by Darla Loflin

Created on: August 13, 2010   Last Updated: August 15, 2010

Martial Arts are defined as systems of codified practices and traditions of combat. All types of martial arts have similar objectives which are to physically defeat other persons or defend oneself or others from physical threat. Martial Arts are considered both an art and a science.

The different types include but are not limited to: Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, and Kung Fu. These few are the most popular that are studied by students around the world. All types are very similar in ways but are different as well. Lets examine the similarities and/or differences and determine which type would be best for kids.

Jiu-Jitsu employs grappling and ground fighting. It focuses on competition and gaining dominant positions to force an opponent to submit. This art is for combat and may not be suitable for kids.

Judo focuses on two versatile phases of combat, including the standing phase and like Jiu-Jitsu the ground phase. Different techniques include pins, foot sweeps, joint locks, chokes, falls, throws, grappling, kicking, punching, and knife and sword practices. This art, like Jiu-Jitsu is more for combat purposes that may not be suitable for kids.

Tae Kwon Do is considered to be a defense-style martial art, combative technique, a sport, philosphy, and exercise. A translation of Tae Kwon Do means: the way of the foor and the fist. Techniques include powerful kicks, jumps, spins, hand strikes, and blocks. Tae Kwon Do teaches confidence and disipline as well as self-defense. This art is great kids.

Karate is a sport and an art of self-defense which incorporates psychological elements and leadership techniques. The techniques of Karate employ kata-forms, kumite-sparring, kokoro-attitude, kobudo-weapons training. Karate, like Tae Kwon Do, teaches confidence and discipline. This art is also great for kids.

Kung Fu has spiritual, physical and mental techniques. These include deep meditation, special stances and forms of posture, joint rotations and stretching forms, basic stages, training of weapons, sparring and the chi, which refers to the idea of flowing energy. This art is best for adults or mature beings.

For kids, in my opinion, learning a disciplined self-defense is a excellent way for them to be more confident in themselves. In my research I have found that Tae Kwon Do and/or Karate are the most effective arts to be taught to and learned by a kid. Both of these teach more confidence and discipline that a kid needs and not so much of the fighting aspect.    

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