Martial Arts for kids

[donotknowme]

Anyone have suggestions for specific places for kids to learn a martial art?

[P89]

I Googled your area but couldn't find anything down by the the river.
You'll have to go to a few dojo's and talk with the instructors and see what they offer.
More importantly, see if the kid likes it and is a good fit.

[streaker69]

Couldn't you just find an old Japanese guy how to teach them to whacks on and whacks off?

[Gunsnwater]

George Dillman is a martial arts instructor who popularized the use of pressure points. Dillman is a member of Black Belt magazine's Hall of Fame, and in 1997 was named Black Belt Magazine's "Martial Arts Instructor of the Year". For 30 years, he ran the Northeast Karate Championships. Wikipedia
Residence: Reading, PA
Rank: 10th Degree Black Belt
Style: Ryukyu Kempo Karate
Teacher(s): Seiyu Oyata

[ideaman]

Depending on age. You need to visit various classes to observe. In the beginning, any style would be ok. Discipline is important. I had a school for 15 years.
Some of the rules were: You do not START FIGHTS, if your grades drop, you're out until grades go up etc. It all depends on the age. By the end of a session
they would end up doing about 100 push ups. Developing physical condition is primary.

[donotknowme]

Old Japanese guys are hard to find in this area.
I have my suspicions about George Dillman.
Kids are 6 and 8. I’m not interested in finding a place that teaches them how to fight.

[Carnes]

Old Japanese guys are hard to find in this area.
I have my suspicions about George Dillman.
Kids are 6 and 8. I’m not interested in finding a place that teaches them how to fight.

Do you have any options you are considering?

The primary benefits of martial arts training are discipline, and, 'learning how to fight.'

There are some places that focus on discipline/being a good person, but teach ineffective self-defense strategies. Some places are focused on fighting and winning competitions. Those places don't necessarily focus on the ethics most folks would want imparted to their kids.

Another aspect to consider is accessibility. The best school for your circumstance may be an hour away. Easy access to 'okay' training is sometimes more desirable than overly difficult access to great training. The training that someone does for years is far better than any training that someone quits after a couple months because the logistics are unrealistic.

Find some options that you find that seem realistic, and people can probably give you better info.

That said, if you are near a place that does Gracie Jiu Jitsu, I would start gathering info there first.

[eagleclaw]

George Dillman is a martial arts instructor who popularized the use of pressure points. Dillman is a member of Black Belt magazine's Hall of Fame, and in 1997 was named Black Belt Magazine's "Martial Arts Instructor of the Year". For 30 years, he ran the Northeast Karate Championships. Wikipedia
Residence: Reading, PA
Rank: 10th Degree Black Belt
Style: Ryukyu Kempo Karate
Teacher(s): Seiyu Oyata

George Dillman was caught in a fraud about ten years ago when he claimed he had supernatural powers that he could use to knock someone out without even touching them. This youtube clip shows a skeptic challenging Dillman on his alleged power. As suspected, it didn’t work however Dillman presents an interesting explanation on why it failed at approx. 5:07 in the clip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z0_n7tGnK0

[markshere2]

Judo, learned early, provides lifelong benefits.

Big ole drunk dude at the NCO club wound up on the floor with a WTF look on his face when he laid hands on me.

I explained he should not do that anymore and he agreed.

It was all reaction and muscle memory from lessons 20 years earlier. No thinking at all.

Dunno about jui jitsu as Carnes mentioned.

I would keep the kids away from striking classes until they decide it's a good idea. I know a couple guys that seemed punch drunk after sparring nd fighting for few years.

[streaker69]

Old Japanese guys are hard to find in this area.
.

Put an ad on CL, say you're looking for an old japanese guy to teach your kids about whacking on and off.