jazzys

Hi guys, Just wondering if anyone can recommend a type of self defence class for kids. My son doesn't want to take part in competitions or anything, he just wants to learn the skills to defend himself shoul the need ever arise.

We're in brisbane

Thanks
Jazzys

Bernieboy

Ju-jitsu,without doubt the best martial art for the 'street',i have been studying it for nearly 20 years and would highly recommend it,there are a few good clubs in Brisbane

jazzys

Thanks, i actually knoiw a guy who is a jujitsu coach so i may have to get in touch.

Are specific self defence classes not more suitable than learning a martial art though?

Jazzys

Deancm

I have to disagree. Are you talking traditional Ju-Jitsu or BJJ? Either way, for the street the traditional martial arts are good to build up a good skills base but for effectiveness on the street they can give a false sense of confidence. I have seen many a martial artist get his arse kicked on the street, usually by boxers, kick boxers or thai boxers.

Depending on how old your kids are, for a no nonsense self-defence you probably can't beat Krav Maga and it won't take years to become proficient, unlike the traditional martial arts.

Bernieboy

It is good to mix n match, but in my experience only when you have gained a good foundation in one art,for kids it's important to get them to learn one discipline first before they start to experiment.

jazzys

My son is 14, but a small and wiry lad

Thanks
Jazzys

Deancm

If it was my son I would take him down to a boxing gym.

Bernieboy

Perfect,ju-jitsu is not about strengh,it's about speed, using yer opponents size/weight against themselves,defusing the threat and getting away.Im 5' 7" and not very strong but have done pretty well against much larger opponents.mainly due to speed and form.

Bernieboy

Excellent training,in fact prob second to none but not always a good form of street defence.

jazzys

Sorry guys, i won't be taking him to a boxing gym, yep the training will get him fit as fire but those punches round the swede won't do him any good will they.

I realise we will get people sticking up for their particular form of martial art, but i suppose what i'm really asking is are dedicated self defence classes a better option?

Jazzys

Bernieboy

No,they are too boring,provide no discipline and are too A to B to C,they offer very little if any variation,good luck with whatever yer kid get's involved in,let him try a few different classes and see what he has most fun with,tis important he has fun

Deancm

I agree. As far as hands are concerned, nothing beats it but it does have its' limitations. One of the main pros for boxing is that it is full contact, unlike the martial arts.

For self defence for a 14 year old it would be all that he needs and he would be relatively good (from a self defence perspective) after 6 months of training. The problem with a martial art like Ju Jitsu (or any other MA for that matter) is for it to be effective it takes years if training.

paulry

Krav Maga is one of the best self defence martial arts that I know of

Deancm

I've had more injuries from martial arts training (broken fingers, toes) than I have ever had from boxing/kick boxing. The only injury I had from boxing was a busted nose.

If you're going to play with fire you will get burnt. If your going to learn how to fight, you will get hit. Don't worry about it, it will toughen him up and at amateur level, any serious head injuries are non existent. More likely to get a worse injury from playing netball!

Krav Maga is pure self defence. Even with that though he will get hit. Learning how to get hit is actually a good thing in a self defence situation.

jazzys

The guy i know who is a jujitsu coach used to train the police force in self defence so i suppose if its good enough for them, then it should be ok for my lad.

I'll have a chat with him i think

Jazzys