Kids & martial arts/self defence

Queen-Mise

Hi,

I have two kids (boy of 11 & girl of 7) and I'd like to bring them to a martial arts class. For my comfort as a parent I want them to be able to defend themselves when they are older.

Both of them would benefit from the discipline and training of a class - her in particular, she is as tough as nails. So control and discipline would help her tremendously (I am also considering bringing her to ballet at the same time - teach her to have grace & control).

I am not really interested in competitions and that whole side of it. Both of them play GAA - so they will learn how to win and lose there.

I am in Carlow - so they are a few different options. There is Karate, Jiu-jitsiu (sp?), Wing Chun Kung Fu. The nearest kick-boxing I can find is in Kilkenny.

What do ye suggest as a martial arts class for training and being able to defend yourself?

cowzerp

to defend yourself it must be competition style in my opinion, I know several people who are trained in Non competitive arts who in the real world would be lost in a fight, They'll be great at demo's though.

Competition pits you vs non compliant fighter so as close to a real situation as you will get

Queen-Mise

cowzerp wrote: »

to defend yourself it must be competition style in my opinion, I know several people who are trained in Non competitive arts who in the real world would be lost in a fight, They'll be great at demo's though.

Competition pits you vs non compliant fighter so as close to a real situation as you will get

That's fine - competitions are on the cards then. I don't mind really. Thanks.

Peetrik

There is Thai Boxing in Bengalstown if thats close to you. You mentioned Kickboxing so Thai might interest you, also its competitive.

Best of luck

Queen-Mise

Peetrik wrote: »

There is Thai Boxing in Bengalstown if thats close to you. You mentioned Kickboxing so Thai might interest you, also its competitive.

Best of luck

thank you - that I would never have founded. Just send them a message on FB.

This sounds ideal...

CIARAN_BOYLE

Queen-Mise wrote: »

I am in Carlow - so they are a few different options. There is Karate, Jiu-jitsiu (sp?), Wing Chun Kung Fu. The nearest kick-boxing I can find is in Kilkenny.

What do ye suggest as a martial arts class for training and being able to defend yourself?

Have you any experience yourself? To be honest there are a lot of good martial arts clubs around but there are also a lot of poor ones. A good club has more of an influence than style does imo.

If you drop in yourself and have a look around and work out which clubs work for you it might be a good idea.

Queen-Mise

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

Have you any experience yourself? To be honest there are a lot of good martial arts clubs around but there are also a lot of poor ones. A good club has more of an influence than style does imo.

If you drop in yourself and have a look around and work out which clubs work for you it might be a good idea.

No experience myself at all. If I like what they are doing - I might take it up myself.

I have no clue really at all at what I am looking at.

cowzerp

Queen-Mise wrote: »

No experience myself at all. If I like what they are doing - I might take it up myself.

I have no clue really at all at what I am looking at.

Best thing would be to bring him to that thai boxing club and see if he enjoys it

silat liam

cowzerp wrote: »

to defend yourself it must be competition style in my opinion, I know several people who are trained in Non competitive arts who in the real world would be lost in a fight, They'll be great at demo's though.

Competition pits you vs non compliant fighter so as close to a real situation as you will get

I think that's a very general sweeping statement. There are also many people who take part in all types of martial arts competition who also would be lost in a street fight. Sparring and realistic training are all beneficial, but taking part in competition is not the be all of everything, and may not be suitable for all children, different children have different needs. If self defence (physically or awareness) is your aim or enjoying benefits of martial arts then look around on what is on offer in your local area. Let you kids try out the different clubs, and if they enjoy the club, the training and the teacher then you're on the right path.

Peetrik

CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: »

To be honest there are a lot of good martial arts clubs around but there are also a lot of poor ones. A good club has more of an influence than style does imo.

I fought two of the fighters from Carlow Thai, both had been well trained and knew exactly what they were doing. Carlow Thai is an excellent club IMO.

silat liam wrote: »

I think that's a very general sweeping statement. There are also many people who take part in all types of martial arts competition who also would be lost in a street fight.

I understood him to mean that competition is a necessary factor in training as opposed to anyone who trains in any competitive style is well able to handle themselves.

I think he's dead right too. Either competing yourself or at least training/sparring with people who do compete is a must IMO as it promotes non compliance in sparring where they learn what actually works for them and it ramps up the fitness and standard of the competitors, not to mention it being good for club moral and inspiration of those who don't/can't compete themselves.

Well either competition work on a door... although 11 and 7 are a bit young for that

Queen-Mise

Peetrik wrote: »

There is Thai Boxing in Bengalstown if thats close to you. You mentioned Kickboxing so Thai might interest you, also its competitive.

Best of luck

Went to it tonight and he loved it. The awkward one was going to be him, she was willing to any of the martial arts. He was really against any of the 'formal' ones - like karate, with its uniforms, and katas. [I have probably insulted every karate instructor in the country with that comment - sorry]

We arrived about 10 minutes late as I was driving around Bagnelstown in circles. But found it anyway - it was really scary going in, a barn door in what looked like an empty industrial estate. If werewolves were ever going to come out and attack it was there

When we got in there, there was about ten kids - kicking and punching bags. The trainer(s) were excellent, repeating instructions, getting technique right. Last 20 was spent sparring in the ring.

It will be 12/13 mile drive each way now on a Wednesday, but really don't mind because the two of them loved it.

Peetrik

Great to hear it! Hope they both continue to enjoy it

Zen65

Queen-Mise wrote: »

He was really against any of the 'formal' ones - like karate, with its uniforms, and katas. [I have probably insulted every karate instructor in the country with that comment - sorry]

No offence taken at all. Some people love the traditional stuff and others don't. With kids in particular the training is only as beneficial as their enjoyment of it, because they can quickly reach a point where they want to drop out. You did good to find a place that suits them, I hope it works out. While you're at it, why not take it up yourself?

Z

Queen-Mise

Zen65 wrote: »

No offence taken at all. Some people love the traditional stuff and others don't. With kids in particular the training is only as beneficial as their enjoyment of it, because they can quickly reach a point where they want to drop out. You did good to find a place that suits them, I hope it works out. While you're at it, why not take it up yourself?

Z

I was thinking that alright. It is 'down and dirty' type place - no one is going to be looking or judging. No major egos or ceremony going on.

I'll leave it a few weeks and watch a bit more and I might head out to one of the adult training nights.