Start 'em young

[hammer_2020]

The next Sultan Ibragimov (http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1931885)

Like it says above. Whoever the father is, he's done an awesome job of coaching his boy at an early age. I am however concerned with the potential damage to the growth plates with so much impact at such a tender age.

[HereBeADragon]

Thanks for sharing that James. I am really impressed! I've seen pro mma fighter that dont have boxing skills and footwork that solid. As for the growth plates I doubt there is much danger there. Think about the amount of abuse children take just playing. I always wish I could track down these fathers and ask them how they train their kids to fight like that. Its really amazing. I tell you this I feel sorry for the bully that comes across this kid on his first day of school :D

[hammer_2020]

Yeah, that kid has razor-sharp movement, and it does tickle me to imagine the first alpha playground ape he encounters :D Not just that, but did you notice how he already has more than a hint of muscle, even at his age? :o

He's going to grow up to be somebody!

While it is true that kids definitely take a lot of impact just in the course of playing, I'd like to think that it tends to be a lot more randomised and spread out than the very specific pounding boxing entails. Still, here's hoping for the best. I hope to watch this kid's pro debut before I retire :D


EDIT: Actually, speaking of early-age pedagoguy, that raises an interesting question - how did the father get the kid to sit up and pay attention and take the whole exercise seriously enough to develop such skill in such a short period of time? With most kids I know, it would very rapidly degenerate into a game of giggle-and-windmill-for-two-minutes before they lose interest and run off to do something else.

[hideouse]

how did the father get the kid to sit up and pay attention and take the whole exercise seriously enough to develop such skill in such a short period of time?

I deal with six kids every day. In my experience, the kids cue off of the unconscious habits and tendencies of the adults around them. I tend to be playful, even when I don't particularly want to be. That makes my kids playful, even when I don't want them to be. The father in that vid is pretty serious. The few eastern Europeans I've met tend toward the serious and reserved, no doubt having to do with the history of the culture they grew up in. Makes for good students.

[HereBeADragon]

I think your on to something there Martin. Perhaps it really is all more to do with expectations imposed on children as opposed to their abilities. If you look at ancient Rome or European cultures/tribes of that era. Men were soldiers and heads of household sometimes as young as 12. Turn of the century (the one before last) 6 year olds worked in industrial factories. I'm definitly rethinking how I plan to train children in the future.

[hammer_2020]

Good point there, hideouse. Where I come from, people definitely tend towards the flippant, dismissive end of the spectrum and that seems to reflect in the kids. Nothing a dose of the ol' stick can't cure, I suppose :D

[hideouse]

Good point there, hideouse. Where I come from, people definitely tend towards the flippant, dismissive end of the spectrum and that seems to reflect in the kids. Nothing a dose of the ol' stick can't cure, I suppose :D

IMHO, the atmosphere people grow up in sets a tone that never goes away. I might be able to apply a veneer of a different mode of expression, but I won't ever bet on it. Looking at what changes I have experienced and seen others experience, they have only come after great and lengthy efforts on the part of those around me. Don't let my poor choice of words distract from the fundamental fact that most of the changes I see happening are inadvertent- the result of emulating those who set an attractive example. Not being forcefully applied in any way.
IMHO, YMMV, etc.

[HereBeADragon]

hey Jones this kid go to your school? ;)