question for martial arts experts

The sooner the better. Maybe when he's about 5 or 6 he can start in pee wee karate classes.

 

Generally around 3 or 4 years.

 

around 6-7. Before that it's pointless. This is the age where he goes to school and he'll have interest in defending against bullies(if he is raised/taught properly(no offense)).

 

no younger than 6 or you're wasting your money. also make sure its not a shitty school, if he starts at 6 he still shouldn't be testing for a black belt when he's 11-12.

 

Yep I agree with this one. The ages i started Taekwondo and got my blackbelt.

Although if the kid is very good at it he could get to a black belt quicker through double gradings etc. Well at least in the UK. Not sure about the US.

 

:rofl :rofl

 

I've start doing karate at the age of 5, and i've got my black belt in kyokushin karate at 12. So yeah, wait a couple of year.

 

6 0r 7

 

If i was you i would start him in judo, it isnt as abrasive as mma so for a child its just right. He would learn, real offensive and defensive teqnique that works against a resisting opponent and it would set him up for when he is older physically and mentally for other reality combat training. Karate is useless, for striking i would recomend non contact kickboxing. Hope that helps you never know you may have a future ufc champion as a son!

 

honestly. wat i wud do is start him at wrestling in 2nd grade(thats the earliest around here) then start him at boxing at 7. that is much better then TKD.

 

what i was going for was the even if you start him young he shouldn't be testing for black belt at a good school until he's at least 16, realistically 18 would be better. A kid just doesn't get it enough to really earn the belt. Start him in something around 6 though because it'll help build his morals. The wrestling and judo instead of TKD were good ideas, avoid MMA for a kid.

 

You dont want the little fella learning a useless art at such a young age. The egregious mistakes, of the non fighting martial arts should be avoided for anyone because they develop dangerous habits like high kicks etc.

 

at a young age most places won't even teach the art, it's more along the lines of character building and good social interaction. There's nothing wrong with having an ability to kick high and on top of that most places would tell their students to keep kicking to the ribs or lower if they actually got into a fighting situation. Having total body control like that makes learning something like boxing or kickboxing a lot easier and flexibility will prevent injuries in traditional sports.