Five Hard Truths about Martial Arts that you don’t want to believe.

[BKR]

So what I've learned from this thread is that playing soccer is how you become a great fighter. Makes sense.

I actually have thought it would be awesome to get my boy into hip hop dance lessons so he learns to move like teh black folk. He would rather die a slow and painful death though, I'm quite sure. So sure I haven't even mentioned it.

Not sure about your first statement being true, however, soccer is excellent physical training in general and for martial arts specifically.

Develops agility, balance, and coordination, especially of the lower body. The lower body, the feet in particular, are the hardest place to develop kinaesthetic awareness and control. Plus it's great cardio training, being interval like in nature (unless you are goalie).

And I agree about the hip hop dance stuff, really, any sort of dance would be good. Gotta learn to move those hips...

[Devil]

Develops agility, balance, and coordination, especially of the lower body. The lower body, the feet in particular, are the hardest place to develop kinaesthetic awareness and control. Plus it's great cardio training, being interval like in nature (unless you are goalie).

Or you could train boxing and learn to knock people's teeth out while you're building up your footwork and cardio. Just sayin'.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Not sure about your first statement being true, however, soccer is excellent physical training in general and for martial arts specifically.

Develops agility, balance, and coordination, especially of the lower body. The lower body, the feet in particular, are the hardest place to develop kinaesthetic awareness and control. Plus it's great cardio training, being interval like in nature (unless you are goalie).

And I agree about the hip hop dance stuff, really, any sort of dance would be good. Gotta learn to move those hips...

There is nothing more paradoxical than a black belt who is afraid to grab his sweetheart and get out on the dance floor at a wedding.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Or you could train boxing and learn to knock people's teeth out while you're building up your footwork and cardio. Just sayin'.

Learning how to box is a great activity complement to Jiu-Jitsu for many reasons.

[Raycetpfl]

Or you could train boxing and learn to knock people's teeth out while you're building up your footwork and cardio. Just sayin'.

Building balanced individuals........

[ChenPengFi]

This seems relevant here.

http://www.bettermovement.org/blog/2...motor-learning

[Devil]

Building balanced individuals........

Speaking of balanced individuals, this is from another thread, just in case some of you guys haven't seen it. Pretty well balanced, I'd say.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_qSW0dKYGw

[BKR]

Or you could train boxing and learn to knock people's teeth out while you're building up your footwork and cardio. Just sayin'.

Different sort of footwork, Devil...

Moving goalposts you are. Subtle, subtle Devil you are.

I'm going to look into USA Boxing programs to see how young they start and how they go about it.

[Raycetpfl]

Speaking of balanced individuals, this is from another thread, just in case some of you guys haven't seen it. Pretty well balanced, I'd say.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_qSW0dKYGw

Hips were a bit light in Mount, allowed the uke to spin out . Very nice recovery with the armbar.

[ChenPengFi]

Apropos, perhaps...

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/05...l?intcmp=hpbt1

Now there's a "Back in my day..." tale for the kids/grandkids.

[Devil]

Different sort of footwork, Devil...

Moving goalposts you are. Subtle, subtle Devil you are.

I'm going to look into USA Boxing programs to see how young they start and how they go about it.

I wasn't intentionally moving goalposts. I'm just not sure I understand why one form of footwork is inherently better than the other for fighting. In fact, it would seem to me that the footwork learned for fighting would be better for fighting than the footwork learned for soccer. I know, I'm a little crazy.

If I can learn to type 60 words per minute or play Stairway to Heaven on an electric guitar with my feet, is that more or less valuable than soccer footwork for fighting?

[BKR]

I'm failing to see where anybody here has said sport specific training isn't a good thing for kids, as part of a larger overall program that mixes in different types of individual and team sports and physical activity that is not competition based.

I think that the issue is over specialization at a young age for a specific sport being on average not in the best interest of children, and, on average, not the optimum way to develop well rounded athletic ability and instill an enjoyment of exercise and general healthy life style.

How much variety will vary with the kid in question, given parents who are not pushing their kid to specialize early for their own reasons.

[Raycetpfl]

I wasn't intentionally moving goalposts. I'm just not sure I understand why one form of footwork is inherently better than the other for fighting. In fact, it would seem to me that the footwork learned for fighting would be better for fighting than the footwork learned for soccer. I know, I'm a little crazy.

If I can learn to type 60 words per minute or play Stairway to Heaven on an electric guitar with my feet, is that more or less valuable than soccer footwork for fighting?

Something needs to stimulate the other parts of the brain. Dance,surfing,painting,chess,diving . There needs to be "junk food" activities.

[Devil]

Something needs to stimulate the other parts of the brain. Dance,surfing,painting,chess,diving . There needs to be "junk food" activities.

Sure. You don't want to lock a kid in the gym and force him to train all the time. But a lot of the other shit should just take care of itself if they're not lazy little shits. Let them go ride their bicycle. Play outside with friends. Whatever. It doesn't have to be an organized activity.

[Devil]

I'm failing to see where anybody here has said sport specific training isn't a good thing for kids, as part of a larger overall program that mixes in different types of individual and team sports and physical activity that is not competition based.

I think that the issue is over specialization at a young age for a specific sport being on average not in the best interest of children, and, on average, not the optimum way to develop well rounded athletic ability and instill an enjoyment of exercise and general healthy life style.

How much variety will vary with the kid in question, given parents who are not pushing their kid to specialize early for their own reasons.

Don't backpedal now! I was just beginning to understand. Kids should play badminton and water polo until they turn 26 and then they go win an Olympic gold medal in Judo. I'm straight bro. Don't confuse me.