You've probably heard or read about it somewhere and have decided, for the safety and well-being of your child, to introduce him or her to Krav Maga.
Krav Maga has become incredibly popular in the Netherlands and abroad. This is largely due to its accessible and effective way of learning self-defense, assessing dangers, and standing up for yourself. These are skills that every child (and adult) naturally benefits enormously from in their daily lives.
Perhaps your son or daughter has already taken a few trial lessons at a Krav Maga club, or you're planning to do so at a few schools. Krav Maga doesn't require much, and you probably won't need to bring any equipment for the first few lessons.
Once your child continues with Krav Maga, it will of course be much safer, more pleasant, fresher and also much more effective if he or she has his or her own equipment.
Fortunately, Krav Maga (and most other combat sports and martial arts) isn't expensive in terms of equipment. Membership fees vary by club, of course, but let's be honest: your child's safety and well-being are priceless.
Most important: groin guard, boxing gloves and shin guards
The three most important basic necessities for children's boxing are gloves, a tok, and shin guards . However, it's also useful to simply buy a complete package, so your child has everything they need for lessons right away. This is often even more affordable.
Also needed: a bit
Besides boxing gloves, a groin guard, and shin guards, a good mouthguard is essential. The need for a groin guard or mouthguard varies from club to club, but we consider them the most essential protection for Krav Maga.
Clothing: Krav Maga martial arts trousers, sneakers and a sports shirt
For clothing, most Krav Maga clubs we know have black, long, wide trousers and a matching sports shirt. This is usually (but not always) required to be purchased through the club, federation, or league. Be sure to check with the club where you're registering your child.
Unlike most other martial arts, Krav Maga training is done in shoes. This is because the training focuses on everyday self-defense in situations where your child would normally wear shoes. These don't have to be special shoes, although it's helpful if your child has comfortable, clean sneakers.
With that, you've essentially got the complete Krav Maga outfit. Of course, it's handy if your child can carry the gear in a sports bag.
Optional: MMA gloves
In adult classes (and sometimes in children's classes as well), particitrousers often wear MMA gloves in addition to boxing gloves. These are open-faced gloves that offer less protection than boxing gloves, but allow you to grab and hold.
Grip skills are essential for self-defense, so it's advisable to have both types of gloves: boxing gloves for exercises that require harder contact, and MMA gloves for more versatile use.
Complete Krav Maga outfit for children:
- Children's boxing gloves
- Shin guards that can be worn over shoes
- Mouthguard
- Cross protector
- Krav Maga trousers
- T-shirt (usually from the club)
View in our webshop:
Collections >> Krav Maga >> Krav Maga sets for children
Optional for Krav Maga for children:
- MMA gloves
- Sports bag
- Water bottle (drinking bottle)
- Towel
- Antibacterial spray to keep gloves fresh
The equipment for young children and older children is usually the same, although older children or those who have been training longer may prefer slightly better (more expensive) boxing gloves and shin guards. A mouthguard and helmet are sometimes only required for older children. This depends on the association, federation, and/or club.
Children's boxing gloves for Krav Maga
Most children are best off starting Krav Maga with relatively simple boxing gloves. These aren't used every lesson or the entire class, as is the case with boxing and kickboxing, for example.
To determine the size you need, we have included a size chart for each children's boxing glove in our webshop that you can best follow.
Shin guards for Krav Maga
For Krav Maga, we almost always recommend cotton shin guards. This is because there aren't really any shin guards specifically designed for Krav Maga. Children wear shoes, and most shin guards aren't designed for this.
What we sell most often as shin guards for Krav Maga are cotton shin guards without a base (similar to soccer shin guards, but soft) or simple shin guards with elastic closures that fit snugly over a shoe.
If your child is older/taller, or has been training for longer, then firmer, pre-formed shin guards might be a better choice. They offer more protection and stay in place much better during intense training sessions.
Mouthguard
Even if facial contact is not permitted, we always recommend doing partner exercises with a mouthguard. A mouthguard is inexpensive (much less than a dentist appointment), and even the simplest one helps enormously. Bumps and blows can still inadvertently impact the face (especially with children and beginners).
It's not even about the blows directly to the teeth, but about the teeth that can come into contact with each other. Teeth can easily become damaged when they collide.
Does your child wear braces? Then a special mouthguard for braces is highly recommended. A regular mouthguard isn't compatible with braces, and you'll definitely want to protect your teeth, mouth, lips, and braces!
Groin protector
There are groin protectors for both boys and girls. These aren't always required for younger children, but they are certainly permitted. A simple tok isn't expensive and offers significant protection against potential (severe) pain.
Especially in Krav Maga, where many exercises involve kicks to the groin, a good groin guard is essential. A tok is never really comfortable, but a knee or kick to the groin is even more so!
We emphasize the importance of Krav Maga here, as it's a form of self-defense that involves targeted kicks to the groin. In virtually all other martial arts, this is prohibited and therefore usually happens accidentally.
Krav Maga martial arts trousers
At most Krav Maga clubs, members wear long, loose-fitting (black) martial arts trousers. These trousers are comfortable for your child to move in and are easy to wash. They're usually made of a polyester-cotton blend, making them comfortable yet durable enough for the many exercises performed in Krav Maga training.
Krav Maga trousers are actually quite similar to Karate, Taekwon-do, Kempo, or Kung Fu trousers. They are loose-fitting and usually have an elastic waistband with a drawstring to tighten them around the waist.
The trousers are unisex and suitable for both boys and girls. They're also wide enough with an elastic waistband, making them suitable for almost any body type. They're usually available in lengths that correspond to your child's actual height. We have size charts available in our webshop for you to consult.
Krav Maga T-shirt
A regular, loose-fitting T-shirt is often sufficient for Krav Maga training. Most clubs have a shirt with their own logo, representing the club or umbrella organization. Be sure to check with your club or association.
Choosing a club shirt is also a good idea, as everyone wears the same uniform and there can be no discrepancies. Sometimes there are different colored shirts, which children can earn for an exam, such as in judo or karate.
If there are no club requirements, we recommend a loose-fitting sports T-shirt for your son or daughter. Ideally, one that's breathable and durable.
Sports bag
Any sports bag is generally suitable if it can hold all your gear, plus a towel and water bottle. We have lots of great sports bags from martial arts brands in our webshop, including a large selection suitable for children.
Antibacterial spray to keep gloves fresh
If you've ever smelled other kids' boxing gloves, you know that a spray to keep them fresh is essential. The sprays in our Sukkiri, FreshKO, and Booster range work incredibly well and last for many months with normal use.
More information and blogs:
- Which martial arts are most suitable for children?
- Martial Arts for kids: learning, laughing and yet a bit serious
- Why Martial Arts Are So Good For Kids
- Krav Maga: Effective Self-Defense
- What is the best martial art for self-defense?
- The positive effects of martial arts
- Krav Maga Union
VISIT FIGHT2WIN.NL
Visiting our store for advice? Click the link below. We always have plenty of children's Krav Maga equipment in stock, and a knowledgeable staff member is always available.
Our showroom is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
