Best martial arts for a less sporty child

[Teeh]

My son has said he would like to try a martial art. He has tried judo before, but there was quite a lot of sparring in the class which was difficult as the other children were so much more able than he was. He inevitably lost, even to children who had just joined, he didn’t seem to have the strength or coordination to throw the other kids. I also worried that the other kids would hurt him as they threw him over their shoulders.

I would like him to do a martial art where the focus is on fitness and learning moves - kicks, punches or just fitness moves which build strength whatever, without actually fighting each other. Or in a way that he won’t get hurt at least.

I wondered about tae Kwan do maybe. Does anyone have any advice on martial arts which their children do? He is 12.

Karate has been excellent for our less sporty dc. It's mainly drill training, so practicing kicks and punches in a line rather than sparring against anyone. They do circuit training and games alongside - so dodgy ball and other games to help coordination and spacial awareness

My son did Karate and they didn't spar just did the moves and learnt series of moves to move up belts. I dont know if that was just his class or if all karate is like that.

Yes that’s more the sort of thing I would prefer. Is there two different kinds of karate? I thought I heard there are two different variations on it?

9yo Ds is living mixed martial arts. He started during covid so not sure what it used to be like but it's about accurate punching and kicking not fighting so the kids can improve at their own speed.

We’re trying out a family mixed martial arts class at the moment. It’s got the discipline, fitness and grade progression aspects, but it’s also fun.
Seeing their creaky, overweight mum attempt to join in is definitely reassuring my children that they are never going to be the worst in the class.
It’s not a purist training-for-Olympics type approach, but it’s a good fit for what we needed.

Tae kwon-do is usually very light/touch contact, especially for children. Look for ITF style, rather than the WTF you see at the Olympics, which is full contact (hence all the body armour that actually stops them from kicking properly). ITF focuses as much on patterns (which don’t involve contact at all) as sparring. It’s as much about mental development as sport. It will depend on the individual instructor as well though, so make sure you find one you feel comfortable about.

Yes I think instructor can make a big difference