think that making new friends and feeling part of a team is important too.

Roper

Jon wrote: »

Brings in another question for me, maybe you could answer Barry as a coach to MMA kids.
The whole world over recognises the MA's and the belt system, especially kids as they fall for the whole "belt means everything thing!"
The belts do provide a short term goal for kids, and with kids short term goals are needed to provide motivation and awards etc. How do MMA coaches with kids get around this shicane? Or are belts awarded? or what way is it done?

Ta!

I do a belt system for the kids, partly because it's what people expect and partly because it's nice for smaller kids to see that they're making progress. The tests are really informal, we try to get the parents to come along and the kids can show off their new skills. It's a massive thing for kids to be praised in front of their parents.

I've kept the same thing up for the teenagers but they sometimes forget that they have belts at all. I think 99% of those guys don't give a damn whether they get a belt or a pat on the back they just enjoy the training.

Killme00

Roper wrote: »

This question wasn't per chance brought about by watching my kids spar MMA last night was it?

Yep in part it was. I was thinking about what i was doing at that age and to be honest i was fighting in semi contact competitions with Kung Fu and Kickboxing. Those kids would have wiped the floor with me (probably even now, except i have the human blanket move down to a tee!). I was very impressed by their all round game.

If i could do it all again with the knowledge i have now and the mistakes i have made, it would be MMA for me all the way.

My 14yo brother lives in Donneycarney and wants to start martial arts. He has done some Kung Fu and TKD. Guess what my next question is?

Roper

Get him down!

Nothingcompares

I'm not a coach and my experience in training/teaching kids is minimal. But when ever a discussion about kids martial arts gradings come up I like to say the following things

1. Kids should never fail a grading. There should always be some award ~(whether its new belt or tag)
2. The gradings should imitate the classes and class structure as much as possible.