Issue 083

December 2011

Many martial arts and combat sports cater for juniors, and with good coaching and an appropriate environment early training can provide significant benefits for youngsters. It’s an excellent way to encourage physical activity, and allows them to ‘rough and tumble’ within a safe controlled environment. 

Rosi Sexton

Pro fighter & sports therapist

Rosi Sexton is a leading professional fighter, sports therapist and registered osteopath. 

Obviously, there need to be safeguards in place when teaching any martial art to children. There are two main concerns. One is the physical safety of the children. Although kids are naturally resilient, they are still growing and it’s important to avoid excessive stress on their joints. In martial arts that involve strikes, the level of contact should be appropriate to the age group, and head contact especially should be kept to a minimum. 

The other question that often comes up is whether children are mature enough to learn martial arts techniques without misusing them. Many parents are keen for their children to learn martial arts to develop their confidence and avoid being bullied but are afraid that their son or daughter might – if confronted – hurt someone badly. In the worst case, a child could use combat sports training in order to bully others. 

For this reason, any martial arts training for children should go hand-in-hand with a focus on control and self discipline, and at least some basic teaching about how to deal with confrontation. Respect and concern for others must be emphasized and an integral part of the training environment. 

Grappling sports such as judo and wrestling place the emphasis for juniors on relatively safe techniques and positional control rather than striking, making them an excellent choice for younger children. These arts also provide a great base from which youngsters can develop their MMA skills as they get older. 

“I have an eight-year-old son who loves mixed martial arts and wants to start training. How should I go about looking for a good club for him to train at, and what qualifications and background checks are there for coaches who work with children?” 

Unfortunately, there are no generally accepted qualifications for MMA coaches, and there is no individual recognized governing body. Judo, wrestling and amateur boxing are all sports that have recognized coaching qualifications and junior programs in place. 

There are also many excellent grappling, BJJ or MMA clubs out there that teach juniors, but the lack of regulation makes it more difficult for parents to make certain their children are in safe hands. 

Many martial arts and combat sports cater for juniors, and with good coaching and an appropriate environment early training can provide significant benefits for youngsters. It’s an excellent way to encourage physical activity, and allows them to ‘rough and tumble’ within a safe controlled environment. 

Obviously, there need to be safeguards in place when teaching any martial art to children. There are two main concerns. One is the physical safety of the children. Although kids are naturally resilient, they are still growing and it’s important to avoid excessive stress on their joints. In martial arts that involve strikes, the level of contact should be appropriate to the age group, and head contact especially should be kept to a minimum. 

The other question that often comes up is whether children are mature enough to learn martial arts techniques without misusing them. Many parents are keen for their children to learn martial arts to develop their confidence and avoid being bullied but are afraid that their son or daughter might – if confronted – hurt someone badly. In the worst case, a child could use combat sports training in order to bully others. 

For this reason, any martial arts training for children should go hand-in-hand with a focus on control and self discipline, and at least some basic teaching about how to deal with confrontation. Respect and concern for others must be emphasized and an integral part of the training environment. 

Grappling sports such as judo and wrestling place the emphasis for juniors on relatively safe techniques and positional control rather than striking, making them an excellent choice for younger children. These arts also provide a great base from which youngsters can develop their MMA skills as they get older. 

“I have an eight-year-old son who loves mixed martial arts and wants to start training. How should I go about looking for a good club for him to train at, and what qualifications and background checks are there for coaches who work with children?” 

Unfortunately, there are no generally accepted qualifications for MMA coaches, and there is no individual recognized governing body. Judo, wrestling and amateur boxing are all sports that have recognized coaching qualifications and junior programs in place. 

There are also many excellent grappling, BJJ or MMA clubs out there that teach juniors, but the lack of regulation makes it more difficult for parents to make certain their children are in safe hands. 

Check List

Here are some things to check beforehand. Don’t be afraid to ask the instructor/coach about his or her background, experience and approach to teaching children. A good coach will welcome questions and be happy to discuss any concerns you may have. If in doubt, it’s often possible to check the reputation of the coach or club with other parents, people in the local area or the MMA community.  

Are parents allowed or encouraged to watch training sessions? Do the coaches welcome questions from the parents? 

Is it a friendly environment that encourages the kids to develop self-control and respect for others? Does your child feel comfortable in that environment? 

What techniques are being taught, and are they appropriate for your child’s age and level of maturity? 

What is the club’s policy with regard to sparring? What level of contact is used, and do the kids wear appropriate protective equipment? Is there appropriate supervision and safeguards in place to reduce the risk of injury? 

Is there a qualified first-aider and first-aid kit present at all.times? 

Does the club have a child protection policy in place? 

Are the coach and any assistants able to provide references and evidence regarding any criminal record on request?

Does the club have appropriate instructor liability and member-to-member insurance? 

Is the coach aware of any medical conditions or special needs requirements that your child may have? 

Above all, trust your own instincts. If a particular club doesn’t feel right for your child, you have concerns about the coach, or you don’t like the environment then look elsewhere. The majority of coaches working with children are safe and responsible, but unfortunately there is no guarantee of this, even if someone appears to be able to tick the right boxes and produce the right paperwork.