Posted on 03/07/2017 6:32:44 PM PST by tbw2
My son needs to learn self defense that is practical against physical assaults and bullying. I do not want recommendations for pretty looking martial arts that are utterly useless when your safety is at stake, and ideally something that can be learned in a few classes for the basics to be practical, not a "spend a year here to learn anything of any value".
If you want a sensible, practical, and useful defense system that is not a treadmill for belts you should look at Krav Maga.
Recommend judo or even better, krav maga. It will give him the knowledge and confidence that will help him avoid confrontation, but at the same time get him quickly up to speed with self-defense. As he matures, he may well gravitate to one or more of the other arts.
BTW anything worthwhile will take time to learn. To many movies have been watched. Skill takes practice, practice takes time.
Wrestling is a character builder as well.
http://www.mademan.com/mm/krav-maga-vs-karate.html
Martial arts are really good for kids in many regards. Krav is not a polite spiritual discipline.
Krav Maga or Haganah Israeli style self defense.
Our son was small and blond and already in the early 90s the school he went to was taking on the feel of the ghetto. He took tae kwon do for I think three years and achieved blue belt. One day some large young man said something rude about a girl and C responded with less than respect for the large young man. He followed C around all day kicking at his feet and making whispered threats. Finally, last hour, C punched him and down he went, twice the size of C. And although C was teased and bullied that year, he was not attacked and survived and went on to HS where he basically became a rock star. he sort of still is or so he tells me.
For instance, a 90 lb. woman could break out of a choke hold from a 250 lb man, if she needed to. And if she did it just right, about 1/4 of a second after she broke the hold of two hands around her neck, she could bust the guy right in the teeth with a truly vicious rip of her elbow.
Or not. How much punishment you wanted to dish out was at your discretion. Not sure an 11 year old would have the wisdom to apply that concept. But also true of some 51 year old folks, too.
To defend himself when he’s being hit by bullies.
nothing will keep your kid safe from bullying like a reputation for kicking testicles
Check out his fee online magazine which is full of interesting Information:
Darrin Levine can vouch for him as one of the best Krav Maga instructors in the nation. https://www.kravmaga.com/about-us/about-darren-levine/
Tae Kwon Do
Teaches discipline and fighting.
There is a difference between in the ring and on the street and a good teacher will explain and demonstrate.
I liked the tenets: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-control and Indomitable spirit
P.S. - I should have mentioned that certain gyms offer classes for kids which are highly effective. Good luck - I hope there’s something in your area that you can check out.
If you can, take your son with you and go interview local instructors. Krav Maga, wrestling, even boxing might interest him, which I think, would be best indicator of his success.
Krav if you want him to injure his attackers, Judo if you just want him to be a nice boy. I took Judo as a kid. Never had a school yard fight. No matter how big or how strong they got tossed aside. I was not a big kid and as I do today I had a smart mouth. Quite a few people wanted to shut it. Judo is an “oops, you fell” Krav is a “You really don’t need your balls anyway”
Brazilian Ju-Jitsu - most fights end up on the ground anyway at his age.
Krav Maga for possible bar room fights - I normally only recommend this for those that make a habit to get into fight situations.
A defense class which is based on Ju-Jitsu or Judo. Both will beat Karate and have in the world championships since 1950 or so.
The defense class stresses ending the fight early. I have studied and competed in Karate and it is much easier to put someone on the ground with Judo or Ju-Jitsu and then get the H@ll out of there, which is the whole point of the defense.
I was attacked three times several years ago and used Yang school Tai Quan do and I won. But that is a bit advanced.
I agree. Isshin Ryu Karate
<My kids have been doing for 3 years.
1 green belt, one blue belt.
Learn how to fight dirty.
http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/vault/vault/6-dirty-street-fighting-techniques-for-self-defense
Sometimes all it takes is a willingness to stand up for yourself and enough ability to give as good as you get. Make it so the aggressor knows he’s going to receive some hurt and he’ll move on to someone else. When I was in high school in the ‘60’s we had PE segments where we all learned boxing and wrestling. It soon became apparent who you didn’t mess with but also instilled confidence in those like myself that if need be I could hold my own. Of course they teach that in PE now days...if they have PE.
I used Yang school Tai chi Quan, not Karate
Sheesh
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