To think martial arts is out because of forward roll fear?

Rather than picking a specific type of martial art, I would definitely go and watch a few classes and find the right club. It's not necessarily the sport that makes it, it's how inclusive and encouraging the instructor is, what level the overall group is, and how competitive is is.

I also hate doing forward rolls, struggled with them as a child and I had never attempted backward rolls at all. I learned to do all of them plus more, in my forties, in Brazilian jiu jitsu. They weren't a requirement - whether you actually need them depends on the type of jiu jitsu you choose to make your own - but the movements we did in class helped me get used to the sensation and we were taught safe ways to do them (how to slow them down, avoid rolling over your neck etc) There was no pressure that we had to do them (we had to learn how to fall safely if we did judo style takedowns, but not necessarily forward rolls and we could sit out of things we weren't comfortable with)

I've done various other martial arts and have found in all cases, some schools are better for beginners and hobbyists, others for those who want to compete/are natural athletes. Any good instructor will let him observe a class or do a trial class to see if it's a good fit or not.

My ds does karate and I don’t think he’s ever had to do a forward roll. It’s all nanchukas and sparring looks quite good fun by all accounts. Perhaps try that instead of judo?

Same I have done karate for 5 years and have never had to do a forward roll.

Try Karate, no rolling about, but not so much fun as Judo - you never really get hold of them.

I've done 3 different martial arts over the years. Forward rolls were not required for two of them and taught as a shoulder sort of roll for the third, in class. We didn't have to be able to do it before we went.
Look at different styles - there's more than one style of karate for example.

I would agree that karate could be a good fit. My DC have been going for 4 years and have progressed steadily through the belts. They are only entered for grading when ready and there’s no pressure to move on quickly.
My eldest has started contact sparring (1:1 fighting) now but only after a long time of non-contact practise fights. They don’t hurt each other - just score points for gentle taps.
The thing I like most about our club is that the instructor instills the values of respect, confidence and resilience all the time. They learn how to defend themselves from bullies in a way that won’t get them into trouble.
No forward rolls involved!

Taekwondo features no forward rolls at all (and, at least at my club, no contact at all unless you specifically signed up for the contact sessions once you were better trained). It was more about self-discipline and precision than anything, but still a martial art and no forward rolls needed!

my teens took up Tang Soo Do.

no forward rolls required.

you could, if you chose, do some sparring where limited physical contact was permitted but you had to have the correct protective gear (helmet etc) to be allowed to choose to do it.

otherwise pretty much no contact unless by consent (eg the instructor might ask to demonstrate something and say I am going to touch you here to show where to aim sort of thing)

Same! Black belt in karate and never done forward rolls. I’ve also done jiu jitsu and lots of rolls, falls etc in that.

This might be a bit left field but you mention he has been into drama, what about street dance if he is happy performing? 13 is not an unusual age to get into it and as there are fewer boys than girls doing it there are lots of opportunities for them. He has a higher chance of getting into a competitive group in due course, for example. But even so, it is a good cardio and team activity.

I think when it comes to clubs at age 13, it's all about trying them out. Go at normal training time and watch for a bit. You can see the age range attending, how the instructor interacts with the trainees and how class is structured. If your DS likes what he sees ask for a taster session- my DC's martil arts club did 3 free lessons...

I would also have another look at cadets. My DS loves going, they do a lot more than just polishing boots. He's been to summer acivity camp (rock climbing, mountain biking...) , has done an extensive first aid course and been to air shows - both helping out and as visitor. They even organise a yearly careers fair with local companies as well as the Forces and other uniform services (ambulance & fire) for GCSE & Level students.
He's made some lovely friends that he meets up with outside cadets as well. And yes, he will wash & iron his clothes as well as polish his boots before the goes.

DS does karate. No forward rolls involved there. It’s also a very inclusive and supportive martial arts academy.

learn at your own pace, spar if you want to, but not forced to. Sounds just up your DS’ street. If you are near LS24 I’ll give you the details! X

I did kickboxing. Never did a forward roll.

What about police or fire cadets?

I used to do MMA and kickboxing and while some people did forward rolls to be honest it was never a requirement nor did I do one in 4 years.

Find a different class! I

I do goju-ryu karate, brown belt, as an adult. Some of us have sports injuries or health conditions. Forward rolls are one six-weekly exercise among many, and one I can't do. The (highly-qualified) instructors learn our individual limitations and often call us out before we bow out ourselves. Commitment and respect are valued above brute strength and pigheadedness. All ages train in close proximity, and have the same consideration. Find the right dojo.

Like someone else said, go to a few clubs, see how they're run. Find one that he feels comfortable with and go from there.

DS is 12 and has been doing taekwondo since he was 5. They’ve a class for smaller ones age 4-7 then after that it’s for people of all ages. The style they do is ITF - international taekwondo federation - which I think is the more popular one in the UK, and he’s never done a forward roll and can’t do them to save his life.

they start off on a white belt and work there way up through yellow, green, blue etc but between each main colour belt there’s different colour stripes. It generally not until they’re much higher up the belt order that they’ll do contact sparring and it’s with the full head gear, mouth guard, shin pads, gloves, feet protectors etc before they do.

it’s developed his confidence massively, he’s made some really good friends and been brilliant for self defence techniques.

if you’re Leeds based or nearby let me know.

I’m a karate instructor and I’ve never done a forward roll!

It’s a great thing for kids to get into for discipline, self confidence and general fitness. I would suggest you pick a traditional karate club because it’s not all about sparring. A good club will introduce your son to that in a safe way. When we spar, we are looking to make contact with our partner but not to hurt them. When you take your black belt grading there’s a part of the grading where you are expected to demonstrate proper control.

I do Shotokan and if you like the sound of traditional karate I can suggest associations if you want. We are in a traditional association, with visits from Japanese instructors a few times a year.

@TaylorWift YABU and being ridiculous.

It is ONE club that has a requirement that he doesn't meet.

Martial arts is about finding the right club for you.

We started MA with a large franchise with a blue and red logo and disovered it was very money orientated. Pay to progress and they passed anyone who paid. We then moved to another club and 5 years later we are still there. A much better club for my autistic son. I train with my kids in a family class.

Just check out some more local clubs. Avoid any that have big grading fees and only teach certain kicks/punches per belt level. I'd also perhaps avoid some of the clubs that are way too serious like the one you have already approached- they're not the most inclusive. Lead instructors should also have 10+ years experience and black belt +!! At some of the franchises, we discovered some of their instructors had only been doing MA for a year!

Keep looking and you'll find the right club.

Another one that is good similar is Tang Soo Do. Chuck Norris is an expert in that.

I'm a 3rd Dan in karate and have had my own club since 2016 and been training for years. I dont demand my students do anything they're not ready for.

We'll do shoulder rolls and break falls etc, but with support, and if a student really cant or d[isn't want to do it that's fine. There are plenty of other things they can do.

Sounds to me like you need to find a different class. If karate is your desire, you need to find a more traditional club as opposed to a "sports" club.

Wado Ryu Karate