Karate Vs. Jiu-Jitsu: Which Is Better For Kids?
When it comes to martial arts, it’s easy to get caught up with the flashy body movements and breathtaking displays of power often seen in popular action/martial arts films. While these can indeed be impressive, much of what truly matters when selecting a form of self-defense for a youngster is not the look, but rather the practicality and safety of the art form.
While karate is the traditional go-to for some parents, Jiu-Jitsu is quickly becoming a more popular choice. When looking for the best martial arts school for your child, Jiu-Jitsu should be your first choice. Jiu-Jitsu offers several unique benefits that make it a more suitable martial art for kids.
The first thing to note when comparing Jiu-Jitsu to Karate is the emphasis on self-defense. Jiu-Jitsu focuses heavily on teaching students practical techniques they can use to protect themselves in confrontational situations, such as knowing how to escape from holds or strikes, whereas Karate tends be more orientated towards looks and style performances. Consequently, kids who train in Jiu-Jitsu learn how to defend themselves far more effectively than those who practice Karate.
An advantage of Jiu-Jitsu over Karate is how it emphasizes good technique over power and athleticism. Although some may assume that the smaller size of many kids would put them at a disadvantage with this regard, the opposite is usually true. With efficient leverage and proper technique, youngsters can use their smaller size as an advantage when taking on opponents or defending themselves against an attack. Trainers also typically teach basic grappling movements, such as ground control or positioning, which can give kids a huge edge in any confrontation where they find themselves on the ground up against a larger opponent.
In Karate classes, children may find they’re too often put into situations where they’re too powerful for their own good. It fails to teach kids about the reality of the outside world which can lead to more serious issues in the future—especially when it comes to self-control. In a society that increasingly sanitizes the brutality of reality, learning how to cultivate self discipline of one’s body and emotions can be a life saver off the mats. This concept makes Jiu-Jitsu stand out not only as an ideal martial art for young kids but also as an invaluable teaching tool for life long lessons of self control and leadership characteristics.
Jiu-Jitsu is also known for its strong sense of camaraderie and community that isn’t always present in other traditional martial arts schools. That’s because many Jiu-Jitsu practitioners see themselves as part of a larger family, competing against each other but also helping each other learn new techniques through free practice sessions outside of class time. This sense of unity within the school environment makes it easier for kids to enjoy the experience while also learning important values such as respect, cooperation, humility, discipline, perseverance and focus. Most teachers will incorporate drills in which students must rely on teamwork and focus on helping each other learn rather than competing against each other. This often creates a friendly atmosphere of mutual support where not only physical skills are reinforced but also proper behavior such as politeness and proper manners every time they step onto the mats.
Ultimately when choosing which activity is right for your kid it's important to look beyond just practical aspects such as cost and location but also consider skillset being learned along with other aspects like mental development that come with it; this is why selecting Jiu-Jitsu for kid's physical activity should be a no brainer as it provides long lasting benefits far beyond just exercise thanks to its versatility when it comes to age groups and its emphasis on problem solving through grappling techniques all while applying valuable life lessons such us discipline and self confidence that no other activity can compare against with such ease.
Jiu-Jitsu offers several unique benefits that make it preferable to karate when it comes to teaching martial arts skills to young kids. Jiu-Jitsu has a focus on self-defense rather than causing physical harm; it includes strength and conditioning exercises; it has a broader range of techniques; and its strong sense of community helps create an enjoyable atmosphere while teaching important values at the same time. For these reasons, Jiu-Jitsu is an excellent martial art for young children who are ready to start learning self defense skills in a safe environment with positive reinforcement from compassionate instructors.
Here in Helena, Bear Hug offers one of the largest martial arts programs in all of Montana. Sign up your entire family for a free class today! Our high energy curriculum is the fast track to empowering individuals using Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Be taught by one of our four certified black belt instructors. Such as the founder Anthony Butler or founder of Helena BJJ, Professor Jim Collins. Don't miss out on this opportunity to build leadership characteristics in you kids and to learn some self defense. So, sign up for a free class today!
