Karate or Judo? Talk to me about matrial arts please...............

[DrNortherner]

6 year old ds showing an interest in doing some sort of martial art.

Anyone have any expeiences? Which is best?

Will he be kung fu kicking in the playground or will he be sooooo disciplined I will have to call him Danielson.

Thanks

Bump as I am also interested in this one for 8 and 6 year olds.

BUMP again

i dont think there is much difference, judo is more for throws and trips. i did karate at that age and went on to do kung fu then thai boxing. karate is good for discipline yet personally kung fu is the better martial art. but then karate and judo is easier to learn for kiddies that age!

My boys do kung fu. A good instructor should warn them that they are absolutely not allowed to use their 'skills' (on people) outside the dojo. You can then reinforce this at home.

I don't think it makes them more aggressive, if anything, it teaches them how much they could hurt someone with their moves and therefore makes it clearer not to muck about with kicking etc.

A good club/instructor will focus on etiquette, respect, cooperation and safety as much as (if not more than) the physical, fighting aspects. At ds' club, if they don't bow as the enter the dojo they're sent back out again and must come back showing the proper respect. Agree with Justgetonwithit - it helps children to learn how easy it is to hurt someone and encourages them to take more care.

my boys both do Judo ( 9 and 5) , with the older one also doing wing chun kung fu (DP's influence!)

DP strongly prefers judo to Karate as it gives them the close physical contact without the kicking/punching aspect - and ds2 in particular cn be a real little Power Ranger given half a chnace but he loves the throwing (esp his instructors!) in judo.

a vote for Judo!