Hi,

I have been looking for a good school in martial arts for my 11 year old. I am totally confused as to which discipline I should enrol the 11 year old in.

Can anyone suggest a good discipline suited for pre teens?. And a good school in Basel?. I must add that I am not looking for Judo.

I know of the SKEMA school in Dreispitz and a Shaolin Kung fu one near the Spalen area.

Any information would be of great help.

Thanks.

I would go for the SKEMA school... by adulthood he could be seriously handy at Wing Chun and Eskrima... which will pretty much serve him well for the rest of his life and give him a firm base with which to turn his hand to other arts if he fancies it.

Wing Chun info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wing_Chun

Escrima info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eskrima

Escrima really is a great and well-respected MA, and he's the perfect age to start learning.

The Aikido Club Kleinbasel offers training for under 16s.

11 is a good age to start.

Cheers,
Nick

I know of people who believe that young children should do martial arts like judo rather than karate. mainly for two reasons; judo is fairly natural, kids tend to throw eachother about and roll around anyway. Plus judo has the added benefit of having to learn it properly or it just won't work whereas getting children to learn to hit stuff properly, as in karate, can impede their developing bones if not done carefully.

one way or another, as long as they enjoy it that's really what matters

Thanks everyone.

Aikido school was also suggested by a friend mainly because it is more a self defense art......

I found Aikido highly "spiritual" - I frankly think it would not have been the right thing for me when I was 11. I would rather go for Tae-Kwon-Do or Ju-Jutsu, Judo could be fun as well. In my opinion it will in the end heavily depend on the trainer and group much more than the actual art...

Yes but since you use the strenght of the other person it teach you also self confident if you are on the smaller side height/weight.

And a bit of spirituality never kills. At this age, they can also feel like being a part of a group. And this is a great education.

Aikido is a discipline you keep for life.

Ju-Jutsu helped me to understand that if the other one is larger and stronger and really attacks me... I can kick him in the balls (and how to do it hard). Easily as effective and just as confidence building.

(and that is an attitude that helps in life just as much...)

Yes you are totally right. I did enjoy those class too!

What? "More a self-defence art"? It doesn't teach you to throw a decent punch or kick, and in real self-defence terms I think it is the last art I would waste time putting my child into at such a young age.

However, if all you want it a bit of discipline for the kid, as well as a dash of spiritual mumbo jumbo, then I guess it's fine. Personally i'd rather my kid learn to throw and take a punch in a controlled environment.

If I may do so ask: Why is Judo out?

In general, MA are as good as their live training and resistance.
The only MA worth mentioning or backing up from the ones posted before to me is escrima, and only (and that is very unlikely) if it looks like dog brothers .

If you want him to learn properly (and in order to do so, you must cross train) I would suggest Judo, Boxing, Wrestling, BJJ, Muay Thai. Kyokushin Karate.

For sport itself, I would suggest Olympic MA or disciplines,
(TKD, Judo, Fencing).

As an activity in General, I guess any MA will do.

Where you live?

Than i will suggest you anything!