Trouble Sparring Small Childre... please help

[marie curie]

I started karate when I was 11, and immediately fought adults. Yes, I took a few too-hard hits, but I eventually learned not to block with my head. Also, the people above are right, the best thing to do is spar kids more often. You'll get used to it, and may stun one or give one a bruise, but thats MA, and eventually it'll not seem like a huge deal, and you'll be able to jump to different levels of sparring when the situation demands it. That is a sign of an upper-level MArtist.

[learning kempo-karate]

I started karate when I was 11, and immediately fought adults. Yes, I took a few too-hard hits, but I eventually learned not to block with my head. Also, the people above are right, the best thing to do is spar kids more often. You'll get used to it, and may stun one or give one a bruise, but thats MA, and eventually it'll not seem like a huge deal, and you'll be able to jump to different levels of sparring when the situation demands it. That is a sign of an upper-level MArtist.

Hello, Good point here! Just wanted to add this....In the real world for kids...especially the bullies in schools....they will ususally be bigger than most of us. Bullies like to pick on the smaller people and the weaker ones.

From the experiences we have from students in our martial art classes...When they fought back....THEY WERE NEVER PICK ON AGAIN!

Bullies (make trouble because they want attention), BUT are just afraid to get hurt from a fight. KIDS must learn to stand up to them..even if they lose in a fight. I know this is not the best answer to solve Bullling but it does WORK. .................Off course you want your child to TALK there way out of troubles...Aloha

[bushido_man96]

There are some good comments here, for both sides of the arguement. I think that if kids spar with adults, it can help them to build confidence in working with grownups, and also help when it comes to the bullying situation.

Giving kids confidence is great. However, it has to be done in such a way that it does not build false confidence. There is a difference in a child blocking a controlled round kick to the head, and an angry stranger grabbing the child by the shoulders, and attempting to leave with them.

[stejitsu]

Training with children has to be a controlled atmosphere filled with fun activities. When the time to spar comes you should encourage them to hit you. Whilst doing this a few very light taps to liven them up isn't such a bad thing, as long as total control and trust by the child is evident. A frightened child is not a healthy training ethos.

[lordtariel]

One time when I was in Judo we had the local news crew come in and do a story on our dojo. I was paired up with a ten year old, and the one shot they took of me was when I had the kid in a pin. I was thinking "Great, everybody's gonna think I beat up kids"

[bushido_man96]

One time when I was in Judo we had the local news crew come in and do a story on our dojo. I was paired up with a ten year old, and the one shot they took of me was when I had the kid in a pin. I was thinking "Great, everybody's gonna think I beat up kids"

Oh, man, what a bummer!

[baronbvp]

The best dojos for kids are the ones creative enough to keep them engaged, excited, respectful, and learning. It's a tricky process but very worthwhile. Sounds like you all are part of that.