MMA for kids? Appropriate?

Question

I saw a show on ESPN last weekend (outside the lines, I think) about how mixed martial arts clubs are starting up for kids. Some of these kids were in middle school and younger. I'm a high school teacher and some of my students are boxers. That doesn't bother me, but watching these little kids in the MMA matches did. I don't think I'd let my kids do either one, but....

Where do you stand?

Answer 1

I would say that the kids would be better choosing one art to start with, then move on to the next.  ALL of the MMA arts may make them good MMA fighters, but the won't necessarily be living the values of a specific martial art.

Answer 2

i'm not for it.  do mma when your in highschool

Answer 3

mma is not a bad sport it good to let kids do it they may need to know how to protect them self i`m a huge hardcore mma fan i do wrestling,bjj,boxing at my school we have little kids 5 an up doing it a good sport to learn i would let my kids do it if i had any ahahaha.

Answer 4

As far as the boxing vs MMA, which is safer question you are right boxing has been around longer, so you have to take the last 20 years into account.  Just reviewing the last 20 years you have one death in an unsanctioned match in MMA in Russia, and one death from a MMA related injury where the fighter died several days later in the Hospital, so two recorded deaths in twenty years, boxing has averaged 10 deaths per year since 1920(a little bit of research and you will find these #'s if you want sources)  Mind you Boxing has had 100 years to refine techniques and rules to make the sport safer, and still average 10 per year where rules to keep fighters safe in MMA have only been implemented the last 10 years and still comes out safer.

HS Football and wrestling have even a higher rate of injury.  As one of the answers above stated you have to be a responsible parent and make sure that the Teachers, Trainers, Ref's, and staff are professional and understand what is going on.  If I saw a 16 year old kid reffing my sons fight i would have a problem with that, I don't trust a teenagers judgement and at my academy we take the youth classes as serious as doing your taxes.

Let me ask you this, why is it when a kid throws on a Gi and goes to Karate is the fighting OK, but when its two kids in board shorts and a t-shirt it seems so much more dangerous to the untrained eye??

Answer 5

OLD SCHOOL, MMA has like 30 rules what are talking about.

Answer 6

i think it depends on the age and how much contact they use in sparring. but i dont think sparring with contact is really appropriate under 10.

Answer 7

I'm 15 and I've been taking martial arts since I was 5. I think I've turned out to be a pretty god person. I don't do drugs (never will), I have strong feelings about obeying the law, and I try to be respectful and polite. Although my not doing drugs and feelings for the law are probably from being an explorer with a Metro Atlanta Police Dept. I think martial arts has made me a better and stronger person who doesn't take c**p from anyone. lol. Very rarely do I get in fights as I always try to walk away, but should the situation arise where I have to defend myself I have no problems doing so what so ever.

Answer 8

I agree with the first response. It is important to learn the Fundamentals and work long and hard from the true teachers/sensei(s)

Answer 9

Boxing is more dangerous then MMA! Sure you could teach them to defend themselves. Watch this video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlYD-j9GS...

EDIT: In MMA you aren't restricted to rules in fighting. That is what makes fighting dangerous is when your restricted to do things to defend yourself. MMA is changing and it will have fatalities. MMA has rules but boxing is like taking punches instead of defending them.

Answer 10

i think it would be great to get kids off the tube or get their heads out of the game console. MMA although portrayed as a violent sport teaches alot about respect. Teaches about body control and emotional control, so if anything the kids should join to learn about themselves, the sport should be second.

Answer 11

I was seriously about to post this same question.

I think that children, should be able to LEARN mixed martial arts, but not compete in it. Teenages, ages from 13-17, should be able to compete but in a very watered down version. I've watched matches on youtube and some referees are just teenages/amateur fighters themselves. Referees should be trained professionals and make sure all rules are obeyed.