About JM Ken Barthle Expertise I can answer questions on self defense techniques and scenarios, basic questions on setting up teaching scenarios and training techniques, questions on physical techniques - specifically Kenpo and Jujitsu - and also on the psychology of engagement.
I can also answer questions on selecting a style, as well as the inevitable questions as to "how do I know what is right for me" and "what does style have that this other one doesn`t?"
Those are actually my favorite questions. ^_^
Experience I have several years of experience in the Martial Arts (1991-current, and counting!), having moved around enough to be "forced" to sample different styles in different parts of America and Europe. My styles are American Kenpo, Jujitsu, Krav Maga, and mixed school stick and knife. Most of the experience that I offer to question-askers stems from my own research into the process of selecting a style and instructor based on physical requirements, temperment and individual response to teaching styles. I thoroughly enjoy making an art out of being picky about teachers and schools. ^_^
Question My 13 year old son is interested in taking some martial arts training, but we have no knowledge about starting out. How do the various disciplines, i.e., jujitsu, taekwondo, kung fu, etc. differ from one another? Is karate a separate martial art form, or is it a blanket term that covers several of the others? Is there one type that you would recommend over the others? Thank you for your help.
Answer There are certainly a lot of different types of Martial Arts out there, and not all of them are suitable for young people. Carib knife, pekiti tirsia, sambo, systema, muay thai...these are styles that I'd suggest staying away from.
Now, my first question is this...what would you like him to learn? If you'd like him to learn self-discipline and self-respect, I would suggest Shotokan. It is a 'hard' style of japanese karate that still plays by the old rules, including kneeling, bowing, and showing respect to others. The techniques tone the muscles and develop coordination as well as both physical and emotional control. Shotokan is a style of Karate (a term which means "art of the open hand", and yes it is a 'blanket term' for empty-hand or weapon-less fighting styles that use striking and kicking.) It, Shotokan, emphasises physical control, no contact, and a deep self-respect.
If you'd like him to learn self defense, try American Kenpo or jujitsu. American Kenpo is another style of Karate, but the emphasis there is on self-defense, and "american" values. Rather than pushups and self-discipline, most American Kenpo teachers help their students develop a sense of pride in themselves, as well as friendships with the other students. American Kenpo is, however, a very physical art. Your son will come home with bruises every once and a while, but he'll have a lot of fun getting them.
Jujitsu is a grappling art, which means wrestling and throwing. For children, it's a lot of fun to be able to throw around someone twice their size, and it can give them a real boost in confidence. As a means of self-defense, it is definitely up there on the effectiveness scale. However, in terms of self-discipline and self-respect...the level taught by the instructor will differ with each school. Jujitsu instructors tend to be very individualistic, due to the nature of the style (jujitsu is inherently competitive in a brotherly kind of way), so make sure that you talk with the instructor of a jujitsu school about how he handles children.
Tae Kwon Do is a style of Karate, an open-handed fighting style. Tae Kwon Do, however, has a similar self-discipline creed to Shotokan, with a slightly different focus. Shotokan focuses on mental discipline, physical discipline, and mental courage. Tae Kwon Do focuses on physical discipline, physical strength and flexibility, and dedication to the art. When you see Wesley Snipes doing those incredible kicks in the movies? That's Tae Kwon Do. When you see those guys in the movies putting their fists through bricks or calmly chatting with four or five armed guys? That's Shotokan.
Kung Fu...is another blanket term. There are literally hundreds, potentially even thousands, of variations of Kung Fu styles. Kung Fu styles are, almost invariably, very focused on self-discovery journeys, physical flexibility and discipline, and a focused, peaceful atmosphere. You'll find philosophy discussions in a lot of Kung Fu schools, alongside pushups and punching exercises.
The trick to finding a good martial arts experience for your child is actually less about the style, and more about the school. Especially in this day and age, when a person can buy a black belt off of the internet and open his own school. Worse, often a person is given a black belt specifically for the purposes of opening an expansion school to increase profits.
Certain 'chain' Karate schools are famous for this, and unfortunately site rules here prohibit me from naming names...so let's just say that I'd keep a grain of salt with me when entering a "chain" school. The quality of the school will vary greatly from one place to the next.
Keep in mind, also, that there are no 'governing bodies' regulating Martial Arts schools. The closest thing to it are the insurance underwriters who write the accident and liability insurance, and you can buy liability insurance from companies that advertise "Own Your Own School" ads in Black Belt Magazine these days.
I don't want to scare you. Far from it, I wish more people your son's age were so interested in the Martial Arts! ^_^
However, I do want you to be aware that there are sharks swimming in the pond, to coin a phrase. This isn't the movies where Mister Miyagi is waiting calmly in his lotus blossom shop. Talk to your son about why he'd like to learn Martial Arts, then come back to what I said before about the different styles. Feel free to ask me about others, if the schools nearest to you teach things that aren't on that list.
Select three or four styles, then find local schools within ten or twenty minutes. Once you've got a good solid list, start calling around and asking questions.
1. How much are lessons? Cost per month, per week, or per lesson?
2. How long do the lessons last? What time of the day, and what days of the week?
3. Is there a contract involved? (hint: Contracts are, in my opinion, a bad sign. A contract is a way to lock you down to paying, even if you decide that it isn't the right school.)
4. May my son and I watch a few lessons, or try one or two before deciding anything? (The answer here should be yes. An instructor should be happy to have you watch the school and get a feel for the flow of classes, and thrilled to get the parent into a free lesson too. It gives him a chance at another student, and it brings fresh energy into the classroom.)
5. Do you teach children with adults? (A good school will never, never, NEVER put children in the same class as adults. That is a very quick way to get someone hurt.)
6. What are the uniform, practice and membership fees? (These are a way to catch some extra money...'hidden' fees. The average uniform for a child should be between 25-65 dollars, depending on quality, and reputable schools will tell you this up front. Shotokan and Bujinkan Ninjutsu will also require association membership dues after certain belt levels, and will document how they are spent. Other schools requiring membership dues, I would be wary of. Shotokan and Bujinkan dues both go back to Japan to fund the artists who make things like patches and caligraphy scrolls that the students get as they progress through the ranks.)
7. When can I speak with the owner/instructor for a few minutes? (Speaking with the owner will give you a good feeling for the place. If he seems friendly, open, honest and caring, that's a great sign. Bring your son, and see how your son reacts to him...children are great judges of character. If the owner feels a little 'off' to you or your son, run for the hills.)
Speaking with the business manager or secretary is okay over the phone, but when you go later to 'interview' the school, make sure that you're speaking with the owner/Senior Instructor him or herself, not a junior instructor or a black belt off of the floor.
As to what style I would recommend...I'm going to have to be a traitor to my own styles and say Shotokan. I grew up with American Kenpo, jujitsu and Isshin-Ryu, but my wife grew up with Shotokan. Seeing the way that I developed through my 'little karate hellion' stage, versus how she developed as a responsible, disciplined person due to the style...I would put my own children into Shotokan karate. Provided, of course, that I felt comfortable with the instructor. ^_^
Which I do, seeing as it would be my wife. ^_^
If there are any other questions I can answer for you, please, don't hesitate to write me again!
Good luck to your son on his journey into the Martial Arts.
