Pain. Fear. Anger. Frustration. Confusion. Sadness.
These are all reasons why some kids cry in karate class.
It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s important to understand why and how to address it constructively.
As an instructor, I want your child to feel appropriately challenged, not embarrassed or humiliated.
I recognize the effort it takes for you to bring your child to class when it would be easier to stay home with screens and comfortable routines.
My goal is to reward that commitment with classes that are both fun and challenging—when your child leaves, I want them to be glad they came.
While I’m not a drill sergeant, I do have expectations.
Students must put in consistent effort both in class and at home.
In my experience, children who frequently become upset in class are often those who haven’t been practicing regularly.
Let’s explore why some kids cry in class and what we can do about it.
Common Reasons Children Cry in Karate Class
1. They Don’t Want To Look “Stupid”
The Problem: Nobody wants to appear incompetent, especially in front of peers.
Students often worry:
- “Am I punching correctly?”
- “Where should my kick be aimed?”
- “I can’t remember which way to turn.”
When a student hasn’t practiced at home, these anxieties are amplified because they genuinely don’t know the material they should have mastered.
The Solution: Ask questions!
Encourage your child to voice their confusion.
Someone else likely has the same question, and even if they don’t, others may still learn something new from the explanation.
Regular practice at home also builds confidence that prevents these moments of uncertainty.
2. They Freeze Under Pressure
The Problem: Students who feel overwhelmed often simply stop participating.
This creates multiple issues:
- They miss valuable practice time.
- Their partners lose training opportunities.
- It may appear as deliberate disobedience to instructors.
Most concerning is that this freeze response during training might translate to real-life situations where movement is crucial for safety.
The Solution: Teach your child to:
- Recognize when they’re freezing.
- Take deep breaths to reduce stress (the British Heart Foundation has excellent breathing exercises).
- Reset mentally before rejoining the activity.
Sometimes, I’ll have a student briefly sit out to compose themselves, but they’re always welcome back when ready.
3. They’re Frustrated With Their Partner
The Problem: Partner work introduces variables outside your child’s control.
Their partner might:
- Perform techniques incorrectly.
- Use too much force.
- Be distracting during concentration exercises.
The Solution: Communication skills are essential both in karate and life.
Encourage your child to:
- Politely address issues directly with their partner.
- Use specific, non-accusatory language (“Punch to my chest,” while pointing).
- Ask an instructor for assistance if direct communication isn’t working.
4. They’re Physically Uncomfortable
The Problem: Karate involves physical exertion that some children aren’t accustomed to.
They might experience:
- Muscle fatigue.
- Minor discomfort from proper stances.
- Temperature discomfort in the dojo.
The Solution: Build physical resilience through:
- Regular practice at home to develop muscle memory and strength.
- Proper hydration before class.
- Wearing appropriate, comfortable uniform.
- Discussing the difference between challenging discomfort and actual pain.
5. They’re Emotionally Overwhelmed
The Problem: Children bring their entire day’s emotional baggage to class.
They might be:
- Tired from school.
- Hungry or thirsty.
- Processing family/friend conflicts.
- Feeling generally overwhelmed.
- Strained from another activity they’re involved with outside of martial arts.
The Solution: Prepare your child emotionally:
- Ensure they have a snack and water before class.
- Create a brief pre-class routine to mentally transition.
- Talk about school/home stresses before arriving.
- Practice emotional regulation techniques they can use during class.
6. They’re Struggling with Perfectionism
The Problem: Some children set unrealistically high standards for themselves and become upset when they can’t immediately master techniques.
The Solution: Help your child develop a growth mindset:
- Celebrate effort over perfection.
- Point out their improvements, however small.
- Share stories of your own learning struggles.
- Reinforce that mastery requires thousands of repetitions.
The Importance of Home Practice
I cannot emphasize this enough: regular practice at home is essential for success in karate.
When students only practice during class time, they simply don’t develop the muscle memory and confidence needed to progress.
A student who practices 10 minutes daily will advance faster than one who attends class once a week.
This home practice:
- Builds confidence.
- Develops muscle memory.
- Reduces anxiety about forgetting moves.
- Creates opportunities for questions before class.
Even five minutes of daily practice makes a tremendous difference.
Help your child establish a consistent routine—perhaps before dinner or right after homework.
The Bottom Line On Crying In Class
If I notice a pattern of emotional distress, I’ll speak with you to develop strategies to help your child.
My goal isn’t to embarrass students but to help them grow both physically and emotionally through martial arts.
That said, karate requires commitment and effort.
If your child consistently seems unhappy in class despite our interventions, it may be worth considering whether a different activity might better suit their interests and temperament right now.
Not every activity is right for every child at every stage of development.
Read more: Why karate might not be right for your child
Remember, martial arts training builds not just physical skills but emotional resilience.
Working through challenges—rather than avoiding them—is how we grow.
With your support and your child’s practice, most emotional hurdles in class can become valuable learning opportunities.
Photo by Caleb Woods on Unsplash
