A question I often get from parents is, “What martial art should I get my kid into?” My answer is always the same: Judo, above all others.
My oldest daughter, my son, and I have all practice Judo. As the sport form of Ju Jitsu, Judo is both an art and a science. Many well-meaning parents instinctively sign their kids up for Karate, Taekwondo, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). While these are all great martial arts, they may not be the best starting point for children.
Why Not Striking Arts?
Karate and Taekwondo are primarily striking arts, which rely on maintaining distance. However, in real-world situations—especially among kids—self-defense often happens at close range. Strikes can also be perceived as overly aggressive, making them harder to justify in schoolyard conflicts.
The Limitations of BJJ for Kids
BJJ is mostly ground fighting. Practitioners often argue that most fights end up on the ground. While that may be true, all fights start on your feet. Starting with Judo gives kids the ability to control a fight before it gets to the ground and prepares them for traditional Ju Jitsu as they grow.
Why Judo?
Judo naturally follows the evolution of unarmed combat—closing the distance, takedowns, throws, and later, ground control. Around age 12, competitive Judo introduces chokes and joint locks. But beyond competition, Judo teaches valuable, lifelong skills:
✅ Falling Safely – Falls cause a shocking number of injuries and fatalities. One of Judo’s foundations is learning how to fall safely, a skill that should be taught to all kids from preschool onward. Knowing how to fall has saved me in multiple motorcycle accidents. When learned early, it becomes second nature.
✅ Balance & Control – Judo teaches balance manipulation, both for defense and when executing throws. Maintaining balance is key to avoiding being taken down.
✅ Measured Response – Striking someone is often hard to justify, but simply taking an aggressor to the ground is both effective and less likely to escalate a situation.
✅ Lower Injury Risk – When taught properly, Judo has a lower risk of serious injury than striking arts, especially since proper falling techniques reduce impact trauma.
✅ Effective Against Larger Opponents – Judo techniques leverage an opponent’s movement and momentum. My daughter, at just 10 years old, was able to execute throws on me despite a 200+ pound weight difference.
✅ Takes Advantage of Close Contact – Unlike striking arts, Judo thrives in close-quarters situations, limiting an attacker’s ability to throw effective punches or kicks.
One of Judo’s core principles is “maximum efficiency with minimal effort.” If a Judoka gets their hands on you, you’ll quickly find yourself on the ground looking up.
A Personal Story
After I retired from the police department, we moved away from our Judo and Ju Jitsu dojo. I decided to enroll my kids in a local Taekwondo school and spoke with the owners about possibly teaching combatives in exchange for their lessons.
During their first class, the kids were allowed to spar. Naturally, my kids fell back on their Judo training, closing distance and crowding their opponents. The Taekwondo students, unable to punch or kick with room to strike, shut down completely. Shortly after, we were asked not to come back.
Final Thoughts
If you’re considering enrolling your child in a martial art, I strongly encourage you to look for a Judo club in your area. Let them try it out—you might be surprised at just how beneficial it can be.
