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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask your opinion on contact sports?

31 replies

InCrowCountryIDance · 25/03/2016 23:34

Not an actual dilemma, just a matter of curiosity, what is your stance on people, especially young children, engaging in contact sports?

OP posts:
BackforGood · 25/03/2016 23:41

What would you class as contact sports?
At Primary school level rugby is played as tag rugby already.

Are you talking about martial arts, or things like football and basketball as well ?

MattDillonsPants · 25/03/2016 23:42

I don't like it because while a child is still growing, they're quite easily damaged. I think that rugby particularly is bad...head injuries can be devastating and as a parent, your job is to protect your children. Obviously a head injury could occur anywhere but avoiding contact sports seems sensible.

Original poster
InCrowCountryIDance · 25/03/2016 23:46

@BackforGood
Pretty much anything where contact will certainly happen. Martial arts and Rugby are the ones I know best but yeah, football and basketball too :)

OP posts:
Alisvolatpropiis · 25/03/2016 23:53

There are some sports, such as rugby,for which contact is necessary. Professional rugby players can be as young as 18 playing at national level, there is no way they will be capable of withstanding players from other countries (New Zealand is a good example), if they never experience contact until they are an adult. I imagine the injuries could only get worse, if contact is removed entirely for under 18's in the uk.

BombadierFritz · 26/03/2016 00:00

All life has risk. I am reasonably ok with football, fine with martial arts as long as i know the trainers/attitudes, absolutely not fine at all with rugby

curren · 26/03/2016 07:33

Both me and kids compete at kick boxing.

I don't have a stance. It's been great for both my kids. In terms of confidence, fitness, helped them concentrate better.

It's not for all kids. We tried it, loved it. We all do it. Dh isn't that fussed about doing it but is very involved the dojo.

That said some dojos (around here) are sending giving belts out like sweets and send kids into competitions that aren't ready for. Some dojos promise black belts with 12-18 months.

I purposely picked a dojo, that wasn't easy to get belts (when my kids get a belt I wanted them to actually be at that standard, rather than having it because I was willing for pay for the grading) and held safety above everything else.

It's the same as picking any hobby. Give it a go and find somewhere that you feel is good and suits you.

curren · 26/03/2016 07:33

Oh and my kids are 5 and 12

MyBreadIsEggy · 26/03/2016 07:35

Me and my sister used to kick box.....she broke my nose when I was 8 Confused but we both carried on until our teens

curren · 26/03/2016 07:46

mybread I have been the only one to get injured so far. Not while fighting either. BlushGrin

TimeToMuskUp · 26/03/2016 07:57

Both DCs do rugby, football and judo (and a couple of non-contact sports - swimming and trampolining). Both are aware of the risks involved and how to take care (as much as possible) of themselves/others. DS1 (10) plays contact rugby (DS2 is 5 so plays tag) and so far we've only had one hairy moment when he went down awkwardly on his neck and had to be ambulanced to our local A&E. The ref/coaches/manager take it very seriously and if they've had a bang to the head won't let them continue. I tend to think all of life comes with risk and both DCs love being active and physical; the payoff of contact sports is hopefully a life spent enjoying teamwork, sport and being physically fit.

The judo club they attend is similarly run; the guy in charge is militant about behaviour and sportsmanship. For me I think a huge part of these sports is finding a club where they put the safety of the children first.

WellErrr · 26/03/2016 08:02

All sports are good for children.

Mine spend most of their time wrestling and playing 'rugby' and they're 3 and 1. It's great fun for them and they learn boundaries, and how not to hurt each other.

hippoinamudhole · 26/03/2016 08:07

Mine used to do judo. I found a club I was comfortable with. The coach wouldn't let beginners get thrown until they had been going about 6 weeks and were confident with a couple of throws and knew how to land properly.

My youngest played rugby in the school team but it wasn't something I encouraged. I felt much happier with the judo than the rugby

QueenofLouisiana · 26/03/2016 09:16

DS did a season of rugby but has chosen swimming as his sport now- I'm not disappointed! However, the rugby club were fanatical about teaching safe tackles. Anything deemed unsafe was swiftly and firmly dealt with- as was showboating after scoring points and unsporting behaviour.
I'd be far more worried about school rugby, where the teachers may not be rugby specialists coaching it constantly, than I was about club rugby.

teeththief · 26/03/2016 09:48

My DS starts secondary school in September. I'm dreading him having to play rugby. He's one of the smaller boys in his year and the thought of him being tackled by boys twice as tall and wide makes me nervous. I think they should be allowed to choose which sports they want to do (like they can choose which of the arts or which instrument they want to play).

My DC do a martial art and both have been injured occasionally but they only spar against childens their own level. Throwing boys who haven't plated rugby before in with boys who have played for years is a really bad idea IMO

Original poster
InCrowCountryIDance · 26/03/2016 11:28

Wow, more replies than I was expecting Grin
For the record, all three of my DSs have done contact sports at one point in their lives. DS1 does rugby and swims, he went to judo once with DS3 but he decided he didn't care for it. DS2 did rugby at school but much prefers running and ballet. DS3 is avid rugby and judo player. I think it's been really good for them, especially the control and respect that goes with them. I mean DS3 basically thinks of the coaches at his club as his second family, and some of the older lads treat him like a little brother.
@teeth try not to worry too much, the coach should put him in a spot where he won't get too much rough action and who knows, he might like it Flowers

OP posts:
IndridCold · 26/03/2016 11:37

On the whole I think they are an excellent thing for those who want to do them. The most important thing is that they are taught well, so that the DCs learn how to avoid injuries.

We did have a problem when DS was at primary school. One of his friends had an older brother who was learning a martial art, he was coming home and showing little brother some of the more exciting moves and holds, and little brother was coming into school and trying them on his friends, with no real idea of the dangers of not executing them properly.

Junosmum · 26/03/2016 11:51

At my school, when the female pe teacher was off we'd join in with the boys- more often than not we'd be playing rugby. We loved it. My DH is a rugby player.

We now have a ds. We are a contact sport family and feel it would be a shame to take it out of schools.

JacquesHammer · 26/03/2016 12:12

I coach rugby at primary level (we have Under 9s to Under 11s).

We teach full contact. We teach it safely and responsibly and NO one is allowed to particpate until they can do it with correct technique. We take it very seriously.

In my opinion it is far more important to learn a skill as a younger child and grow with it than suddenly be thrown into a full contact sport at 11 or older with no experience.

I do not support rugby being compulsory in any school - it should be very much choice based.

curren · 26/03/2016 12:21

OP why where you wanting to know what others thought?

Original poster
InCrowCountryIDance · 26/03/2016 12:49

@curren
Curiosity really, they tend to split opinions. On the one hand they're very good for keeping fit, kids learn things like teamwork, respect for each other, control of themselves, etc. But there is always the risk of serious injuries, I mean cuts and bruises are expected and they all accept that they might get hurt but no amount of good training can take away the fact that you could be badly hurt at any time. I was interested to see whether the general consensus was that the benefits outweigh the risk or if it's just too dangerous.

OP posts:
BackforGood · 26/03/2016 17:42

My thinking is that you can get hurt at anytime, doing anything though.
The year my dd broke her arm, she was playing competitively at football, (lots - school, District, County matches) , cricket, and basketball on regular basis, and never hurt herself beyond bruises, yet she broke her arm tripping over some air in the playground at lunchtime.
Same with all sorts - we've all met the skier who broke their leg on the airport steps, etc.
IMO, everything that is gained from taking part in a sport, FAR outweighs the risk of being injured.

standingonlego · 26/03/2016 17:46

Agree with jaqyeshammer

Contact rugby technique, skill and safety taken very seriously at DS rugby club.

Would be worried about it as school as coaches / teachers not so specialised... plus it should be optional not compulsory

BarbarianMum · 26/03/2016 17:48

Fine if it's a choice. I think it's abusive to make children of any age play a contact sport against their will.

I also think that contact sports need to be taught by specifically trained instructors.

capercaillie · 26/03/2016 17:57

I have a DS who has just started contact rugby at 9 years old at a club. I'm OK with that because I've seen it taught well by good coaches. I've also seen what happens when you introduce untrained kids into that mix - they need 1-1 coaching to catch up and tackle safely. I don't know enough about school rugby at secondary level. Not sure why school wouldn't have qualified coaches A rugby level one takes 3 weekends to get...

Emptynestx2 · 26/03/2016 18:16

Hi - my DS has played rugby since he was 7, my husband has always coached at the club and refereed several times at school. I totally understand your worries and I have spent many an hour on the sidelines with my heart in my mouth, we've also had a few injuries, the worst of which was a knee which put him out of action for months. The coaches are all well trained to make the sport as safe as possible but it is of course not without risk. DS is now 19 and still chooses to play, he loves the sport and insists it has taught him a lot about life and enabled him to make many friends along the way (I continue use to wait with baited breath for his text to say he's OK after a game!)

I do not think that children should be forced to take place in contact sport, they really need to WANT to play and take the risks. Tag rugby is fine in primary school but I don't think full contact should be compulsory.