Athletics for children is the most natural sport. Having barely learned to walk, the baby immediately strives to master running and various types of jumps, and all these activities help not only to throw out excess energy, but to develop the body. For the human body, running has a general strengthening property that promotes the harmonious development of the entire body, and not just any individual part. In addition, endurance is strengthened, which is a very important property for any person.
Athletics for children is very useful and necessary, but it is important that your child has an aptitude for them. Fortunately, this sport allows you to independently determine, by observing your child, whether your baby is suitable for such activities. So, take a closer look at the following factors:
- the child is active, loves to run and jump;
- the child is often the ringleader of children's games;
- The baby’s favorite pastime is to participate in strength and agility competitions with other children;
- your baby strives for leadership and knows how to endure failures;
- the child is harmoniously developed and physically strong.
If all or most of these facts are true, then your baby is quite suitable for this type of activity. It is important to understand that physical activity and hyperactivity are different things. It is not worth sending a hyperactive child to such a section - it will exhaust both him and his coach. This phenomenon relates rather to the mental sphere of life, and athletics cannot have a positive effect on this.
If athletics at school usually uses a variety of areas of this very voluminous concept, then specialized sports schools in athletics require the choice of a specific direction. There are several of them:
- jumps: high, long, pole, triple jump;
- race walking;
- throwing projectiles: discus, hammer, spear, cannonball;
- all-around and relay races.
Of course, you need to choose exclusively together with your child, guided by his abilities and interests. Due to the fact that athletics is familiar to the child at school, it makes sense to find out what he likes most or talk to his physical education teacher.
It is worth understanding that his physique and heredity play an important role (you can often guess how a baby will grow up based on the physique of his parents). For example, any jumps (both high and long) are best suited for long-legged children. But the best runners are light, thin-boned and short guys. If your child is overweight, it will be quite difficult for him to achieve success in this sport, but classes can help your child control his weight.
If your child is inclined to team activities, you can send him to the relay running section - this is where the leading role is given to the coordination of the entire team.
The advantages of athletics, which children usually love, also include the fact that this sport costs parents less than others. All you need is a high-quality sports suit and special athletics sneakers, which reduce the load on the joints and protect the baby from the risk of injury. Don’t forget that you should send your child to such sections between the ages of 7-8 and 11 years old - this is the ideal age for both an amateur and a professional start.
It should be noted that the Public Association “Belarusian Athletics Federation” pays great attention to the development of children's sports. Projects such as “School Games” and “300 Talents for the Queen” are being successfully implemented, which represent an unforgettable sports festival filled with a bright palette of emotions and impressions. You can verify this by watching these wonderful image videos:
REPUBLICAN COMPETITIONS AMONG CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN ATHLETICS “SCHOLIADA” (2016)
REPUBLICAN MASS SPORTS EVENT “300 TALENTS FOR THE QUEEN” (2016)
Moreover, “300 talents for the Queen” was developed - an Athletics Academy was created for talented children, finalists of the project.
Vladimir Zhuravlev – athletics coach and teacher:
“The essence of the Academy is to unlock the potential of the children we recruited after the 300 Talents for the Queen event.” Since the children come from different parts of Belarus, they live in the dormitory of the Republican State School of Olympic Reserve. There are 16 people studying in class 5 “A” - here we note that the class is experimental, this project is being implemented for the first year, but it is planned to “put it on stream.” The children undergo a basic school program, plus athletics training - 3 times a week in the arena (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) and 2 times a week in the pool (Thursday, Saturday). During training, which lasts 1.5 hours, we develop all qualities, that is, we follow the all-around program, because harmonious development is necessary in childhood. There is no need to focus on, for example, endurance or strength. We fully develop all qualities as a whole. And in the future, if they go to other trainers, there they will conduct targeted training.
Each training session goes something like this: we leave the hostel, arrive at the RCOP, change clothes, and go to the arena. First we do a warm-up - some game exercises, catch-up exercises, for example. Something moving. Then we run a couple of circles. This is followed by a warm-up for all muscle groups. Then, according to the plan, the main part of the training begins - hurdles, ball throwing, jumping. That is, within one lesson we try to involve work in the main types of athletics for speed, endurance, and strength. Depending on how well the guys do, it may take a different amount of time for each complex. But on average, about 20 minutes per view.
I like working with children. This is interesting. I have motivation - I want them to grow up to be worthy athletes and become Olympic champions and medalists, as well as champions of all kinds of international championships. I am a young specialist, coach. I am not afraid to experiment with different methodological approaches and exercises. I'm very interested in what will come of this. My credo as a coach is to instill a love of athletics.”
Also, the Belarusian Athletics Federation regularly conducts training seminars for physical education teachers and children's coaches under the IAAF KIDS' ATHLETICS program (IAAF Children's Athletics). At the end of the seminar, each participant received a certificate from the International Association of Athletics Federations, granting the right to transfer the knowledge acquired at the seminar in the format of the same two-day seminars, disseminating the IAAF system among their colleagues and children, popularizing it in practice. We adopt the experience of leading member federations of the EAA and IAAF. For example, during one of our visits to the French Athletics Federation, our colleagues shared a set of exercises for children 5-7, 7-9, 9-11 years old. We are happy to offer them to your attention -
Athletics is considered to be the “queen of sports”, despite the fact that it is essentially the simplest and most natural form of physical activity. The child will start doing it even before you take him to the section - he runs, barely learning to walk, climbs the steps or jumps on a trampoline. Is this sport too “simple”, and how useful is it?
Who is athletics suitable for?
Any mother can answer this question; you just have to watch the baby a little. It is suitable for active children who not only run around a lot, but also try to organize their peers, and are clear leaders or ringleaders in all children's pranks.
Activity, but not excessive; athletics is difficult for a hyperactive child, because it requires not only energy, but also concentration and attentiveness. If your child is difficult to discipline, then you should hold off on the section. If you think that athletics can “curb” and “tame” a hyperactive child, you are mistaken.
Hyperactivity is more a psychological trait than a physical one. And if your child has difficulty concentrating, then this sport can make the situation worse. Because during classes the child will experience sports excitement and strong emotions, and this promises even greater overexcitation.
When should classes start?
When a child learns to control his emotions, concentrate his attention and set his first goals. Athletics is not just running or jumping, it is a sport that requires determination and real struggle with an opponent, even if not in the ring.
Experienced coaches note that athletics, despite its simplicity, is not suitable for preschoolers.
“Many parents think that even 4-year-olds can participate in our section, so what’s so difficult about running, for example, a cross-country race? But in fact, such kids waste their and our time in vain; they do not yet understand all the rules of discipline. For example, we spend a lot of time teaching them how to start correctly, some step over the line, others take off ahead of time, and others, on the contrary, cannot react quickly. We can develop this simple skill for about six months, while a first-grader will learn it already in the second or third training,” says the coach of the athletics section at the regional sports school, Oleg Maslov.
So, you can send your child to classes at three years old, but their benefits will be minimal. The most suitable age to start classes is 7-8 years. For a young schoolchild, training will not just be fun, but a serious activity that requires strict adherence to the rules. A first-grader will quickly understand the value of every second on a runner's distance, will start clearly and accelerate before the finish, which is beyond the power of a three-year-old who would be more than happy to simply play with a stopwatch.
Often, potential runners and jumpers are chosen right in physical education class - those guys who show the best results in school competitions are boldly invited to the athletics section. Moreover, it is not too late to “get involved” in such a sport even at the age of 13, when most sections will already refuse to admit a child to classes.
Long jump, running or shot put?
At school physical education lessons, children do a little bit of all types of athletics at once, but if you decide to send your child to a sports school, you will have to choose a specific direction:
- Steeplechase
- Various jumps
- projectile throwing
- All-around
- Relay races
- Race walking
Here you can rely on the child’s opinion. After the first physical education lessons, the child will understand that he can do better. It is worth paying attention to the physical shape of the future athlete, as well as his build.
- Does the young athlete have long legs? Then he has a direct path to becoming a vaulter, especially with a pole.
- Is your baby small and quite slender? Light weight is his key to victory in running disciplines.
- For a child who is strong beyond his years, even if he is slightly overweight, projectile throwing is suitable.
- The kid feels great in a team, constantly strives to take a leadership position, then his sport is relay races.
What are the benefits of athletics?
We will not talk about the fact that this sport is useful for physical development; you yourself understand that the little athlete will be stronger, faster and healthier than his peers. But this sport has additional advantages.
- availability, classes can take place in a regular gym or on a sports ground near a school; no sophisticated equipment is required.
- Finding an experienced trainer is very easy, even a school teacher can become one; high qualifications are not required here, as, say, in boxing.
- Athletes do not have dangerous injuries as often, relative to hand-to-hand combat, alpine skiing or gymnastics, athletics is a completely safe sport.
- good sneakers and tracksuit- that’s all the equipment, the child won’t need an expensive helmet or skates.
Choosing the right shoes for a little athlete is a very responsible task! If he can go to physical education classes in ordinary rag sneakers, then athletics require “professional” shoes. That's what they're called - athletics or running sneakers. The manufacturer does not matter; it is important that the shoes minimize the load on the joints.
Will he become a champion?
Have you ever thought about the victories of the little athlete and imagined him on the podium? Don’t lie, it’s a normal desire of parents to rejoice at their child’s successes. But athletics is not such a spectacular and promising sport as, for example, team games or figure skating. But it also has its advantages: a successful athlete will defend the honor of a school or even a city at competitions, and this guarantees the loyalty of teachers.
Of course, when sending your child to a section, you should think not about medals, but about what this sport will personally give him physically and emotionally. Remember that professional sport, even something as “simple” as athletics, carries a risk of injury and childhood disappointment when defeated. Don’t set your child up to “be the best and the first,” let him play sports for fun, without a race for awards.
Athletics, truly the “queen” of sports disciplines, do you doubt it? Then we invite you to watch a video about the beauty and grace of this sport.
What would suit your baby: running, jumping or something else?
Top 10 unusual sports for children. Part 1
The benefits of athletics for your child
With the start of the school year, mothers of first-graders and older schoolchildren start thinking about sports clubs for their children. Of course, the question immediately arises: where exactly should the child be sent? Try starting with athletics. This sport is the simplest and most natural. Who among us hasn’t run a race in the yard and played tag? Of course, there are children who do not like activity, who quickly become exhausted and sit quietly on the sidelines - activities will be difficult for such people. The desire to overcome obstacles and compete with other children are the main features of a “potential track and field athlete.”
Undoubtedly, at the head of all these qualities - love of running. If your child cannot sit in one place and rushes around you at cosmic speed, athletics will definitely interest him. And the opportunity to record the time it takes him to cover distances, improving his results time after time, will inspire him and give him an incentive to move on. Shuttle running, cross-country, 100-meter dashes, low starts - all this will seem like an exciting game and the training time will fly by.
Athletics is not only running, but also relay races, squats, and long jumps. In general, this is a system of exercises developed by professional trainers for the comprehensive physical development of a child. And in good weather there is a wonderful opportunity to practice outside, which, of course, will further strengthen young athletes.
At the same time, athletics is not only an individual sport, but also a team sport. The need to compete will develop leadership qualities in your child, and participation in relay races and interaction with teammates will teach your child to communicate. Here is the joy of victories, and concern for the participants, and support in case of failure.
You can choose different disciplines:- long and high jumps;
Middle and long distance running;
Steeplechase;
Race walking;
Shot throw.
After just a few lessons, the trainer will tell you what suits your child best. The choice depends on his individual characteristics: build, mentality, interests.
Benefits of Athletics
: low trauma (abrasions and scratches, of course, do not count), as well as relatively low costs for classes. You don’t need any special equipment, the main thing is comfortable clothes and shoes in which the child will be comfortable while practicing. But although the likelihood of injury is small, it is still not completely excluded. As in any other sport, dislocations, bruises, and sprains occur in athletics.
You can bring children to training at any age, starting from nine years old. Before this age, children are still too young for physical activity. Later please! After all, it’s never “too late” in athletics - and at the age of 13-25 you can also achieve good results. If you wish, you yourself can accompany the novice athlete. There's no doubt that going for a run together will benefit both of you.
Prospects in athletics are not the same as, for example, in figure skating, football, hockey and other “fashionable” sports these days. But competitions are often held where the participation of athletes is paid for - and the prizes are guaranteed to be worthy. In addition, athletics will provide participation in cross-country events of various sizes (from regional to city), where your child will represent his school. And in case of good results, he is guaranteed success with teachers.
When sending their child to a sports section, many parents already see the glitter of Olympic gold and broken world records. We must clearly understand that high-performance sports are a big health risk. And getting an injury that will put an end to your career will lead to serious disappointment and will force you to reconsider your life attitudes.
So send your child to sports clubs, first of all, for health, and not for outstanding results. Athletics will be a great start in your child's life. In the process of training, he will acquire good physical shape, good health, agility and endurance.
Svetlana Alekseeva
Athletics
ATHLETICS: A SPORT AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE
Athletics is often called the "queen of sports." Indeed, it is difficult to find a sport that could compete in popularity with athletics, the history of which dates back to the times of Ancient Greece. Athletics was included in the program of the first Olympic Games. And the games themselves at that time consisted mainly of disciplines of this sport. At first, the Olympians competed in a race over a distance of 192 meters (this was the length of the Olympic stadium in Ancient Greece). Later, the program included running in both directions - back and forth. Later, competitions in sports pentathlon and relay races appeared. A mandatory attribute of the relay race was a burning torch, which the participant passed on to the next athlete.
Athletics was also popular in European countries, in particular in Britain. Competitions in high and long jumps, throwing and running were held here already in the 12th century. Most of the championships of that time became the basis for modern athletics disciplines. Interest in athletics flared up with renewed vigor in 1859, when the Olympic Games were revived in Greece. Athletics took center stage in the national championship.
Disciplines
Athletics covers several sporting disciplines. Among them are running at different distances, jumping, projectile throwing, race walking, and marathon. All these types of athletics are united by accessibility: running, throwing and race walking can be practiced at any age.
Health Benefits
The health benefits of athletics are obvious. In the process of regular training or running for health, all muscle groups develop. Proper breathing helps saturate organs and tissues with oxygen, improves blood circulation, which is necessary for the prevention of many diseases. The body is constantly in good shape. Athletics is considered the most accessible sport that can be practiced at any age. Regular training does not require large material costs, since beginner athletes only need the appropriate uniform and shoes in terms of sports equipment and accessories.
Athletics for children
Athletics classes are especially useful for children and teenagers, as they develop endurance, speed, and good reaction. You can start playing athletics at school age – from 9-10 years old. And you can start training at the age of 15 - there are no strict age restrictions in this case. The main thing is that the child’s body is adapted to intense sports loads.
Selecting a discipline
Often parents independently decide for their child what sport to engage in. When choosing athletics disciplines, it is necessary to take into account the opinion of the child himself, as well as some other criteria, for example, a child under 7 years old is unlikely to be able to seriously engage in workout. If a girl or boy is tall and has long legs, then long or high jumps can be considered. It is better for short children to take up middle- or long-distance running, since most champion athletes in this discipline are short and light in weight. In general, in athletics, as in any sport, personal qualities are important. Drive, concentration, willpower and the desire to win will help novice athletes overcome difficulties in any sports discipline.
Text: Bogdan Zorin
Also
- Tennis: from church fun to the favorite of millions
- Weightlifting is a sport for real men
- Summer Olympic sports
- Extreme sports
- Volleyball: a game worth a billion
- Boxing: from fist fights to a sport
- Marathon: test of endurance
- Basketball - promoted by gymnasts
- Swimming: combining business with pleasure
- On a bicycle for excellent well-being
- Football: records and fans
Athletics is called the “queen of sports” for a reason, because other sports are based on the basic training of this crowned person.
Accessibility of athletics for children and parents
Athletics sections for children usually free. This is due to the fact that the state is interested in the continuity of generations of this “medal-winning” sport, because at international athletics competitions Russians are considered favorites.
Besides, for the child to learn athletics, you won’t need to buy expensive sports equipment, specific clothes or shoes.
Athletics began in Ancient Greece, when these competitions were included in the first Olympic Games.
How to Determine Your Child's Athletics Ability
To athletics brought pleasure and achievement, it is required that the child has an inclination for this sport, so observe whether the child has the following components of success:
- Agility, mobility
- Competitiveness, excitement
- Initiative in children's team games
- The ability to lose
- Physical health, strength and agility
Choosing the type of athletics that suits your child
First, the child undergoes basic training, then a choice of specialization is made, which is based on the preferences of the young athlete and his natural characteristics.
When selecting for a particular section, the physical characteristics of the parents are also taken into account, as the genetic basis of the child’s future constitution.
So, for example, a “strong” child or a child prone to obesity will be suitable for putting or throwing a shot or a hammer, and the weight in this case will become an advantage and not a reason for ridicule.
Long-legged, lanky children have an easier time jumping both in length and in height.
Running is suitable for squat, thin-boned, lean children.
Suitable for both individualists, introverted children, and sociable children who are comfortable in a team environment.
At what age should a child be enrolled in the section?
Athletics- not the kind of sport that preschool children are taken to. Here the motto “the sooner the better” does not work. Pediatricians and sports teachers agree that the appropriate age is 10-11 years. At this age, a favorable period begins for the development of speed and endurance of the child’s body, and if you can’t bear to send your baby “somewhere,” consider gymnastics and swimming, and athletics won't go anywhere. Even 15 years is not too late.
The benefits of athletics for children
Develops agility, reaction speed and endurance. The muscles of the body are also trained, blood circulation and gas exchange improve, the body acquires tone, and immunity increases. Athletics prevents colds.
Disadvantages of Athletics
Athletics requires physical activity, and for those who want to achieve sporting achievements, it requires overexertion, so parents are advised to consult with a pediatrician about the child’s health condition. Athletics requires a healthy heart, lungs and musculoskeletal system.
“Occupational” diseases of track and field athletes are considered to be joint diseases, displaced intervertebral discs and dislocations.
Athletics sections for children
Athletics- a voluminous concept. At school, children get “a little bit of everything,” but sports sections offer the following areas:
- Jumping
- Relays and all-around events
- Throwing and pushing
- Race walking
When a “special talent” is discovered, the specialization is narrowed, and trainer teaching a child individually, right up to raising a champion.
A promising sport if you are naturally predisposed to it. This sport is called “medal-winning”, since at the Olympic Games 24 sets of medals are awarded among track and field athletes.
When should classes start?
- Steeplechase
- Various jumps
- projectile throwing
- All-around
- Relay races
- Race walking
- availability
Will he become a champion?
Hip-hop or ballet – which dances to choose for your child? Part 2
Athletics is considered to be the “queen of sports”, despite the fact that it is essentially the simplest and most natural form of physical activity. The child will start doing it even before you take him to the section - he runs, barely learning to walk, climbs the steps or jumps on a trampoline. Is this sport too “simple”, and how useful is it?
Who is athletics suitable for?
Any mother can answer this question; you just have to watch the baby a little. It is suitable for active children who not only run around a lot, but also try to organize their peers, and are clear leaders or ringleaders in all children's pranks.
Activity, but not excessive; athletics is difficult for a hyperactive child, because it requires not only energy, but also concentration and attentiveness. If your child is difficult to discipline, then you should hold off on the section. If you think that athletics can “curb” and “tame” a hyperactive child, you are mistaken.
Hyperactivity is more a psychological trait than a physical one. And if your child has difficulty concentrating, then this sport can make the situation worse. Because during classes the child will experience sports excitement and strong emotions, and this promises even greater overexcitation.
When should classes start?
When a child learns to control his emotions, concentrate his attention and set his first goals. Athletics is not just running or jumping, it is a sport that requires determination and real struggle with an opponent, even if not in the ring.
Experienced coaches note that athletics, despite its simplicity, is not suitable for preschoolers.
“Many parents think that even 4-year-olds can participate in our section, so what’s so difficult about running, for example, a cross-country race? But in fact, such kids waste their and our time in vain; they do not yet understand all the rules of discipline. For example, we spend a lot of time teaching them how to start correctly, some step over the line, others take off ahead of time, and others, on the contrary, cannot react quickly. We can develop this simple skill for about six months, while a first-grader will learn it already in the second or third training,” says the coach of the athletics section at the regional sports school, Oleg Maslov.
So, you can send your child to classes at three years old, but their benefits will be minimal. The most suitable age to start classes is 7-8 years. For a young schoolchild, training will not just be fun, but a serious activity that requires strict adherence to the rules. A first-grader will quickly understand the value of every second on a runner's distance, will start clearly and accelerate before the finish, which is beyond the power of a three-year-old who would be more than happy to simply play with a stopwatch.
Often, potential runners and jumpers are chosen right in physical education class - those guys who show the best results in school competitions are boldly invited to the athletics section. Moreover, it is not too late to “get involved” in such a sport even at the age of 13, when most sections will already refuse to admit a child to classes.
Long jump, running or shot put?
At school physical education lessons, children do a little bit of all types of athletics at once, but if you decide to send your child to a sports school, you will have to choose a specific direction:
- Steeplechase
- Various jumps
- projectile throwing
- All-around
- Relay races
- Race walking
Here you can rely on the child’s opinion. After the first physical education lessons, the child will understand that he can do better. It is worth paying attention to the physical shape of the future athlete, as well as his build.
- Does the young athlete have long legs? Then he has a direct path to becoming a vaulter, especially with a pole.
- Is your baby small and quite slender? Light weight is his key to victory in running disciplines.
- For a child who is strong beyond his years, even if he is slightly overweight, projectile throwing is suitable.
- The kid feels great in a team, constantly strives to take a leadership position, then his sport is relay races.
What are the benefits of athletics?
We will not talk about the fact that this sport is useful for physical development; you yourself understand that the little athlete will be stronger, faster and healthier than his peers. But this sport has additional advantages.
- availability, classes can take place in a regular gym or on a sports ground near a school; no sophisticated equipment is required.
- Finding an experienced trainer is very easy, even a school teacher can become one; high qualifications are not required here, as, say, in boxing.
- Athletes do not have dangerous injuries as often, relative to hand-to-hand combat, alpine skiing or gymnastics, athletics is a completely safe sport.
- good sneakers and tracksuit- that’s all the equipment, the child won’t need an expensive helmet or skates.
Choosing the right shoes for a little athlete is a very responsible task! If he can go to physical education classes in ordinary rag sneakers, then athletics require “professional” shoes. That's what they're called - athletics or running sneakers. The manufacturer does not matter; it is important that the shoes minimize the load on the joints.
Will he become a champion?
Have you ever thought about the victories of the little athlete and imagined him on the podium? Don’t lie, it’s a normal desire of parents to rejoice at their child’s successes. But athletics is not such a spectacular and promising sport as, for example, team games or figure skating. But it also has its advantages: a successful athlete will defend the honor of a school or even a city at competitions, and this guarantees the loyalty of teachers.
Of course, when sending your child to a section, you should think not about medals, but about what this sport will personally give him physically and emotionally. Remember that professional sport, even something as “simple” as athletics, carries a risk of injury and childhood disappointment when defeated. Don’t set your child up to “be the best and the first,” let him play sports for fun, without a race for awards.
Athletics, truly the “queen” of sports disciplines, do you doubt it? Then we invite you to watch a video about the beauty and grace of this sport.
What would suit your baby: running, jumping or something else?
Top 10 unusual sports for children. Part 1
love of running
- long and high jumps;
Steeplechase;
Race walking;
Shot throw.
Benefits of Athletics
Prospects
Svetlana Alekseeva
Athletics
ATHLETICS: A SPORT AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE
Athletics is often called the "queen of sports." Indeed, it is difficult to find a sport that could compete in popularity with athletics, the history of which dates back to the times of Ancient Greece. Athletics was included in the program of the first Olympic Games. And the games themselves at that time consisted mainly of disciplines of this sport. At first, the Olympians competed in a race over a distance of 192 meters (this was the length of the Olympic stadium in Ancient Greece). Later, the program included running in both directions - back and forth. Later, competitions in sports pentathlon and relay races appeared. A mandatory attribute of the relay race was a burning torch, which the participant passed on to the next athlete.
Athletics was also popular in European countries, in particular in Britain. Competitions in high and long jumps, throwing and running were held here already in the 12th century. Most of the championships of that time became the basis for modern athletics disciplines. Interest in athletics flared up with renewed vigor in 1859, when the Olympic Games were revived in Greece. Athletics took center stage in the national championship.
Disciplines
Athletics covers several sporting disciplines. Among them are running at different distances, jumping, projectile throwing, race walking, and marathon. All these types of athletics are united by accessibility: running, throwing and race walking can be practiced at any age.
Health Benefits
The health benefits of athletics are obvious. In the process of regular training or running for health, all muscle groups develop. Proper breathing helps saturate organs and tissues with oxygen, improves blood circulation, which is necessary for the prevention of many diseases. The body is constantly in good shape. Athletics is considered the most accessible sport that can be practiced at any age. Regular training does not require large material costs, since beginner athletes only need the appropriate uniform and shoes in terms of sports equipment and accessories.
Athletics for children
Athletics classes are especially useful for children and teenagers, as they develop endurance, speed, and good reaction. You can start playing athletics at school age – from 9-10 years old. And you can start training at the age of 15 - there are no strict age restrictions in this case. The main thing is that the child’s body is adapted to intense sports loads.
Selecting a discipline
Often parents independently decide for their child what sport to engage in. When choosing athletics disciplines, it is necessary to take into account the opinion of the child himself, as well as some other criteria, for example, a child under 7 years old is unlikely to be able to seriously engage in workout. If a girl or boy is tall and has long legs, then long or high jumps can be considered. It is better for short children to take up middle- or long-distance running, since most champion athletes in this discipline are short and light in weight. In general, in athletics, as in any sport, personal qualities are important. Drive, concentration, willpower and the desire to win will help novice athletes overcome difficulties in any sports discipline.
Text: Bogdan Zorin
Also
- Tennis: from church fun to the favorite of millions
- Weightlifting is a sport for real men
- Summer Olympic sports
- Extreme sports
- Volleyball: a game worth a billion
- Boxing: from fist fights to a sport
- Marathon: test of endurance
- Basketball - promoted by gymnasts
- Swimming: combining business with pleasure
- On a bicycle for excellent well-being
- Football: records and fans
Comment on this material:
The benefits and harms of sports
When considering the benefits of playing sports, we need to talk not only about the benefits for physical health, but also the mental health, for the moral and emotional state of the child.
Let's start by clarifying what kind (or type) of sport we will consider in this article. The fact is that there are two main sports - amateur and professional. Professional sport involves work, very hard work, sometimes exhausting. If we talk about the benefits or harm of professional sports for the health of an athlete, then there is more likely to be more harm, because To achieve the intended results, the athlete experiences very great physical and mental stress, especially when it comes to training before competitions. Even if an athlete has not received more than one injury throughout his entire career, this does not mean that he is healthy; by the time he reaches adulthood, all those stresses received in his youth will have taken their toll. On the other hand, professional athletes, like no one else, are resistant to all kinds of colds, because... have a large supply of immune defense.
Another thing is amateur sports. They do it for fun, to keep in good shape, because it is fashionable. But they don’t earn money; on the contrary, they spend their own, sometimes very significant. Sports are an organic part of a healthy lifestyle, which is now so zealously promoted. In order for sports to truly bring only benefits to your health, you need to choose it in accordance with your capabilities, limitations, and illnesses. Water sports, in particular swimming, are optimal in this regard; it is generally accepted that there is nothing better than swimming for the development of children’s physical health. As for “land” sports, the leadership here belongs to cross-country (athletics) and various team sports. Speaking of harm, we can say that in football, for example, you can easily break a leg, and in basketball a finger. This is a matter of chance, and although the sport is amateur, the zeal is often too professional, as a result of which various injuries occur. When sending your child to martial arts (boxing, wrestling, martial arts, etc.) so that he learns to stand up for himself, you must be prepared for the fact that the child may get a concussion or a broken jaw. On the other hand, he could just as well have earned these injuries just playing on the street.
When considering the benefits of playing sports, we need to talk not only about the benefits for physical health, but also the mental health, for the moral and emotional state of the child. It is a recognized fact that children involved in sports from an early age have well-developed discipline, a sense of responsibility, hard work, and diligence. Of course, all this will not be superfluous for the child.
Extreme sports, which are associated with an increased risk to health and life, stand apart in this topic. Of course, you won’t find small children there, but your child may well get sick, say, with skateboarding, at about 9-10 years old. Here you can meet halfway and buy a beginner extreme sportsman good protection, or you can return a skateboard to a neighbor’s boy. But if he really “got sick” with this, then it’s better to accept everything as it is, especially since there’s nothing wrong with it, and the fact that it’s more dangerous than tennis, well, let it be stronger.
The pros and cons of athletics for children, at what age is it better to start practicing, what medical contraindications exist and how to choose a section - read in our article.
Few people realize, but the child begins to engage in athletics long before the parent takes him to the section: the child overcomes obstacles, climbs onto a ladder, chair or sofa; In the courtyards and during school breaks, enterprising children come up with active fun for themselves - tag, jumping rope, hopscotch. This reflects the simplicity of this sport - it has everything that children like so much. And every parent knows about the benefits of a moderately active lifestyle.
How old are you?
Experienced coaches note that athletics, despite its simplicity, is not suitable for preschoolers. It is recommended to start training when the child can already follow the rules of discipline, knows how to control his emotions and concentrate his attention.
A simple example. It is difficult to teach 4 year old children how to start correctly. Some step over the line, while others take off ahead of time. A lot of time is spent instilling simple skills. Whereas a first grader will learn this in 1 - 2 training sessions.
You can send your child to athletics at the age of 3, but the benefits will be minimal. The optimal age to start playing athletics is 7-8 years old, when the child is already quite disciplined and physically resilient.
Medical contraindications
Athletics for children
You should avoid athletics in cases of heart disease, respiratory disease, kidney disease, and also if you have diabetes mellitus.
Since this sport involves heavy loads on the musculoskeletal system, joints and muscles must be in excellent condition.
It is contraindicated for hyperactive children to engage in athletics. It would be a mistake to think that athletics can discipline an overactive child. In such children, the nervous system is often in a state of excitement. During training, the child will be dominated by emotions and strong excitement, and this can provoke an even greater emotional outburst.
Boys and girls
There is no gender division in athletics. This sport is suitable for all active children, ringleaders and leaders in the company of their peers. Parents just need to watch their child: if he is fast and agile enough, loves to participate in competitions, constantly runs and jumps, he is definitely worth enrolling in athletics.
Pros
Athletics is undeniable good for children's physical health. Thanks to regular exercises, the muscular and skeletal systems are strengthened; strength, agility, speed develops; general endurance to sports loads increases; immunity improves.
In addition to the health benefits, athletics good psychologically: The child learns to set and achieve goals, as well as maintain a positive outlook in the event of failure.
In addition, athletics is accessible sport. Classes can take place either in a specially equipped room or in the fresh air: for example, on the sports ground in the school yard. No complex sports equipment is required.
The right to choose. Perhaps this is the only sport that can boast of diversity. A child can choose any type of athletics he likes: running, high or long jump, throwing, all-around, race walking and much more.
Athletics trains teamwork. At all kinds of relay races, marathons and competitions where the coherence of the participants is important, the child will have the opportunity to practice interpersonal communication with other child athletes.
Cons
Despite all the positive aspects of athletics, parents who decide to connect their child’s life with this sport should be aware of the possible consequences. Common among professional athletes joint diseases, It happens vertebral displacement. Training threatens dislocations, muscle strains, bruises and even fractures. You should be extremely careful during exercise and warm up to avoid adverse consequences.
How much do classes cost?
Athletics for children
Athletics can easily be called the most economical sport. You can do it for free: on the street, on sports and playgrounds. Which, by the way, is an additional advantage - outdoor activities are doubly useful.
Classes at school or at a local children's sports club will not be expensive, unlike other sports sections.
You won’t have to spend a lot on special equipment either. Comfortable sneakers and a tracksuit are all you need. You can keep within 1000 - 2000 rubles.
How to choose a section?
An athletics section can be found at an educational institution (as additional physical education classes), in sports and cultural centers, in sports clubs and in children's leisure centers.
- Choose close to home so as not to waste a lot of time and effort on the road.
- Look for a good coach whose working methods are close to you and comfortable for your child.
- Get feedback from other parents.
Let's sum it up
Athletics is not just a sport aimed at physical development. This is a struggle with oneself and with an opponent, developing in the child qualities that will be useful to him in his future life: determination, willpower, endurance, positive outlook.
When sending your child to sports, you should not think about medals. Remember that professional sports, even something as “simple” as athletics, carry the risk of injury and disappointment if you fail. Don't force your child to be the best of the best. Let him do it for fun, not for reward.
The benefits of athletics for your child
With the start of the school year, mothers of first-graders and older schoolchildren start thinking about sports clubs for their children. Of course, the question immediately arises: where exactly should the child be sent? Try starting with athletics. This sport is the simplest and most natural. Who among us hasn’t run a race in the yard and played tag? Of course, there are children who do not like activity, who quickly become exhausted and sit quietly on the sidelines - activities will be difficult for such people. The desire to overcome obstacles and compete with other children are the main features of a “potential track and field athlete.”
Undoubtedly, at the head of all these qualities - love of running. If your child cannot sit in one place and rushes around you at cosmic speed, athletics will definitely interest him. And the opportunity to record the time it takes him to cover distances, improving his results time after time, will inspire him and give him an incentive to move on. Shuttle running, cross-country, 100-meter dashes, low starts - all this will seem like an exciting game and the training time will fly by.
Athletics is not only running, but also relay races, squats, and long jumps. In general, this is a system of exercises developed by professional trainers for the comprehensive physical development of a child. And in good weather there is a wonderful opportunity to practice outside, which, of course, will further strengthen young athletes.
At the same time, athletics is not only an individual sport, but also a team sport. The need to compete will develop leadership qualities in your child, and participation in relay races and interaction with teammates will teach your child to communicate. Here is the joy of victories, and concern for the participants, and support in case of failure.
You can choose different disciplines:- long and high jumps;
Middle and long distance running;
Steeplechase;
Race walking;
Shot throw.
After just a few lessons, the trainer will tell you what suits your child best. The choice depends on his individual characteristics: build, mentality, interests.
Benefits of Athletics
: low trauma (abrasions and scratches, of course, do not count), as well as relatively low costs for classes. You don’t need any special equipment, the main thing is comfortable clothes and shoes in which the child will be comfortable while practicing. But although the likelihood of injury is small, it is still not completely excluded. As in any other sport, dislocations, bruises, and sprains occur in athletics.
You can bring children to training at any age, starting from nine years old. Before this age, children are still too young for physical activity. Later please! After all, it’s never “too late” in athletics - and at the age of 13-25 you can also achieve good results. If you wish, you yourself can accompany the novice athlete. There's no doubt that going for a run together will benefit both of you.
Prospects in athletics are not the same as, for example, in figure skating, football, hockey and other “fashionable” sports these days. But competitions are often held where the participation of athletes is paid for - and the prizes are guaranteed to be worthy. In addition, athletics will provide participation in cross-country events of various sizes (from regional to city), where your child will represent his school. And in case of good results, he is guaranteed success with teachers.
When sending their child to a sports section, many parents already see the glitter of Olympic gold and broken world records. We must clearly understand that high-performance sports are a big health risk. And getting an injury that will put an end to your career will lead to serious disappointment and will force you to reconsider your life attitudes.
So send your child to sports clubs, first of all, for health, and not for outstanding results. Athletics will be a great start in your child's life. In the process of training, he will acquire good physical shape, good health, agility and endurance.
Svetlana Alekseeva
The ancient Greeks - and it was from their language that the words came to us athletics And gymnastics- Since time immemorial, they knew a lot about sports competitions. Just look at the Olympics - everyone remembers very well that the Hellenes are the founders of these vibrant competitions. Athletics and gymnastics are among the most widespread, accessible and popular sports today. Domestic athletes of this particular “profile” have left a big mark on the history of world sports: just look at the names of Valery Brumel, Larisa Latynina, Nikolai Andrianov, Alexey Nemov and many others.
The children of our city have a chance to write their name in history or simply improve their physical health: specialized sections and studios open their doors for them. Experienced athletes-teachers and leaders are engaged in high-quality training of young athletes and gymnasts, allowing them to develop harmoniously and live up to the saying “A healthy mind in a healthy body.”
Athletics and gymnastics have many advantages: it is a great way to increase physical endurance, flexibility, develop personal qualities, cope with stress and anxiety, gain the will and desire to win. Of course, in order to achieve serious results, the guys need to train hard every day, despite reluctance and fatigue. We must remember that only work combined with abilities and self-confidence will give the desired results.
