You won't get many responses, as mango.man said the subject has been done to death.
Sorry for reposting an old hashed out subject, part of being a 'noob' I suppose :lol:
People with no martial arts experience tend to have one view, those of us with many years experience have another.
This is the case in most sports, activities, life. I have seen in my life people that start soccer young for example, and there are even programs that develop young studs (like Ajax over on your side of the pond), and there are parents over here (specially here in very liberal Washington state) that frown upon kids being in sports (competitive) at that early of an age and act like its a crime. I think that people that start off young at a sport/or/MA will advocate it, while those who did not... will not.
The subject of McDojos
this is one of the funniest phrases I have read on this site Love it!
comes up as invariably they are the ones who promote children to blackbelts, have frequent 'gradings', extra sparring classes, 'blackbelt clubs' and take children at a young age.
I am starting to think we are in a "McDojo" they do have a "blkbelt club" LOL
The reputable places, if they take children, won't take them until about seven years old.
If they take them younger it's usually in a special class ie 'Little Dragons, Ninjas' etc.
mmmmm Maybe were not, it is a special class just for lil dragons, etc
There should be a minumum age for black belt
totally agree
, again most reputable places consider 18 the youngest for a full belt, they may have junior BB from about 15. Many places and instructors won't take children at all, understandable when you know what martial arts is, I take children from sixish, for reasons known to posters here.
Very nice of you to help train your troops kids
I suggest researching things like McDojos, what black belts actually stand for, what they have to be able to do and understand, Look into the art of TKD see what it actually is and what they should be able to do. You'll find much of that on here and you'll find a wealth of experienced instructors here but you won't find them responding to a thread with a title such as this, I only did because I had responded to another of yours.
I have started my research and will continue. There is so much info out there now on the internet it will take me a Long long time to learn a fraction of what there is to know
I still won't say what I think about two and a half year old in martial arts but if she can do a 30 man kumite at 3 against adults I'll be impressed and take my words back.
This statement made me LOL. I signed up Lil' Tiger for a 20 man kumite, but will now have to look for a larger showing so she can earn more respect
Actually, we have our DD in the TKD class more for fun right now. If she ever gets to the age and wishes to compete in any tournament, etc; that will be strictly Up to Her not us. I truely believe that TKD, Like Any sport or activity is for you to take from it what you wish. Everyone's goals may be different. Some may be looking at it as a way to learn to fight/defend one's self. Some may do it to make friends, some may do it to keep there fat **** off the couch LOL. To each his own I say, and if people what to learn MA to be a world class **** whooper then that is OK with me... but then again, if they wish to learn MAs just to have fun, that is OK with me too.
The cons far outweigh the pros of chidlren starting training so young whatever the initial 'gains' may be. Physical damage to ligaments and tendons may only be one of the downsides.
This is a good point that comes up in many sports/physical activities. I for one believe proper technique is key to avoiding many injuries. But, then again many injuries cannot be avoided in a physical activity.
I could write you a thesis or even a book on the disadvantages of such early training but as I'm not responsible for or need to make loads of money from such kids I'm not adding any more.
On the flip side I am sure someone could write a book on the opposite opinion don't you agree?
LOL, being ex Forces trust me I'm not!! Even though it's Germany..... they didn't knock England out, our lads managed that by themselves, playing so badly and as if they didn't care about it.
I am Current military. Serving in the military here since signing up in 1982 and visiting such wonderful places as Grenada at 17 yrs old. Of course Panama, Africa, Iraq, and Kuwait were all to follow
Speaking of world cup, I don't feel the Americans played well at all this go round. After that 'gimme' goal against the 3 lions, we were playing on borrowed time.
I care very much about kids welfare and I get angry at bad martial arts places that rip people off who don't know any different.
That is the problem, at least where I live. How do you know which one's are Not ripping you off? There are so many to choose from and everyone will have their own opinion on each place as far as being a "good or bad place".
Again, I think it comes back to what you are looking for.
All the children I teach are children of serving Army people, at the moment our Brigade is in Afghan taking heavy casualties. Our adult students are mostly service too, many of them are also in Afghan.
Again, thanks for what you do
Martial arts to me is such a deep subject that it makes it unsuitable for toddlers who should learn discipline
from their parents not an outside agency, they shouldn't come to us until they have learnt to listen, it's not our job to teach manners, discpline or how to behave generally.
100% Could not agree More with you! It is true that all manner of life lessons should start in the home. That is not to say though that you don't want your kids picking up additional discipline at school, or by their sports coach. In the military I teach young men and woman all the time that are very mature and disciplined young adults... that doesn't mean I cannot instill even More discipline in them :whip1:
We teach people to fight and defend themselves. The violence involved shouldn't be underestimated.
Lastly, the words 'fight and defend' define what you teach and what your students are looking for. I suggest that there are some people not looking for fighting skills, but still can enjoy the other benefits of MA's