What up ug. I'm wanting to get my son into some sort of training. He just turned 5. I don't want him to end up being a punk that gets in fights but I want him to be able to defend himself if he has to. I just don't want him to ever be at the mercy of someone else..... My dilemma is what type of training to get him into. My first thought was wrestling or jiu jitsu but my concern is that if he ever gets into a situation where he has to defend himself against someone who may be with other people is it smart to take it to the ground..... My other thought is boxing, Thai boxing or karate..... But I want him to have good discipline and respect for the art also. Anyone else have young ones they got into training? I'm out in San Diego and know there is an abundance of great gyms, just don't know where to start him. Thanks for the feedback!! 
He will have the most fun in a bjj atmosphere imo. Kids inherently like to rassle. 
he's fucking 5, he isn't going to get beat up in a dark alley by a group of thugs for at least 8-9 more years.
Why not try Bjj, see if he enjoys it and if he wants to do other things he can progress from that point.
Judo. If nothing else, he will learn to fall without getting hurt. Seriously.
I did tumbling and swimming at the Y when I was 5, then started judo at 7. It taught me focus and discipline, how to work towards a goal.
Thinking about getting my six year old into judo
shaqitup - he's fucking 5, he isn't going to get beat up in a dark alley by a group of thugs for at least 8-9 more years.Haha I figured as much. Thinking for the future brother. Want to be proactive not reactive.
Why not try Bjj, see if he enjoys it and if he wants to do other things he can progress from that point.
MountainMedic - Judo. If nothing else, he will learn to fall without getting hurt. Seriously.Good call, didn't think of judo.
I did tumbling and swimming at the Y when I was 5, then started judo at 7. It taught me focus and discipline, how to work towards a goal.
Bjj or judo for sure.
Definitely not tkd or karate. That shit don't work bruh since most of their gyms are McDojos
6MonthsKickCheckTraining -It will give him a good foundation for any other sport he gets interested in, especially wrestling & bjj. It will also, usually, be a lot more affordable.MountainMedic - Judo. If nothing else, he will learn to fall without getting hurt. Seriously.Good call, didn't think of judo.
I did tumbling and swimming at the Y when I was 5, then started judo at 7. It taught me focus and discipline, how to work towards a goal.
Do you have a local YMCA? Many have a judo program geared to kids.
For some reason I read the thread title as, training to fight your son.
He is 5. Let him play tball and soccer. If he wants to train later in life its up to him.
Don't be one of THOSE dads.
HAHAHAHAHA
That was such shit, but all those who complan about MMA being corrupt boxing knows how to do corrupt right!
The Tiger Man - Whatever is the most fun.Thanks for the insight!
My son did karate at 6 and TKD at 7 but those weren't fun and too much discipline. Bjj was a dream come true for him.
Ive also have been wanting to put my 8 yr old daughter in some sort of martial art. But shes just not interested in it.
I got my son in judo at 4. He did judo, JJJ and BJJ for 10+ years after that.
Today (he's 18 now) he doesn't enjoy it at all. He prefers the gym and lifting weights now. I guess grappling turned into a "dad" thing to him. :(
Well, he can choke all his peers if he has to, so...
6MonthsKickCheckTraining -vagabond - For some reason I read the thread title as, training to fight your son.He just finished up soccer. Baseball isn't for a few more months. I want him to stay active and social. I was thinking of trying something like martial arts to see if he grabs on to it well in between other sports.
He is 5. Let him play tball and soccer. If he wants to train later in life its up to him.
Don't be one of THOSE dads.
Cool. I see where you're comming from, doesn't sound like a bad idea as long as you are willing to accept it if he ends up not liking it.
I would suggest karate or tkd if you want him to stick with it. Kids already kind of gravitate towards them due to cartoons and super heros. Bjj and judo might be a hard sell for a 5 year old. With karate and tkd, he will learn discipline and basic mechanics without any real contact that could injure him.
Hope that helps
I've had my kids in Karate for a few years now and it's been great for a variety of reasons. My youngest is getting interested in BJJ as well and may supplement his Karate with that soon.
Gymnastics is also a great sport for developing strength and coordination and balance for your kids.
I don't think picking the 'right' MA is nearly as important as picking one your kids are interested in at a school with a good instructor.
My five and six year old keep asking me to sign them up for kickboxing.
They got the idea because they have friends who take boxing classes and my boys think that's great, but they are competitive and think kickboxing beats boxing due to being the same, but you can kick too.
Their knowledge comes mainly from a game on their tablets, monkey boxing.
oioisavvy - My five and six year old keep asking me to sign them up for kickboxing.
They got the idea because they have friends who take boxing classes and my boys think that's great, but they are competitive and think kickboxing beats boxing due to being the same, but you can kick too.
Their knowledge comes mainly from a game on their tablets, monkey boxing.
I would refrain from that until they are a little more developed. Brain trauma on the littluns doesn't sound like a great idea. You could run into some serious development problems.
Family Jules - Perfect time to sign Fedor.Never happen. Quit saying it. Fedor is not worthy of a hw title shot.
MountainMedic -I didn't think of the YMCA. Yeah we have a couple out here. That would be pretty affordable too. I'll look it up. Thanks man I really appreciate it. Vu!!!6MonthsKickCheckTraining -It will give him a good foundation for any other sport he gets interested in, especially wrestling & bjj. It will also, usually, be a lot more affordable.MountainMedic - Judo. If nothing else, he will learn to fall without getting hurt. Seriously.Good call, didn't think of judo.
I did tumbling and swimming at the Y when I was 5, then started judo at 7. It taught me focus and discipline, how to work towards a goal.
Do you have a local YMCA? Many have a judo program geared to kids.