Good age to start

[hoplite]

Hi I have a very young boy and I am keen to get him into boxing, what is a good age to start them off at?

Thanks in advance

[Howlin Mad Missy]

hmm,

lots of top boxers seem to start at about 6-8. I guess it comes down to drive and natural ability as many boxers have started much, much later.

But you know if he's younger you could have him hit yor palms, like you would do with focus mitts, I've seen that done quite a lot.

[greynotsoold]

It really depends on the child. For example, a friend's four year old son that I worked with a few years ago. He saw a Tapia poster of mine said it was his favorite fighter. He soon could find every tape with a Tapia fight on it (out of some 300 mostly unlabeled tapes) and would watch them over and over Very precocious, the harder part of teaching him was getting him to imitate what he saw on tape and to think it was his idea, Within weeks he could hit the double end bag I adjusted for him with jabs and rights while circling both ways . Jab his way in, double hook the body, or a right to the heart and a left hook... he was bright wanted to learn and was ready to do so. Conversley another friend wanted me to tach his grandson but at 4, he was a 4 year old boy- no interest in fighting and at six the same; maybe as he gets older he'll want to learn maybe no. Its not for everybody. Some suggestions if he is ready to learn: it is fun so make it so. No need to belabor power and handspeed and how you can get hurt etc... ingrain the basics;hands up, chin down,jab right, how to move how to defend against each punch as he learns to throw it. Small-40pound or so- bag raised high so he can just hit the bottom third, offering a bit of resistance without detroying his shoulders before he really has any. Plus it swings more keeps him moving. Play punch mitts with him- its lots of fun. With the 4yr old I'd get on my knees and we'd "box" If he just threw punches I'd slip roll make him miss and frustrate him; if he used his jab, boxed and picked his punches he'd get to hit me. All the while I'm putting my hands out, throwing themm past his head to get him used to it, sometimes whistling one aso he'd hear it. Occasionally I'd tap him because you do get hit a bit; so he knows it is part ofit and no thing of terror . In general I'm of the mind that the younger the better but it all comes down to the boy and how his mind works. Sorry to run on so but this is a subject I've thought on and worked with for over a decade now

[hoplite]

Thanks for a good reply he is a bit young yet but will take on board what you said, and I agree it will be made as much fun as possible.

[Howlin Mad Missy]

good post grey-and agree it should be made fun for them