When Should Your Child Start a Career in High Level Sports?

My Personal Sporting Background
I started Archery when I was six and first represented Singapore at 13yo. I continued to represent Singapore in National and regional tournaments until I was 20yo. During which time I instructed at a club level and finally ended up coaching the woman's national team before I left for the US for college. My own career was waning as I encountered injuries and various stresses coinciding with my schooling at years 11 & 12. While I have my equipment still in the attic and help my dad (who imports and exports archery equipment) with his website, my archery days are all but over.

I started martial arts when I was 13yo. I earned my black belt at 17. From there I coached at a club level until I left for the states. At college, I joined an association which trained me in two disparate styles at a very high level. This association would later grade me up to 3rd dan and awarded me a Teaching Certificate. I started a small traditional taekwondo school in Western Australia in mid 2000. I have since gained some recognition from peers around the world through the IAOMAS association, and have been promoted to 5th dan BB. I continue to train myself and my students hard.

Questions Asked for Martial Arts
I am constantly asked by William's friend's Mums - "when should I start [name] on martial arts?"

Martial Arts and William (Aged 6yo)
I have not insisted that William join me in training. In fact, I don't even accept children at my school. The youngest I'll take them is if they're 14yo or taller than myself. The reason is simple. The kind of training we do requires a level of maturity because we are preparing ourselves for physical combat. This is not a day care centre and I'm not into games to keep my students motivated. The training is grueling, and the risks/mitigants we discuss are PG(13) ... at least.

Self Defence and Peer Socialisation
Not all martial arts Moms are putting their children into martial arts schools for self defence though. And this is very much in line with my philosophy. If you are looking for a martial arts school, look for an environment in which your child would benefit from the social and environmental aspects. Some competition. Some gameplay. It's all in good fun. But this you can get from anywhere else - from Toddler gym, gymbaroo, etc. So you're not really depending on the martial arts school to provide your child the ability to fight or self defend - because they're probably not going to be able to do that.

Learning Martial Arts With the Right Support
I've got William enrolled into Suzuki Violin. For the past three years, William and I have been going to practice once a week and have practiced by ourselves 3-6 times a week. What he has accomplished as a 6yo is beyond my wildest expectations. But the fact is that there is a lot of parental involvement, and I also bring my own experience as a sporting coach to bear. Contrast this with a group of young children, with an impatient and inexperienced young Black Belt instructor. They have no clue about how children learn, expect them to do the same as they, and rush through the syllabus. Children need for instruction to be clear, slow and repeated. They need to be coached because not only because the uptake is slow, but also the physical coordination is challenging. Trust me when I tell you that most children learn the wrong thing at that age, and it'll take much longer to undo than not!

For now, I'm happy for William to just come down to my school about once in a month or two. He brings down a snack, goes through warm ups with me (he's quite fit), sees us practicing and eats morning tea. This way he gets acquainted with what we're up to. Also, I've started 'showing' him martial arts techniques outside class. He doesn't like it much - especially when I put a handlock on him. But better me with control than some other kid trying to crank one on him.

Lastly, to try an answer the question ... I think children should go into high level sports if they've got the right kind of home environment. If you are confused as to what kind of home environment that is, you pretty much don't know what is needed to push your child into that level of performance. Not to worry, many many people have never played sports at a high level and have not been disadvantaged for it. (Even though it's a real rush).

Otherwise, the child is just dying to do the game beyond the level at which he's already at and is dragging you the rest of the way. Sometimes it happens this way, and you've just got to go for it!!!

Good luck! Check out some of the links below.

Colin

ps. Did anyone download the funny William Tell Overture video link I just put up under Comedy? Hilarious. William however just thought it was 'alright'. Hahhaahahahah.

At what age should a child begin regular continuous exercise at moderate or high intensity?
When Should Children Start Playing Organized Sports?
Protecting Kids from Sports and Recreation Injuries
Children and Sport: A Guide for Parents