12 Reasons why Martial Arts is better for Kids than Team Sports
1. Self-Defense
This is the number one reason why most people decide to study martial arts. The US Martial Arts Academy not only teaches you the techniques to defend yourself but also the way to think about defending yourself and to anticipate and avoid potential dangers. Our programs also help build the reflexes you need if you’re ever in a dangerous situation, and give you the confidence to stand up and defend yourself if needed.
2. Self-Confidence
To help your child achieve this goal, the instructors of the US Martial Arts Academy work together to help them become more self-assured and confident. Encouragement goes a long way to helping them achieve this goal, but confidence levels will extend far beyond the Academy.
3. Belts and Ranking
Our Academy’s ranking system helps teach children to set goals, achieve them and to persevere and prioritize. The US Martial Arts Academy belts and ranking are a public recognition among peers for the student’s effort and progress. Belts are a great way to help children track their progress and motivate them.
4. Discipline
Martial Arts training is a physical expression of “practice makes perfect”. We teach the students that progress always happens through small improvements in technique and stamina, flexibility or power. It also teaches them commitment to practice. All of this teaches children discipline and self-respect.
5. Individual Achievement
Although there are many lessons to be learned from team and individual varsity sports, the ‘make the team’ model often favors the more physically developed players while alienating the late bloomers. The coaches have access to an endless supply of players that renews itself each year. The big and strong get picked and get to play while less physically developed watch from the bench. At the US Martial Arts Academy, our mats are packed while the benches are empty. All kids get equal ‘playing time’. Naturally some kids develop their skills and physical abilities earlier than others, but we personally find that many kids who start out with undeveloped athletic attributes such as strength, speed and size, end up blooming into some of the finest technicians we have in all of our programs.
6. Gender Equality
We are sure that while many parents would consider Martial Arts for their sons, not nearly as many would consider it for their daughters. However, martial arts is one of the few sports where both boys and girls can train together. At the US Martial Arts Academy, we have a large number of girls in our programs, and in many classes they outnumber the boys. Our Academy also gives brothers and sisters an opportunity to practice together and learn from one another as well (not to mention the convenience of having all of your kids in one place at a time).
7. Weight Control/Exercise
Childhood health is a global concern and rising trends in overweight and obesity are apparent in both developed and developing countries (CDC stats). The typical 45 minute class at the US Martial Arts Academy will often consist of warm-up calisthenics, teaching and practicing of moves, as well as some active games. The practice comprises the bulk of the time and for that time your child will be constantly on the go stretching, punching and kicking. The workout each child gets will not only assist in the natural development of his or her muscles, but also help them build stronger cardio-vascular systems.
8. You can do it with them
The US Martial Arts Academy offers classes for both adults and children. While classes aren’t run together, they are usually one right after the other. This means that you can watch your children workout, and then they can watch you. This will give you a special activity to use as a bonding tool with your kids and become physically fit together. At our Academy, we have many families that come to class and either take class simultaneously or watch each other’s sessions. Avoid schools that have children and adults in the same class.
9. The Never-Ending Season
Many team sports, especially those primarily played outdoors, (football, soccer, baseball and even wrestling) are seasonal. At the US Martial Arts Academy, we have classes year-round. This consistency and availability also helps build upon discipline, and allows children to progress at a much quicker pace in martial arts than in team sports.
10. Martial Arts isn’t about brute force, it is about control
The US Martial Arts Academy reinforces that martial arts should be practiced with the mindset that your opponent will be bigger and stronger than you. The technique and mental toughness should be pursued above all physical attributes.
11. Athletic Development
The main goal of martial arts at the US Martial Arts Academy is to instill safety conscious practice for each student’s new martial arts skills and also valuable life lessons that they can use in day-to-day situations. In addition, our experienced instructors work hard to empower each student both physically and mentally. Thus a whole body workout hip, arms, feet and head all need to move in fluid, exact-timed motions to properly execute a technique to end a situation. Many world-class professional athletes such as NFL players take up martial arts in order to improve their game skills.
12. Martial Arts
Martial arts are not just a hobby or a sport, but a lifestyle choice. There is certainly nothing wrong with practicing a sport, but sports are artificial contests. In sports, the rules are usually given to you where as in martial arts, you have an entirely different set of rules. Martial arts offer many benefits, but when it comes to fitness. Martial arts trains to neutralize attackers by incapacitating them. It is a style of self-defense and not a way to learn how to fight. In martial arts, you will ultimately learn a sense of respect, honor, courage, focus, obedience, and true confidence