Why jiu jitsu is one of the best martial arts for kids

As we all know, martial arts are wonderful for kids. But I feel some are better or more beneficial than others. Here are some steps to identify if they are worth your time:

• Are the things you are learning realistic or based in scenarios that could occur in real life? If you are learning to use chi blast, Dim Mak (death touch) or five point exploding heart technique you may need to seek help. Would those skills be something your child could use in a situation in which they had to defend themselves?  Be honest with yourself, is this really worth pursuing with you and your child’s limited time?  Probably not.
• Is it really difficult to achieve success or competence in that specific martial art? If you see eight year old children as black belts… it’s probably not worth your energy. Bonus consideration: if you as an adult have to call that eight year old “black belt” sir?  Run the other way.
• Are you and the art tested daily? In this day and age with the rising popularity of MMA (mixed martial arts) and other high contact martial arts, it is surprising that the “woo woo” martial arts are still around. For example your typical Americanized Karate school where students can barely kick above their waist or fight their way out of a wet paper bag.  Martial arts like muay thai, wrestling, judo, kickboxing and jiu jitsu are constantly tested on and off the mats, in and out of the cage. These arts are based in reality and are practices with resisting opponents in a real-life scenario.

 

So, what makes jiu jitsu or grappling the best option for your child?

• First I love striking arts and are they worthwhile to train? Absolutely 100%
• With the advent of social media we have seen so many videos online in which someone throws a punch and knocks out a guy and that guy’s head hits the concrete- severely injuring or killing him.  If your child purely trains in a strictly combat oriented martial art like MMA, they may end up seriously harming someone or spending time in jail for assault if they use their skills in a real-life situation.
• Jiu Jitsu on the other hand is highly effective in controlling an opponent and either putting them to sleep or holding them until law enforcement shows up with minimal risk to you and them.