lwbfl

I have two small children (5 and 6)that are learning some wrestling techniques just by wrestling around with me (its our hobby). I've played around with showing them some simple body mechanics and they catch on and use these pointers every time they play. My question is, where do you draw the line with kids training? They are not old enough to make the decision as to whether another kid is horse playing, fighting, or trying to kill them so you can't show them chokes, joint locks, etc. Mine know how to punch properly, simple takedowns, and some ground control. Several friends want me to train their kids, just to try to keep them active, learn discipline, etc. I know that a local TKD school has a kids class, but he's very secretive about it unless you join and sign a TWO YEAR CONTRACT! My BJJ instructor has two kids that kick most of us grown men around at 10 and 12 years old. They have been training since birth I think. I know the individuals maturity has allot to do with what they are ready to learn, but I'm looking for some guidelines and suggestions. Thanks in advance!

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the_nothing

I fully agree that it has to do with maturaty. My little girl is 12 and starting to show an intrest in Karate, but I wouldn't put my 10 year old boy in anything yet because I have a bad feeling that he wouldn't know where to stop.

Ryduce

Well I might be in the minority on this one,and keep in mind that I'm only 17 and I cannot speak from a father's perspective.

I would rather have my son doing something constructive like that than sitting at home playing video games and watching cartoons.Not to mention it's probably safer than other activities because it is being supervised,and they will learn about self-control and discipline.If you are concerned about thier safety keep in mind that every sport your child participates in he or she runs the risk of being hurt.

At the BJJ gym I train at the kids are awesome.They're about 8 or 9 and they always let go as soon as someone taps.The instructors don't even have to tell them.So that shows the amount of discipline that they have.They're very talented too,and I think alot of them could sub me.LOL

I personally believe that a child needs to learn to fight at some point in thier life because you never know when they'll be in a situation where they need to defend themselves.I've seen some kids get messed up real bad in street fights,and the very things that your apprehensive about them learning could very well save thier life one day.

So if your uncomfortable with your child doing that then don't let them,but I personally think it's good for them.

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May all the glory of Brock be with you.

GSPALLTHEWAY

there are some very young children that do TKD or karate, where they pick up important lessons about respect and body control... however to even think about training in anytype of combat below high school is not the best way to go IMO.... but there are some great life lessons they can learn at a young age and get a start on things..

LEGHORN

I'm still working with this issue having two son's (3 & newborn). Fortunately I have some time before the school days. My 3 yr old watched UFC & Pride with me but I wonder about that being a mistake; he likes to "playfight" with me. I have doubts that he will be able to comprehend that it's a SPORT any time soon so I have recently made sure he is busy playing elsewhere when fights are on TV. Fortunately he hasn't shown any aggression toward bigger kids when they snag most of the candy at holiday parades for example.

As the kids grow, I'll plant seeds overtime teaching them that fighting on TV is a sport and is something to not be played with. Then as they show more maturity them I'll explain about last resort self defense and using their mind first. But for now I will continue to think of improvements on these ideas, and be checking back here for anyone's replies who has more experience in this area than I do.

WarDawg

My son is 6 and is in Karate. The Sensi preaches the walk away rather than fight rule. Only as a last result. The kids in my dojo do rather well. Not a problem at all. Adults have the same problem to not to know when to stop also. , WD

SmashingMachine

I agree with Wardawg. I've trained kids as young as four years old by Shihan always preaced the Karate=Last Resort...walking away is the best defense sort of thing. Too, I got in a lot of fights with kids when I was young. I always knew when it was real and when it was play...and I suspect they would too. When it's play there's a light spirit, laughing and carrying on...when it's real people are pissed off and angry with each other...they know the difference in those emotions by now, I'm sure.

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lwbfl

Thanks for the replies guys. My concern is not for thier safety when training as they already do gymnastics and soccer. As a matter of fact, rough housing with me is more dangerous than anything they might encounter at training or sports LOL. My thing is, my son is very passive with everyone, daughter however is the smallest thing around and wants to defend everyone else. I believe she might choke someone or joint lock them if the thought they were being mean to her friends! I think I'll start them out with control techniques and go from there.

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saskfighter

find and read the book wild at heart by john eldridge , it is a great book for how to raise boys to be good men not just people but the men they were born to be . have you ever noticed the natural desire for contest and battle they have , dont put it out .

LEGHORN

I've been here for less than a month and I have sensed true professionals from the start. Wardawg had a good point about adults; I've seen children more mature than their parents when it comes to respect.....usually on a weekly basis where I work at. I hate to see where our society is going but at least there seems to be a group of athletes with pro attitudes here that express good morals when it comes to fighting.