Most sports have some danger. It’s the nature of the beast and one made up of the words kick and boxing is unlikely to be an exception.
When children start in our club, they will initially only learn the skills they need to advance – kicking, punching, stances, movement as well as some fun and fitness. Mostly they will use a punching bag to practice their drills. As they progress, they may want to try their skills in the ring.
I’m always amazed how most children’s eyes are focused on the ring – they’re either intimidated or completely inspired by it. Some will want to get in as soon as possible while others take some time to muster up the courage to give it a go.
When they are ready, our sparring operates in a controlled environment because our children’s safety is our priority. However, it is a sport, and the only way a child will improve is to come face to face with another and put all those newly acquired skills to the test. The bag doesn’t punch back, but this new opponent will, that in itself is a new skill that needs to be learned.
To operate a controlled sparring environment for children takes experience. As experienced coaches, we have learned to read signs. We can usually tell if a child is intimidated, showing off, upset but trying to hold it in, being egotistical, or simply getting going as the going gets tough
The act of sparring is where two people, children or adults, put on protective gear and basically try their best to hit and kick each other, without getting punched or kicked back. In the best-controlled environment, accidents will happen.
While I don’t believe a fighter at any age or skill level should ever stand there and take a beating, when a newbie is trying to learn the skills of sparring, empathy should be shown by the more experienced fighter who should strive to be in control of the situation.
Generally, the most controlled fighters I have ever met, are senior, mature and skilled enough to know exactly how much their trainee is able to handle. However, when it comes to children, it is very hard for them to understand. Part of our coaching is to teach them how to be in control, when to give it, when to take it and how much they should be able to give and take.
While training for a competitive fight, a sparring opponent should always be tougher, more skilled, and, if possible, bigger to give the correct challenge to the trainee. If the training has not been demanding enough, the trainee will go to the tournament and take a whooping. That can be dangerous.
We stress-test all of our little fighters to make sure they are ready for a fight. Once in the ring, they are on their own for at least two 90 second rounds and they must stand up and fight.
It may sound strange but being punched and kicked is something the body and mind can be conditioned to cope with. With training, you can learn to fight back and maintain control with no hint of panic. Generally, boys get used to this rough & tumble from an early age, but it doesn’t always come so naturally to girls, who can panic and go into shock at first.
In the real world, we all hope children and adults never come under attack but how amazing would it be if they had the ability to stay calm and defend themselves. How much better and safer a world would that be.
