Sports vs Martial Arts for 7 year old boy

Sports or Martial Arts?

  • Sports

  • Martial Arts

  • Underwater basket weaving

  • Other (opinion posted below)


Results are only viewable after voting.

Lazarus52980

Senior member
Sep 14, 2010
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I have been working out and lifting weights with my son for about a year now. He is fairly strong for a kid, and I was hoping to get him involved in some sport or activity (We do cub scouts, but that is not all that active). I was wondering what the popular opinion is for a good activity for a 7 year old. Would he get more benefit from sports, or martial arts? Any opinions on one sport or art over another?
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
58,531
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I've never been big on team sports, so I gravitated towards martial arts. It depends on your kid. Is he a team player, or does he fly solo? If you go the martial arts route, make it count. Send him to a good dojo that isn't just a belt factory.
 

sixone

Lifer
May 3, 2004
25,030
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I voted for martial arts. It'll give him confidence, without putting him at risk of concussions and other typical sports injuries.
 

Newbian

Lifer
Aug 24, 2008
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I voted for martial arts. It'll give him confidence, without putting him at risk of concussions and other typical sports injuries.

What kind of sport did you play as a kid where it's more dangerous then having two people attack each other for practice / competition rounds?

Do a normal sports team so the kid is social and not get beat up thinking he is tough because he takes karate and realizes it doesn't work at such a early age.

That is unless you team up Seinfeld style:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2CTihQy_XE
 
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Clinkster

Senior member
Aug 5, 2009
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What kind of sport did you play as a kid where it's more dangerous then having two people attack each other for practice / competition rounds?

Every dojo will practically wrap you in styrofoam to help prevent injury.
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
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what about both?

My son does martial arts but he also wrestles and this summer doing t-ball
 

thegimp03

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2004
7,420
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I voted sports, but what do most of your son's friends participate in? Since your son is only 7, he'll probably want to do whatever activity they're doing.
 

Lazarus52980

Senior member
Sep 14, 2010
615
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what about both?

My son does martial arts but he also wrestles and this summer doing t-ball


Time and $$. I have 4 other children too, so I don't have enough of both to have him involved in more than one... I kind of have to choose.
 

Newbian

Lifer
Aug 24, 2008
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875
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your 7 year old is lifting?

child-s-rare-genetic-condition-causes-hulk-like-super-strength-photo-u2.jpg
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
What kind of sport did you play as a kid where it's more dangerous then having two people attack each other for practice / competition rounds?

Do a normal sports team so the kid is social and not get beat up thinking he is tough because he takes karate and realizes it doesn't work at such a early age.

That is unless you team up Seinfeld style:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2CTihQy_XE

lol what the hell are you talking about?


also i would say tackle football is far worse then anything you THINK happens in martial arts
 

KeithTalent

Elite Member | Administrator | No Lifer
Administrator
Nov 30, 2005
50,231
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Sports for sure, since it fosters teamwork more; all of the kids I know who did marital arts are weirdos (no offence lxskllr).

KT
 

Newbian

Lifer
Aug 24, 2008
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875
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lol what the hell are you talking about?


also i would say tackle football is far worse then anything you THINK happens in martial arts

At 7 years old I doubt they are full on tackling.

Just pointing out at 7 years old most go in baseball / soccer or basketball and those are very safe for sports for kids at such a young age other then to teach them stuff like karate as most of those tend to be oddballs.
 
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jaedaliu

Platinum Member
Feb 25, 2005
2,670
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if it ends up being some type of MMA (or other marital art with ground work) make sure that you keep him out of the exercises that use joint locks. The stresses they put on the developing bones can cause problems down the road.

You should put him in different things. Little kids should run around and have fun. If he enjoys something more, or shows more aptitude in 1 or 2 things, encourage him to keep at it.
 

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
if it ends up being some type of MMA (or other marital art with ground work) make sure that you keep him out of the exercises that use joint locks. The stresses they put on the developing bones can cause problems down the road.

You should put him in different things. Little kids should run around and have fun. If he enjoys something more, or shows more aptitude in 1 or 2 things, encourage him to keep at it.

/this

i agree with the full post. my son does a self-defense type class that incorpartes everything. from mma/wrestling/jude etc.

HE does joint locks on people but will not get them done on him. they won't allow it. just for this weason.

With both kids we put them in many sports. my son found martial arts and wants to do that all the time. my daughter it was gymnastics

At 7 years old I doubt they are full on tackling.

many of th elegues around were start at 6. I personally think that's insane.
 

Baked

Lifer
Dec 28, 2004
36,052
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I've done both myself growing up as a kid. I chose baseball and made lots of friends back then.