DS(7) does kickboxing classes and is now a purple belt which means he can start actually sparring. We bought all the protective equipment including the head guard on the photo attached.
He has had two sparring classes and he’s not happy because he keeps being hit in the face, particularly his eyes by the other children (also purple belt level and up). I thought that hitting anywhere on the head guard was ok but not the face but from a Google search it seems the face is fair game too.
Is this ok for a class of 7-10 year olds though? I could understand if it was perhaps 12+ when you have more experience and control. I spoke to a fellow parent whose DD(8) does the same class and the DD said it’s fine and my DS need to stop being such a baby. He’s left the class almost in tears and needing an ice pack as around his eyes has gone red.
Should I ask the instructor (also owner of the academy) for clarification on where they can hit or does DS need to ‘harden up’ or stop doing this sport if he can’t handle it? I personally think they are far too young to be smacking each other in the face when they have less control than an older person on how hard they hit and where etc, but maybe I’m wrong. I will add that DS is no shrinking violet normally.