Martial art is for defence, respect, and discipline, as opposed to common beliefs of fighting, contempt, and impertinence.
Looking at villains in most Kung Fu or martial arts movies, parents dread the impact of learning mixed martial arts on their kids and somewhere, these worries are justified too. However, it all comes down to the kind of trainer you entrust your kid to. Is it Mr Han? Or is it Master Li?
Knowing what this reference pertains to is quite evident if you've seen the Karate Kid. If not, keep reading our brief guide and see what's our take on this debate.
Is MMA Safe For Kids?
Martial arts train the mind and body and teach values. Many people realise this as various UFC and mixed martial arts gyms, and training centres are opening up. When violence is at its peak, schools are acknowledging their importance in cultivating the habit of discipline and self-defence among younger kids.
However, that doesn't burn out the fact that parents are worried if their kids will turn into notorious bullies if they learn or train in MMA, BJJ, Muay Thai, etc. As fatalities and incidents of serious injuries incurred during combat sports like MMA find their way into the news headlines, we'd say these worries are justified.
However, you shouldn't let these incidents rule your better judgement. Do you really think your kids would be undergoing a UFC-level match with no proper headgear or shin pads? When kids are taught MMA by a reputable training centre and an experienced trainer, they are taught several rules and training or even sparring in a controlled environment.
If taught correctly, MMA instils crucial self-defence skills, motor skills, discipline, respect, etc., in kids, and foremost, it keeps them healthy. Although some would say - "even football keeps kids healthy!" Can football teach your kids to defend themselves and others in moments of an adversary?
If people keep focusing on one aspect, i.e., MMA makes future bullies and offenders, you should know that they could become victims if left untaught. Victims of those who grew up in an unprotected environment. So, stop asking the wrong questions and rephrase them to - “How safe is MMA for my kids?”
Benefits Of MMA For Kids
If you’ve chosen the right MMA club for your kids, then know that the benefits of teaching this sport are multi-faceted. It won’t just protect them from an adversary but make them righteous, disciplined, and the model citizens everyone looks up to. It prepares them for the grind that life will throw in their face later on, which is far deadlier than one punch thrown by an opponent.
MMA teaches kids to be strong in a pinch, patient in a pickle, virtuous in character, and accept everything that comes with a determined soul. A reputable MMA academy will teach the true essence of traditional values and their importance to your kids. We have mentioned some of the real benefits of MMA for kids below, which can halt your earlier prejudices about the sport.
1. Self Defence
Physical and mental self-defence is vital today, where even small kids suffer from depression, school bullying, and other evils. It eats their vitality and makes their adventure-craving souls hollow, and once they reach adulthood, all that’s left is flesh, bones and great resentment. This resentment is like a vicious loop that leads their life into a dark abyss where the last question is always - “where did it all go wrong?” Therefore, to ensure this doesn’t become the life story of your kid, teaching self-defence is important, and fortunately, MMA is all about defence, respect, and growth. It teaches kids not to shy away from obstacles/rivals and live life head-on, and this immensely helps them later in life.
2. Physical Fitness And Improved Cognition
Kids nowadays spend a lot of time eating unhealthy junk food and playing video games or simply scrolling through mobiles. This isn’t only unhealthy and renders their minds useless when they could be doing so much more, like learning MMA. MMA engages the whole body and mind, making your kids physically fit and mentally sharp.
3. Important Morals And Life Values
MMA is all about rules, guidelines, and respecting the opponent. As such, a professional trainer teaches kids the respectful structure of the sport with morals and essential life skills. MMA encompasses everything from teaching them about outgrowing their fear to respectfully engaging with opponents.
Let Your Kid Enjoy The Journey of Becoming an MMA Fighter
MMA is safe for kids if you enrol them in a professionally run club with experienced traditional martial arts trainers. If the trainers are experienced in this sport, they’d know the value of rules and how to abide them. Kids can be taught MMA techniques and allowed to practice them, but they cannot compete until they are 16 or 17. It is up to the student to make his or her own decision when he or she turns 18. The sparring or grappling (rolling) of kids should be controlled very closely by an experienced instructor. There should be strict safety precautions in any type of practice or competition. So, you can rest assured that your kids will not only learn something important while training in MMA but will also be safe as due safety gears are worn. Plus, everything is taught in a controlled atmosphere, so you need not worry about anything. Before you leave, make sure you check our wide selection of kids MMA apparel and accessories! That’s all, see you in the next guide!