Karate advice for my kids

[CavalryJim]

I am looking to enroll my girls (3 & 5) into some type of martial art in Baton Rouge. We are members at Foxy's Fitness and they have Shotokan Karate classes that I am going to check out.

Any other recommendations?

 

[JBP55]

If you are going to stay with the traditional martial arts look at Shotokan,Tang Soo Do, or Issishan Ryu . Issishan may not be spelled correctly.

 

[rooster]

Find some brazilian JJ. It is the single most effective IMHO.

 

[fastmover]

some collages have Shotokan, TKD and Judo in there phys ed program. The point being..For instance; if you go to LSU and you have a Black Belt in Shotokan you get a A in Phys Ed. A lot of schools that teach the styles know this and conform to the university curriculum.

number one is; the instructor, the best system in the world taught by a douche is useless.
two have them take a style that is in line with their strengths, TKD has lots of high kicks and forms, judo = wrestling, and shotokan is a lot of strikes, lowish kicks and forms. IMHO kids are to young to be worried about "holes in their game" or being a well rounded fighter. you are looking to give them a foundation in something they may be good at and enjoy.

just like gyms be wary of long contracts or or other huge binding agreements.

They should let you watch a class and take a few classes to see. It is hard to find a good place. Most are Strip Mall Ninjas or Cobra Ki, hard to find the middle ground. But good ones are out there they do it cause they love it and want your kids to succeed.

 

[chrisjfontenot]

I am in Shotokan and love it

 

[Pacioli]

I think FastMover has it just about right. I've worked out in numerous schools; Shotokan, Tae Kwon Do, even a couple of BillyBadAss Madeup Style gyms from the 70s up to this decade. While I'm still a chubby white boy who hates fighting, I observed a few things along the way.

I think the most important aspect is the teacher. Are his/her credentials legit, who is/was his teacher. Try to make sure you're not getting involved with someone who made up his own church. He may be a great fighter, but that's not the entirety of a martial art. There are plenty of whupass schools. Dojos and dojangs are fewer and father apart.

Secondly, look out for after-school money mills masquerading as martial arts schools. Contracts, mini-camps, power camps, pre-rank test camps(you get the idea) are generally more about revenue than training.

Ask how much rank tests cost at several schools and compare. You'll be surprised. Don't bother with the school whose teacher gets defensive when you ask detailed questions about costs. You know where their priority is when they do that.

I guess it comes down to looking for someone who earned their credentials in a legitimate system and is teaching to further the art and tradition they were given.

Just my .02

 

[CavalryJim]

Find some brazilian JJ. It is the single most effective IMHO.

BJJ kicks arse and I will definitely have them take it in the future.

 

[JBP55]

BJJ kicks arse and I will definitely have them take it in the future.

So does Muay Thai but it is not for everyone.

 

[jbonnette]

I believe White Crane Studio (Kung Fu) teaches children.

http://www.whitecranestudio.com/

I was a member for a while before my last kid was born and really enjoyed it. Instructor is extremely nice.

 

[lefty]

BJJ kicks arse and I will definitely have them take it in the future.

brazillian jiu jitsu is awesome, im itching to get back into it, just havent had the funds with me trying to finish college. why not get them in a program now???

 

[JBP55]

I believe White Crane Studio (Kung Fu) teaches children.

http://www.whitecranestudio.com/

I was a member for a while before my last kid was born and really enjoyed it. Instructor is extremely nice.

I good recommendation and started in BR by Louis Illar.
Wu Shu which is called Kung Fu in US.

 

[CajunTim]

Just dont go to Taekwondo Plus any of them

 

[dantheman]

Just dont go to Taekwondo Plus any of them

Or anything affiliated with ATA . Nothing but a " belt factory " .
It's all about money .

 

[LSU2010]

tmwdojo.com
Nihon Goshin Aikido

Kid Tigers and a Junior Division

 

[Suburbazine]

Late responding, but Han Mu Do is also very good. I don't remember what the minimum age is though, I think 4 or 5.

 

[jbonnette]

Jim, Did you make a decision yet?

 

[dantheman]

Which FOXY'S ?

 

[MRBULLRED]

I think mexican judo is the best.... (Judo know if I have a gun-- Judo know if I have knife)...

 

[SpencerSS]

It depends on what you want them to get out of it (Discipline, values, self defense, sport?). The quality of the instruction depends mostly on the quality of the instructor.

If you live on my side of the river ie: Brusly, Port Allen, Addis; I could make a suggestion.

 

[CavalryJim]

Jim, Did you make a decision yet?

Nope...been busy. Going to check out a program tomorrow.

Which FOXY'S ?

On Roda Drive.

It depends on what you want them to get out of it (Discipline, values, self defense, sport?).

Self defense, sport, fun, discipline...in that order.