: When is it safe for a child to start boxing against a bag? Is there a medically recommended age when it's safe for a child to start hitting a punching bag (in terms of avoiding damage to his hands)? I'm looking for something

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From Science Daily, March 2011 regarding a study done by The Center for Injury Research:

During the 19-year study period, an average of 8,700 boxing injuries
were treated in United States emergency departments each year, and
approximately 2,500 of those injuries were to children and adolescents
6 to 17 years of age. The number of boxing injuries each year
increased 211 percent during the study, climbing from 5,361 injuries
in 1990 to nearly 17,000 injuries in 2008.

The most frequent injury was a fracture (28%) and the most common injury site was the hand (33%).

Injuries from boxing bags apparently happen when the bag is too heavy (there are child-size bags, but they are still about 35-40 lbs, so your child should weigh at least twice that as a beginner), when the boxer has bad technique (the bag swings instead of "pops" because the boxer is pushing instead of jabbing), when the wrist isn't kept straight, when balance is off, when hands are not wrapped and gloved... There are reports of hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder injuries as well as injuries from being batted by the bag as it swings. Bottom line, this probably should not be attempted without proper training. I have found gyms that will start training as young as 8, but they generally suggest that children younger start with a different type of martial art in order to develop some punching skills before hitting a bag (or person).

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The point here is that you must consider the objective of using the bag. A child of 10 - 16 will get far more benefit from a lighter bag that allows them to work on correct posture, technique and longevity of a worthwhile training session to improve fitness. Being able to knock a guy out with one punch should never be the objective of this training and if it is for you - please think again, you will damage a sport and the countless people who do not share your view. In my experience the overwhelming majority of technical boxers and fighters have never started a fight, although they have ended a few. Boxing is a great sport to build strength, fitness and self confidence over a lifetime, it’s not to arm someone with a punch in exchange for their personality, morals, a disregard for the law or to oppress and bully others. Start light, teach your kid to respect his skills, use them as a platform for a strong character and a leader of others and a bigger bag will come in good time.