Known as the sweet science, boxing requires far more intelligence and skill than physical brutality. Even young children take to the sport, enjoying its competitive nature and fast-paced action. Training children to box will not only keep their bodies fit but also will teach self-defense, improve discipline, heighten mental focus, enhance self-confidence and bolster self-esteem.
Equipment
Before beginning any boxing training, children must be outfitted with the proper safety equipment. Children should wear large padded boxing gloves to protect their hands when working out on a heavy bag or sparring with a partner. During sparring sessions, children also should wear padded headgear and a mouthpiece to help reduce the effects of any blows to the head.
Structure
While many veteran fighters might not find their training regimens entertaining, boxing classes for children need to be fun, or otherwise the kids will lose interest in a hurry. Kids should be taught with a gentle hand, focusing more on enthusiastic participation than strict discipline. Think of ways to turn routine boxing drills into games, challenging the kids to see how accurate they can be with their punches or how many times they can make contact with a swinging bag.
Fitness
Boxers need to learn how to exercise and train to keep their bodies in fighting shape. Children have to learn this aspect of the sport as well, gaining knowledge in how to properly warm up and stretch prior to working out. A fit boxer is a good boxer.
Footwork
All effective punching actually starts below the waist with precise footwork. Boxing trainers have long used skipping rope to help teach footwork, and the same ploy will appeal to children, who seldom miss a chance to jump rope. Kids enjoy learning how to stand and move around the ring like a true professional boxer, so footwork needs to be part of every training class.
Punching
When teaching children to box, always stress the fundamental techniques of punching and never equate the sport with wanting to hurt someone or hitting another person to inflict pain. The goal should be to instruct kids on the correct way to throw basic jabs, hooks, crosses and uppercuts. Kids should throw their punches with straight wrists and smooth, relaxed arm motions to reduce the chance of injury.
Defense
The basic rule of boxing is "protect yourself at all times." For all its intense action, boxing largely is a defensive sport, with blocking, ducking and slipping punches as important as a devastating left hook. Kids can have a great deal of fun avoiding their instructor's punches, especially if the teacher plays up the role as a monster or flips foam balls instead of punches at the kids.
Posted in: Boxing Training