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Sports vs Martial Arts for 7 year old boy

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Sports or Martial Arts?

  • Sports

  • Martial Arts

  • Underwater basket weaving

  • Other (opinion posted below)

Results are only viewable after voting.
If I had a son definitely basketball. Greatest sport ever IMO and relatively low impact on the body (compared to football or mma). I know too many guys at work that have lingering football injuries from school.
 
Lazarus52980 said:
I had not really thought too much about it yet. That was part of the reason for this thread. The popular opinion from this thread seems to be football from what has been posted about it so far.
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my son has done nearly every sport. football is one we are avoiding.

To much damage is done to the brain and body over the years. yes i know sports carry risk. To me that is one i do not want to risk.

it's summer anyway. Baseball should be starting soon. give that a shot. in the winter is wrestling, etc.

if he has a break and you odn't mind paying $40 will get you in a martial arts class at the YMCA to see if its something he wants.


OILFIELDTRASH said:
If I had a son definitely basketball. Greatest sport ever IMO and relatively low impact on the body (compared to football or mma). I know too many guys at work that have lingering football injuries from school.
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ohh forgot basketball. i didn't think of it since my kids are fricken short.
 
OILFIELDTRASH said:
If I had a son definitely basketball. Greatest sport ever IMO and relatively low impact on the body (compared to football or mma). I know too many guys at work that have lingering football injuries from school.
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Um... I'm only 5'8" and my wife is only 5'6"... I am not sure basketball is for him...
 
lxskllr said:
I tend to agree. Light lifting shouldn't be a problem, but I'm against power lifting by children.
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Who said anything about power lifting? We lift so he can get stronger, not to compete or for any other reason...

If it matters, my 6 year old daughter lifts, and (to some degree) so does my 4 year old son...
 
GasX said:
Whatever you decide, stop having your 7 year old lift weights
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It's okay if the weights are very light. Russian olympic weight lifters started young to learn the motions. Helped with balance for the future.

What are your goals for your kid? to have fun? or turn it into a career? Height in basketball isn't a big deal if he's just supposed to tire himself out, have fun, and learn teamwork.

Maybe this summer send him to some sort of general athletic daycare camp where he might spend a week on a different sport/activity and then figure out what he likes best.
 
Lazarus52980 said:
Why do you say that?
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its debatable. some say its hard on the joints, can cause bone fusion and that hormonal the body is not ready for such.


edit: as some said it depends on what they are doing. My daughter uses very very light (3 lbs) and does it a lot. She has a belts on when she runs stairs and pullups.

my son (6) try's to copy her but not as strong yet.

Now way would i let her try the stuff i use.
 
Both. Most sports (unless you live in a very warm/very cold) are not year round. So your little kiddie can do his sport in season, then martial arts in another. Baseball in the summer months, and lax or soccer in the spring. As he gets older he can try out football. He is probably already a little to old to just start trying hockey, but you could have him skate and see if she enjoys it.

As far as martial arts go, enroll him in jiu jitsu/judo. Yeah karate is cool and what not, but when the hell is your kid ever going to be breaking boards and BS? It's much more practical for him how to learn arm bars, chokes and leverage techniques.

Also, why is your son lifting weights at 7???? That's terrible.
 
Lazarus52980 said:
Who said anything about power lifting? We lift so he can get stronger, not to compete or for any other reason...
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No one said one way or the other. I don't live in your house, and your kids aren't mine. Some people have their kids power lift, and I don't think it's good for anyone, but adults can do as they please. It's irresponsible for parents to encourage their kids to power lift.
 
Martial arts vote here, providing its not stupid tae kwon do.

Get him in some judo or jujutsu. Even if he doesn't stick with it into his later years, knowing basic ukemi (rolling and falling without harm) is a valuable skill for anyone.

I'd steer clear of any place that focuses on sport. Cheap trophies everywhere and an emphasis on belt testing should be warning signs. Don't do your son the disservice of enrolling him in a cardio class business masquerading as martial science.
 
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Martial Arts is something you can easily do your entire life. Sports- usually not so much.

That said I think you should just give him some options, but make it clear he has to choose one and *will* be going to it no matter how much he complains. Just choosing for him will probably make compliance harder.
 
I voted sports. Learning how to lose is just as important a life lesson as anything else, and my belief is that team sports are the best way to do that.
 
Midwayman said:
Martial Arts is something you can easily do your entire life. Sports- usually not so much.
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How so?

Weather can be a issue for some sure but a lot of them can be played inside also or are you talking about the time frame the game is played just for leagues and such?
 
z1ggy said:
Also, why is your son lifting weights at 7???? That's terrible.
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I don't understand all of the hate on lifting weights? I even posted links to posts in H&F where you can see the video of what he is doing if you wanted to. His form is good, and we do a decent number of reps. I see no reason why he can't get stronger just because he is a kid...

Someone please explain this to me.
 
FallenHero said:
I voted sports. Learning how to lose is just as important a life lesson as anything else, and my belief is that team sports are the best way to do that.
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Not to mention at that age social is a huge part and team sports is where it's at for them then.
 
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