Kickboxing for Children

Kickboxing for kids can be fun and rewarding.

Some parents enroll their kids in ballet, swimming, baseball, and piano lessons. However, some energetic kids desire a high-impact and physically challenging sport such as kickboxing. Kickboxing for children is offered at many martial arts schools and fitness facilities, and legitimate instructors will stress safety measures.

Benefits

Kickboxing may improve self-confidence.

According to Kickboxing.net, kickboxing may increase your child's confidence, self-discipline, focus in academic and other activities, endurance and strength. It conducted a survey of parents and teachers whose responses indicated students showed a excellent improvement in academics, concentration, and self-esteem. Although self-defense is the objective, children's kickboxing instructors stress that the activity should only be used for physical health and not to bully or intimidate others.

Safety

Safety gear is necessary for sparring level students.

Most children's kickboxing classes require gloves, helmets, mouthpiece, protective cup, shin guards, and wrist cuffs at the intermediate level. Beginning students don't usually engage in sparring or bodily contact with classmates. However, there are some schools that allow sparring between beginners if they intend to participate in kickboxing competitions.

Styles

There are many styles of kickboxing.

Aerobic or cardiovascular (cardio) kickboxing, combines boxing, various martial arts forms, and high/low-impact aerobics for a total body workout. Most children's cardio kickboxing classes are offered to teens and is non-competitive.

Muay Thai kickboxing from Thailand may stress techniques like wrestling, blocking and avoidance, and strength conditioning. Children must be at least 6 to participate in Muay Thai.

Shoot boxing originated in Japan and may involve throwing techniques similar to Judo along with the traditional kicks and punches. Children must be at least 6 to participate.

American Kickboxing is similar to Muay Thai but is usually full-contact and not appropriate for children. However, some schools may offer less combative training.

Tournaments/Competitions

Tournaments give kids a chance to show-off their skills.

There are children's kickboxing competitions available on state, regional and national levels. The largest martial arts tournament, according to Business to Business magazine, is the Joe Corley American Karate and Tae Kwan Do Tournament or the Battle of Atlanta. This famous tournament has divisions in kung-fu, karate, kickboxing, and other styles. Check with your child's school for a list of available tournaments in your area.

Tips and Warnings

Ask the school or fitness center if one day trials are available. That will allow you and your child to see if this is an activity she would like to pursue.

Only enroll your child in a course taught by an certified kickboxing instructor.

References

• Teens Health: Kickboxing
• Kickboxing.net: Sport Kickboxing for Kids/Children
• What is Kickboxing
• Little Warriors Kickboxing Tournament