When it comes to boxing for kids, different parents have mixed opinions.
There are those that have boxed themselves and are not too stressed about potential risks for this reason and will give it a little bit more consideration than parents who have never been involved in boxing before.
The reality is there is no black and white answer, and it all comes down to one side of the debate against the other.
However, the question still remains, is boxing good for kids?
Ultimately, since there is no black-and-white answer, the shades of gray should be concentrated on. So that said, it should be left to the discretion of each child’s parent whether or not to enroll them in boxing or MMA classes. Parents, however, should do an ample amount of research into the topic to make sure that the benefits far outweigh the advantages before enrolling their kids.
The following article will take a look at whether boxing is a sport to consider for children and also the benefits of being involved in boxing for kids.
Contents
Is boxing safe for kids?
Boxing for kids is about a somewhat controversial topic.
In fact, it’s more controversial for some than it is for others. Adults are fans of boxing and especially those who have done boxing themselves.
And in this case, the question naturally arises, should I enroll my kid in boxing?
The danger of boxing really does bring about a certain stigma on the sport, and lots of parents are especially judgmental and would not encourage the kids to box.
However, the other side of the story is that boxing is a very controlled contact sport.
According to the medical Academy of pediatrics, there’s a recommendation that doctors are encouraged to relay about child and youth boxing.
The message or warning is that it is the danger of head injuries such as concussions and the likes.
While this is true, it’s not a statistically significant danger and that is a point that will always be out.
There are lots of boxing professionals, veterans, and trainers alike so head injuries like the above are extremely rare.
So that leaves the question is boxing for kids 100% safe?
Well of course not.
Then again, there isn’t a single sport that is.
Contact sports are usually not encouraged young children, and they are generally steered towards gentler sports such as soccer, baseball, and basketball.
However, running on a field for more than an hour with 10 people or sometimes 20 is hardly the safest thing to do.
There are all kinds of dangers involved in a simple sport like this, such as jumps, falls, dangerous tackles, and head-on collisions with other runners.
Although it’s there, it could also be fatal.
The same could be said of the image of the skier coming down and slamming into protective fencing, trees, and his skis being shattered to pieces as his legs fly like spaghetti.
And this is at speeds of more than 100 miles an hour.
So should skiing be forbidden or avoided simply because there are risks involved?
So the conclusion here is that all physically intensive sports carry a risk. Some more so than others.
Therefore when it comes to the safety of MMA and boxing, one would argue that it’s about as safe as any other contact or physically intensive sport.
When it comes to the benefits of boxing for kids and youths, there are enough reasons to actually handle them.
One of the reasons why parents decide to set the kids up in boxing classes is because of the self-discipline and self-development it encourages.
Self-confidence can be pulled in a safe place and under the supervision of a trained professional.
The benefits of boxing can be compared to that of an umbrella providing a multitude of different types of benefits.
So let’s take a look at the first benefit:
#1 It is physically healthy
Boxing will help your child combat obesity.
To lots of people, it’s embarrassing to admit, but seeing an obese child is probably one of the hardest and most prevalent health concerns in developed countries.
This could be due to genetics, medical conditions, and in most cases, a diet of high calories and fast food. Sweets and soda drinks add to this issue as well.
In addition to this, the amount of time that the Internet consumes and the simplicity and convenience of modern life eliminates the need for almost any physical activity.
Thanks a smart technology, almost everything is at the touch of your finger; however this could potentially lead to what we already see, and that is an obesity epidemic.
So boxing will help to eliminate the extra fat fast.
Boxing training routines are intense and involve healthy exercises such as jumping, running, and encourages footwork and mobility.
All this is done while encouraging excellent hand-eye coordination.
Boxing also does wonders for the upper body and improves balance and coordination in children.
This ultimately makes him more capable of fending off bullies, and this is a problem that most kids would want to resolve.
#2 Boxing is psychologically healthy
If you ever heard that boxing built character, it may sound cliché. You won’t think that after reading motivational boxing quotes from some of the greats though.
From what we know about cultural boxing and watching movies such as Rocky, it is evident that boxing helps a person find their inner strength and overcome obstacles and ultimately become a winner.
It also improves physical health, which promotes feel-good hormones in oneself and boosts your confidence.
Children will tend to become less aggressive in the process.
Ultimately, a child who is more confident and sure of themselves is less prone to validate themselves to the confrontation of any kind and less prone to outbursts as well.
Ultimately, anger lessens your concentration, and a good boxer will control the emotions and develop self-awareness and ultimately will help them to win the fight.
There are certain things that require a clear mental focus when it comes to boxing. Fighting an opponent, punching a boxing speed bag, and nimble footwork.
This is ultimately a trait of great use in the classroom and can also help you ace it in the ring.
Focus and determination are crucial aspects of boxing, and two of the skills that have huge payoffs even in your adult life.
#3 Boxing is safe for kids and teenagers
Boxing is one of those activities that is always done under adult supervision.
Even with youth boxing, adult supervision is provided.
However, the majority of training and workouts concentrate on and include shadow boxing and the likes.
So punching on kids or punching all the time for that matter is not something that occurs.
Most of the time, training will encourage you to stretch, condition, and practice punches on the speed bag.
This is why you probably see kids often jumping, doing shadowboxing, and running.
Ultimately, these activities can lead to some knuckle bruises, finger fractures, and scratches, but nothing quite as serious or fatal as the head injuries that many doctors and parents fear.
The only time your kid will face another child as an opponent is during sparring.
However, sparring is not fighting, and trainers always make sure to inform kids of the goal of sparring to ensure that they do not hurt their opponent or lunch some overzealous punches.
Ultimately the point of sparring is to learn new techniques and styles and ultimately become better boxers by mastering these techniques and skills.
#4 Social benefits of youth boxing
A benefit of boxing that is often overlooked is the social benefit.
Boxing gets kids off the streets and gives them something productive, safe, and healthy to indulge in.
It also allows them to decompress and channel their aggression and energy positively.
This can be said for many sports out there; however, boxing comes with an added bonus of teaching kids self-protection in self-defense.
This is incredibly helpful in any local community.
Kids will also learn the art of discipline and self-improvement as they are almost always around authority figures, such as training professionals and boxing professionals who are usually good role models.
Ultimately that youthful or adolescent restlessness will be channeled positively into learning and mastering the art of boxing.
When should kids start with boxing?
So you don’t need to worry about injuries to the head, and therefore even a child can start learning the technical aspects of the sport.
Children who are showing an interest in the sport can start at any time before they advance to sparring.
Before moving to the next level, kids can begin at the age of 10 to start practicing amateur boxing.
This is the ideal age for practicing as children in this age group easily grasp boxing techniques and are more likely to become professional boxers, and ultimately become stuck into the sport.
You also don’t need to worry about kids being hurt while practicing as they don’t have the power to cause injuries to anyone.
Moreover, when practicing, they’ll be paired with other kids of the same age, height, and weight class. Also, amateur boxing equipment is necessary, so headgear and kids gloves will be used to protect them from potential injuries.
Junior boxing licenses can only be given to kids when they turn 15.
This is when they are known as youth boxers, and once they are between 17 and 18 years of age of boxing in all categories are open for them to participate in.
How to start with boxing
Before beginning boxing, there are four pieces of gear that you need.
Your first boxing class will seem intimidating, to say the least.
However, suit up with your gloves and wraps and get ready to kick the BOB dummy, aim for your partner’s mitts and punch the bag.
If you are wondering how long it takes to get good at boxing, well, the answer is from the day you start training, you need to train at least three times a week.
And after that, it will take you approximately six months to get the hang of boxing techniques. However, it ultimately depends on the individual as well.
Your training should involve long runs, shadowboxing as well as short sprints.
Jumping rope is good when practicing for boxing, and working on agility drills like ladders and quick cuts is recommended. We’re going to state the obvious too, practicing on a children’s punching bag at home can speed up the learning process.
You can start boxing from as young as 10 years old, and no one is too old to take up boxing, irrespective of whether you 50, 60 or 70 years old.
If boxing is something you love to do, you don’t need validation from anyone in order to pursue it. Ultimately you owe it to yourself to give it a shot.
Related Questions
What is the youngest age that you can start boxing?
Children as young as ten years old can begin boxing because at this age they can fully grasp techniques and therefore become good at this sport.
How long does it take before you learn to box?
You need to practice at least three times a week for approximately six months before you get a good grasp of boxing techniques and can be considered an amateur boxer.
How old you need to be to participate in all boxing categories?
You need to be between the ages of 17 and 18 in order to be able to participate in all boxing categories.
