OT: Karate for kids

Coach34

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Jul 20, 2012
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I'm planning on putting both boys in karate for the discipline, agility, toughness, etc it teaches.

What is the best age to begin?
What do you look for in a teacher?
Is there a particular type/discipline that is recommended over another?
 

PBRME

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Feb 12, 2004
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Hopefully it won't turn your boys into what it turned my nephew. A little shin kicking ********.
 

T-45fixer

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Aug 22, 2012
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Try Han Mu Do coach, should be someone who teaches in Shreveport. The HQ is in Baton Rouge and they have a web site. My son takes it here in Meridian.
 

ShrubDog

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Apr 13, 2008
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Best Age - ASAP

I started in Taekwondo at an early age. Gets kids interested with the many kicks and punches. Well balanced attack for tournament fighting.

Ask the Sensei if you can watch a class to get a feel if you and the boys like him and students. Check his credentials...
 
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Railin Jemmye

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Oct 29, 2012
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My advice: You should take it with your kids......

....and go in with the same general outlook as you bring to this board. It will take you about one class with a good instructor, and he will have erased your fragile ego from existence. The world will be a better place.
 

futaba.79

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Jun 4, 2007
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karate...........

I started at 10. There were several kids that had obviously been there a lot longer than me. It was great for me. I wasn't a very good athlete as a little boy and then suddenly I was. You need the right sensei, a guy that's tough but compassionate too. You want the students to respect him but not hate him.

I like shotokan karate. It's very direct and to the point. Really good for self defense/fighting purposes. I'd go to tournaments and fight all these guys from fancier style clubs and they'd jump and spin and all that crap. I'd wait for them to land and then kick their ***.
 

Coach34

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Jul 20, 2012
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....and go in with the same general outlook as you bring to this board. It will take you about one class with a good instructor, and he will have erased your fragile ego from existence. The world will be a better place.

?????

My ego is about as fragile as Tom Brady's....but we're talking about karate Sybil- stay on topic
 

FISHDAWG

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Dec 27, 2009
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actually it's a great idea to take it with your kids ... can't beat the

stretching and the workout is usually pretty good ... Shotokan is primarily for tournaments ... Tae-Kwon-Do is an aggressive style ... Jiu-Jitsu is a true self defense style (como of Judo, Karate, and Aikedo which is holds and pressure points ) while not being glamorous (if you can kick someone in the groin and run then do it ! ) ... hope that helps a little but the workouts are great for adults
 

KurtRambis4

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Aug 30, 2006
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If possible

get them into mixed martial arts or boxing. I'm not sure of their age, so that could play a factor.
 

chew1095

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Feb 1, 2009
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Good question Coach. I have been thinking of doing the same with my daughters. Any thoughts on what age is appropriate for girls? I have given thought to taking with them as well. If anyone has any recommendations in the Jackson area, it would be greatly appreciated.
 

downwarddawg

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Mar 3, 2008
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Tai Kwondo is great for discipline and just keeping a kid active. It will teach him manners and give him confidence. There is a lot of sparring involved so he will learn some good fihting skills. What it will not do is turn him intoa great fighter. That comes from mixed martial arts and a lot more aggressive discipline than taikwondo. My son is a Level II Black Belt in Tai Kwondo and had belts in jui jitsu and Han Mu Do (sp??). He has won multiple World Championships in sparring, Tradition Forms, and Free Style Forms. PM me and I can tell you more about it. It was really good for him bu like everything else, it grew tiresome after sveral years. He is a very well manner young man and will "yes sir/no sir" you to death.
PS. He's only 13 so I can still kick his little ***.
 

Railin Jemmye

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Oct 29, 2012
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I agree. But if you go in there all cocky like Coach34 is sure to do...they'll beat your *** up until you get rid of it or quit.
 

QuadrupleOption

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Aug 21, 2012
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oldest is about to be 4. Wanted to get him started before too long- or no later than 5 if that was recommended

My two oldest (11 and 8) as well as myself (40) all take Kung-Fu from a local place in Jackson. I'm not sure how much a 4 year old would gain from the instruction to be honest but most places should offer a 'little tykes' class that runs once or twice a week for about half an hour.

As for style, everyone will tout the virtues and shortcomings of various ones, but the most important thing is to a) make sure they enjoy it, and b) pick an instructor who teaches them that kicking someone's ***, while always an option, should always be the LAST option you pick.
 

Arloguthrie

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Nov 3, 2012
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Hyun Mi’s in Bossier City has a fine reputation. Hyun’s a good fellow, but if you’re late on your bill he’s notorious for coming to your workplace (you should be ok on this) and shouting, “You got something for MIIIII!” Just wanted to give you a heads-up given your history of welshing.
 

KurtRambis4

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Aug 30, 2006
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I'm sure

you'll probably think this is gay (sorry nafoomers), but I'd look into getting them involved in a swim team. There's no better way endurance activity out there than this. If they stay involved with it, they'll be beasts.
 

GulfCoastDawg

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Oct 19, 2009
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C34 taking karate with his kids??

 

msuJD164

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Dec 1, 2008
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I'm planning on putting both boys in karate for the discipline, agility, toughness, etc it teaches.

What is the best age to begin?
What do you look for in a teacher?
Is there a particular type/discipline that is recommended over another?


Started both of mine a few months ago in tae kwon do. One is 5 and one is 3. Both just broke their first board yesterday. They were so excited. They both now say yes sir and yes maaam anytime anyone asks them anything. They have learned a lot of discipline. They both love it. The teacher is strict, but has a good time with them at the end of class, playing dodge ball.
 

DAWG61

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Feb 26, 2008
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This guy



Or this guy



Seriously though if you're going to put them in mixed martial arts you should also put them in gymnastics and ballet. You'll have little Bruce Lee's in no time.
 

Hanmudog

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Apr 30, 2006
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I second this.

Try Han Mu Do coach, should be someone who teaches in Shreveport. The HQ is in Baton Rouge and they have a web site. My son takes it here in Meridian.

Hence my username.

I got my black belt in it several years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. I know there are several places in Louisiana that have instructors because it is based out of Baton Rouge with Dr. Kim.