Youth Kickboxing Basic Fighting Styles

When it comes to youth kickboxing and teen mixed martial arts, most fighting techniques that are used by adult fighters are great places to start in a developing career in martial arts. While some kids train in only wrestling, karate or boxing, it is important to incorporate cross training if you want to become a mixed martial arts fighter. Most youth kick boxers are proficient in not only boxing but also wrestling of jui jitsu. It is very important to not only have a striking style but to also be able to handle the basic of groundfighting.

Different Fighting Styles In Youth MMA For the Ground Game

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art style that focuses on grappling and ground fighting. It promotes the belief that a smaller, weaker person can successfully fight and defend themselves against a bigger, stronger attacker by using leverage and proper techniques like applying joint-locks and chokeholds to overcome them.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or BJJ started to come into international prominence with the martial arts community in the 1990s, when BJJ expert and mixed martial arts fighter Royce Gracie won the first, second and fourth Ultimate Fighting Championships.

Across the country, youth kickboxing classes are now offering lessons in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Amateur Wrestling

Amateur wrestling is the most widespread form of sport wrestling in the world. Most high schools offer this sport and it is a good way to get your child free training in the fundamental of groundfigthing.  There are two types of amateur wrestling: Greco-roman and freestyle. In Greco-roman style of wrestling it is forbidden to attack below the waist. As a result, throws are encouraged as the wrestler cannot avoid being thrown by simply hooking or grabbing his opponent’s leg.  With freestyle wrestling you are allowed the use of the wrestler’s or his opponent’s legs in offense and defense.

No-Gi Jiu Jitsu

No-Gi Jiu Jitsu, or submission wrestling, is one of the most effective ways to win a match in mixed martial arts competitions. Some youth kickboxing or teen mixed martial arts competitions only allow submission fighting in the last round of a bout. For those successful with style of MMA fighting, it can make the difference in winning in the important but sometimes over looked ground game.

In the field of mixed martial arts, the groundfighting is just as important as having a successful striking strategy. Many a fighter has lost a match because his ground and pound style was inferior to his opponents even though he had a vastly superior striking style.

Youth Kickboxing Training Video

In today’s growing MMA sport, there is a huge influence on youth kickboxers to become the next great generation of mixed martial arts masters.

There are more youth kickboxing classes starting up everyday.

Within the next few years, you should be able to youth kickboxing classes in your area as  more clubs and compettions grow. The most popular places for this new sport are Hawaii and California.

Maybe someday, we’ll see your young MMA fighter in the Octogan.

If you are starting out in youth kickboxing you will first be introduced to the basic techniques, including the correct postures and stances and how to kick and punch. You’ll need to repeat these techniques as drills during each class. Also, you will be required to strength train and practice your techniques using kick pads and mitts. Once you have mastered the first level of kick boxing, you will be taught more advanced techniques including holds, grappling and sparring techniques. You will also practice controlled sparring with your classmates. Students have to aim for power, speed and perfecting their moves. There are no belt levels in Youth kickboxing. The roundhouse kick is probably the most used method. You can kick your opponent’s head, body or legs.

Unlike many other martial arts, in kickboxing you are allowed to strike below the belt, at your opponent’s legs. The most disabling kick is the low kick, which is aimed at the thigh, calf or back of the knee. A body kick should be used when your opponent is not guarding his or her chest. Head kicks leave you in a vulnerable unstable position because your lower body is open to your opponent. However, if properly executed, these are powerful kicks. The thrust kick is used in both attack and defense situations. Rather than kicking your opponent, you basically push him or her backwards with your foot. This can cause your opponent to lose balance. Although you can target the body and face with a punch, most kick boxers punch the face, favoring other modes of attack to the body, like the knee.

As with boxing, punching techniques include jabs, hooks (from the side) and upper cuts (from below). Students are taught to relax their fists and clench them tightly only when executing a punch. Elbow and Knee Moves The use of the elbow and knee in youth kickboxing makes this sport stand out from many of the other martial arts. You can use your elbow to attack, as a cut or hook, targeting the opponent’s chin or nose. The knee thrust attack targets the body. It is a very powerful and effective strike when opponents are close together. Students are taught to hold their foot pointing upwards when they execute a knee attack so that they can readily turn the move into a thrust kick. Both knee and body kicks score highly in competition fighting.

One of the best defense techniques is to keep your elbows well tucked in to stop your opponent from landing a kick to your mid-section. If your opponent aims a kick to your body, use the arm at whichever side the kick is aimed at to deflect the kick. To avoid a head kick, move in closer to your opponent. In that way, the kick will not land on its target as you will be too close. The leg check is used to block lower kicks. To do a leg check, lift your front leg with the knee bent so that you can check the kick with your shin as it lands.

With youth MMA, there is the added element of grappling and wrestling but is usually limited to round specific activity.

In May, during UFC 98, Loyoto Machida became the light heavyweight champion with an undefeated professional record of 15-0 as he scored a knock out against Rashad Evans.

Listed as the number 1 MMA light heavywieght fighter and number 4 pound for pound in the world, this 30 year old’s elusive fighting style will keep him a champion for a long time. Combining a history of karate, jiu jitsu, and wrestling, there is nothing this tough competitor will not throw at you in the octagon.

In the world of youth MMA, Nainoa Dung is the benchmark that others want to acheive. Nicknnamed the “babyface assassin” this young mixed martial arts master might become the first youth to unify the belts inhis division.

Already, this young kickboxer has fought in several competitions and it is predicted that by the age of twenty, with his current discipline and training, the Nainoa Dung could become the best pound-for-pound MMA fighter in the world.

Nianoa Dung left us this new link for his training. I have added to this section.

This fight between Hong-Man Choi and Jose Conseco was as predictable as they could come. I hope it was worth the beat down to your self esteem, Jose.

The Dream 9 Super Hulk Tournament will go on now with out the media circus clown and could turn out to be a really good event for the MMA world.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is unregulated and uncontrolled.
Mixed Martial Arts is one of the most regulated and controlled sports in the world. With imposed time limits, set numbers of rounds, mandatory judges, five weight classes and over 31 other rules governing how the bouts are fought, organizations strive for the highest safety standards. The UFC, the biggest of the organizations, only holds bouts in states where the sport is regulated . MMA is recognized by the world’s most prestigious sports regulatory bodies including the California, Florida, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania State Athletic Commissions.

MMA is dangerous and its fighters are put at a serious risk of injury each time they enter the Octagon.
MMA fighters are given more care and precaution than athletes in any other sports organization in the world. With supervised fights, pre and post-fight MRIs, four ringside doctors and two ambulances in case of emergency at each event and mandatory steroid testing – these organizations reach the highest levels of safety and quality in all aspects of the sport. Safer than boxing, no organization fighter has ever suffered a serious injury or death.

MMA is a steel cage death match.
MMA is an intense, strategic sport that demands world class athleticism from its fighters. The athletes use interdisciplinary forms of fighting that include jiu-jitsu, judo, karate, boxing, kickboxing, wrestling and others to their strategic and tactical advantage in supervised matches.

Mixed martial artists are nothing more than street fighters.
Mixed martial artists are some of the best athletes in the world. Before taking up MMA many of the athletes were college All-American’s and Olympic champions. To stay competitive, all of the athletes are trained in a variety of martial arts disciplines including judo, wrestling, boxing, karate and jujitsu. UFC, the biggest MMA organization, boasts that a significant majority of their fighters have college degrees.

MMA has only one rule, prohibiting eye gouging.
MMA is governed under the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts which were created by the most prestigious state sports regulating bodies in the United States. In addition to the five weight classes, the imposed time limits, and set number of rounds, there are 31 other rules that govern how the sport is played. In fact, most of the rules are derived from the rules governing Olympic wrestling, boxing and martial arts.

MMA is much more harmful than other fighting sports like boxing.
MMA is much safer than boxing. Since its inception in the United States there have been no serious injuries or deaths in any of the major, sanctioned MMA organizations. Unlike boxing, in which fighters sustain repeated blows to the head for up to 15 rounds, MMA bouts last only 3-5 rounds and much of the fighting takes place on the mat as wrestling or grappling. In addition, unlike boxing gloves, MMA gloves are not weighted.

MMA is a fringe sport that appeals only to young men.
In the past five years, MMA has seen a meteoric rise in interest from nearly every age and demographic, adding to its cache as a mainstream sport. UFC nearly always sells out arenas where their events are held, and regularly breaks gate records across the country. Additionally, UFC’s reality show, the Ultimate Fighter often beats the ratings of NBA and baseball playoffs. Mainstream sponsors and partners are eager to form relationships with MMA, including Viacom, Showtime, Harley-Davidson, Bud Light, the U.S. Army and all the major cable companies.

Mixed Martial Arts Unified Rules

Weight Classes of Mixed Martial Artists

1. Mixed martial artists shall be divided into the following classes:
   1. Flyweight – Under 125.9 lbs
   2. Bantamweight – 126 to 134.9 lbs
   3. Featherweight – 135 to 144.9 lbs
   4. Lightweight – 145 to 154.9 lbs
   5. Welterweight – 155 to 169.9 lbs
   6. Middleweight – 170 to 184.9 lbs
   7. Light Heavyweight – 185 to 204.9 lbs
   8. Heavyweight – 204 to 264.9 lbs
   9. Super Heavyweight – Over 265 lbs

Fighting Area

1. The fighting area canvas shall be no smaller than 18 feet by 18 feet and no larger than 32 feet by 32 feet. The fighting area canvas shall be padded in a manner as approved by the Commissioner, with at least one inch layer of foam padding. Padding shall extend beyond the fighting area and over the edge of the platform. No vinyl or other plastic rubberized covering shall be permitted.
2. The fighting area canvas shall not be more than four feet above the floor of the building and shall have suitable steps or ramp for use by the participants. Posts shall be made of metal not more than six inches in diameter, extending from the floor of the building to a minimum height of 58 inches above the fighting area canvas and shall be properly padded in a manner approved by the Commissioner.
3. The fighting area canvas area shall be enclosed by a fence made of such material as will not allow a fighter to fall out or break through it onto the floor or spectators, including, but not limited to, vinyl coated chain link fencing. All metal parts shall be covered and padded in a manner approved by the Commissioner and shall not be abrasive to the fighters.
4. The fence shall provide two separate entries onto the fighting area canvas.

Stools

1. A ring stool of a type approved by the Commissioner shall be available for each fighter.
2. An appropriate number of stools or chairs, of a type approved by the Commissioner, shall be available for each fighter’s seconds. Such stools or chairs shall be located near each fighter’s corner.
3. All stools and chairs used must be thoroughly cleaned or replaced after the conclusion of each fight.

Equipment

• For each fight, the promoter shall provide a clean water bucket and a clean plastic water bottle in each corner.

Specifications for Bandages on Mixed Martial Artist’s Hands

1. In all weight classes, the bandages on each fighter’s hand shall be restricted to soft gauze cloth not more than 13 yards in length and two inches in width, held in place by not more than 10 feet of surgeon’s tape, one inch in width, for each hand.
2. Surgeon’s adhesive tape shall be placed directly on each hand for protection near the wrist. The tape may cross the back of the hand twice and extend to cover and protect the knuckles when the hand is clenched to make a fist.
3. The bandages shall be evenly distributed across the hand.
4. Bandages and tape shall be placed on the fighter’s hands in the dressing room in the presence of the inspector and in the presence of the manager or chief second of his or her opponent.
5. Under no circumstances are gloves to be placed on the hands of a fighter until the approval of the inspector is received.

Mouth Pieces

1. All fighters are required to wear a mouthpiece during competition. The mouthpiece shall be subject to examination and approval by the attending physician.
2. The round cannot begin without the mouthpiece in place.
3. If the mouthpiece is involuntarily dislodged during competition, the referee shall call time, clean the mouthpiece and reinsert the mouthpiece at the first opportune moment, without interfering with the immediate action.

Protective Equipment

1. Male mixed martial artists shall wear a groin protector of their own selection, of a type approved by the Commissioner.
2. Female mixed martial artists are prohibited from wearing groin protectors.
3. Female mixed martial artists shall wear a chest protector during competition. The chest protector shall be subject to approval of the Commissioner.

Gloves

1. The gloves shall be new for all main events and in good condition or they must be replaced.
2. All fighters shall wear either four, five or six ounce gloves, supplied by the promoter and approved by the commission. No fighter shall supply their own gloves for participation.

Apparel

1. Each fighter shall wear mixed martial arts shorts, biking shorts, or kick-boxing shorts.
2. Gi’s or shirts are prohibited during competition.
3. Shoes are prohibited during competition.

Appearance

1. All fighters shall be cleanly shaven immediately prior to competition, except that a fighter may wear a closely cropped mustache.
2. Hair shall be trimmed or tied back in such a manner as not to interfere with the vision of either fighter or cover any part of a fighter’s face.
3. Jewelry or piercing accessories are prohibited during competition.

Round Length

1. Each non-championship mixed martial arts fight shall be three rounds, of five minutes duration, with a one minute rest period between each round.
2. Each championship mixed martial arts fight shall be five rounds, of five minutes duration, with a one minute rest period between each round.

Stopping a Contest

• The referee and ringside physician are the sole arbiters of a fight and are the only individuals authorized to enter the fighting area at any time during competition and authorized to stop a fight.

Judging

1. All fights will be evaluated and scored by three judges.
2. The 10-Point Must System will be the standard system of scoring a fight. Under the 10-Point Must Scoring System, 10 points must be awarded to the winner of the round and nine points or less must be awarded to the loser, except for a rare even round, which is scored (10-10).
3. Judges shall evaluate mixed martial arts techniques, such as effective striking, effective grappling, control of the fighting area, effective aggressiveness and defense.
4. Evaluations shall be made in the order in which the techniques appear above, giving the most weight in scoring to effective striking, effective grappling, control of the fighting area and effective aggressiveness and defense.
5. Effective striking is judged by determining the total number of legal heavy strikes landed by a fighter.
6. Effective grappling is judged by considering the amount of successful executions of a legal takedown and reversals. Examples of factors to consider are take downs from standing position to mount position, passing the guard to mount position, and bottom position fighters using an active, threatening guard.
7. Fighting area control is judged by determining who is dictating the pace, location and position of the fight. Examples of factors to consider are countering a grappler’s attempt at takedown by remaining standing and legally striking ; taking down an opponent to force a ground fight; creating threatening submission attempts, passing the guard to achieve mount, and creating striking opportunities.
8. Effective aggressiveness means moving forward and landing a legal strike.
9. Effective defense means avoiding being struck, taken down or reversed while countering with offensive attacks.
10. The following objective scoring criteria shall be utilized by the judges when scoring a round;
    1. A round is to be scored as a 10-10 Round when both fighters appear to be fighting evenly and neither fighter shows clear dominance in a round;
    2. A round is to be scored as a 10-9 Round when a fighter wins by a close margin, landing the greater number of effective legal strikes, grappling and other maneuvers;
    3. A round is to be scored as a 10-8 Round when a fighter overwhelmingly dominates by striking or grappling in a round.
    4. A round is to be scored as a 10-7 Round when a fighter totally dominates by striking or grappling in a round.
11. Judges shall use a sliding scale and recognize the length of time the fighters are either standing or on the ground, as follows:
    1. If the mixed martial artists spent a majority of a round on the canvas, then:
       1. effective grappling is weighed first; and
       2. effective striking is then weighed.
    2. If the mixed martial artists spent a majority of a round standing, then:
       1. effective striking is weighed first; and
       2. effective grappling is then weighed.
    3. If a round ends with a relatively even amount of standing and canvas fighting, striking and grappling are weighed equally.

Warnings

1. The referee shall issue a single warning for the following infractions. After the initial warning, if the prohibited conduct persists, a penalty will be issued. The penalty may result in a deduction of points or disqualification.
   1. Holding or grabbing the fence;
   2. Holding opponent’s shorts or gloves; or
   3. The presence of more than one second on the fighting area perimeter.

Fouls

1. The following are fouls and will result in penalties if committed:
   1. Butting with the head
   2. Eye gouging of any kind
   3. Biting or spitting at an opponent
   4. Hair pulling
   5. Fish hooking
   6. Groin attacks of any kind
   7. Intentionally placing a finger in any opponent’s orifice
   8. Downward pointing of elbow strikes
   9. Small joint manipulation
   10. Strikes to the spine or back of the head
   11. Heel kicks to the kidney
   12. Throat strikes of any kind
   13. Clawing, pinching, twisting the flesh or grabbing the clavicle
   14. Kicking the head of a grounded fighter
   15. Kneeing the head of a grounded fighter
   16. Stomping of a grounded fighter
   17. The use of abusive language in fighting area
   18. Any unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to opponent
   19. Attacking an opponent on or during the break
   20. Attacking an opponent who is under the referee’s care at the time
   21. Timidity (avoiding contact, or consistent dropping of mouthpiece, or faking an injury)
   22. Interference from a mixed martial artists seconds
   23. Throwing an opponent out of the fighting area
   24. Flagrant disregard of the referee’s instructions
   25. Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his or her head or neck.
2. Disqualification occurs after any combination of three or the fouls listed in (a) above or after a referee determines that a foul was intentional and flagrant.
3. Fouls will result in a point being deducted by the official scorekeeper from the offending mixed martial artist’s score.
4. Only a referee can assess a foul. If the referee does not call the foul, judges shall not make that assessment on their own and cannot factor such into their scoring calculations.
5. A fouled fighter has up to five minutes to recuperate.
6. If a foul is committed, the referee shall:
   1. call time
   2. check the fouled mixed martial artist’s condition and safety; and
   3. assess the foul to the offending fighter, deduct points, and notify each corner’s seconds, judges and the official scorekeeper.
7. If a bottom fighter commits a foul, unless the top fighter is injured, the fight shall continue, so as not to jeopardize the top fighter’s superior positioning at the time.
   1. The referee shall verbally notify the bottom fighter of the foul.
   2. When the round is over, the referee shall assess the foul and notify both corners’ seconds, the judges and the official scorekeeper.
   3. The referee may terminate a fight based on the severity of a foul. For such a flagrant foul, a fighter shall lose by disqualification.

Injuries Sustained During Competition

1. If an injury sustained during the fight is a result of a legal maneuver is severe enough to terminate a fight, the injured fighter loses by technical knockout.
2. If an injury sustained during the fight is a result of an intentional foul is severe enough to terminate a fight, the fighter causing the injury loses by disqualification.
3. If an injury is sustained during the fight is a result of an intentional foul and the fight is allowed to continue, the referee shall notify the scorekeeper to automatically deduct two points from the fighter who committed the foul.
4. If an injury sustained during the fight is a result of an intentional foul causes the injured fighter to be unable to continue at a subsequent point in the fight, the injured fighter shall win by technical decision, if he or she is ahead on the score cards. If the injured fighter is even or behind on the score cards at the time of stoppage, the outcome of the fight shall be declared a technical draw.
5. If a fighter injures himself or herself while attempting to foul his or her opponent, the referee shall not take any action in his or her favor, and the injury shall be treated in the same manner as an injury produced by a fair blow.
6. If an injury sustained during the fight is a result of an accidental foul is severe enough for the referee to stop the fight immediately, the fight shall result in a no fight if stopped before two rounds have been completed in a three round fight or if stopped before three rounds have been completed in a five round fight.
7. If an injury sustained during the fight is a result of an accidental foul is severe enough for the referee to stop the fight immediately, the fight shall result in a technical decision awarded to the fighter who is ahead on the score cards at the time the fight is stopped only when the fight is stopped after two rounds of a three round fight, or three rounds of a five round fight have been completed.
8. There will be no scoring of an incomplete round. However, if the referee penalizes either fighter, then the appropriate points shall be deducted when the scorekeeper calculates the final score.

Types of Bout Results

1. The following are the types of bout results:
   1. Submission by:
      1. Tap Out:When a fighter physically uses his hand to indicate that he or she no longer wishes to continue; or
      2. Verbal tap out:When a fighter verbally announces to the referee that he or she does not wish to continue;
   2. Technical knockout by:
      1. Referee stops fight;
      2. Ringside physician stops fight; or
      3. When an injury as a result of a legal maneuver is severe enough to terminate a fight;
   3. Knockout by failure to rise from the canvas;
   4. Decision via score cards:
      1. Unanimous: When all three judges score the fight for the same fighter;
      2. Split Decision: When two judges score the fight for one fighter and one judge scores for the opponent; or
      3. Majority Decision: When two judges score the fight for the same fighter and one judge scores a draw;
   5. Draws:
      1. Unanimous: When all three judges score the fight a draw;
      2. Majority: When two judges score the fight a draw; or
      3. Split: When all three judges score differently and the score total results in a draw;
   6. Disqualification: When an injury sustained during the fight is a result of an intentional foul is severe enough to terminate the fight;
   7. Forfeit: When a fighter fails to begin competition or prematurely ends the fight for reasons other than injury or by indicating a tap out;
   8. Technical Draw: When an injury sustained during the fight is a result of an intentional foul causes the injured fighter to be unable to continue and the injured fighter is even or behind on the score cards at the time of stoppage;
   9. Technical Decision: When the fight is prematurely stopped due to injury and a fighter is leading on the score cards; and
   10. No Contest: When a fight is prematurely stopped due to accidental injury and a sufficient number of rounds have not been completed to render a decision via the score cards.

“Mixed Martial Arts Unified Rules of Conduct.” state.nj.us. New Jersey State Athletic Control Board. January 2007
<http://www.state.nj.us/lps/sacb/docs/martial.html>

Note: Each MMA organization determines its own rules and some of them are significantly different. Also in July 2008 the Association of Boxing Commissions drafted new MMA rules admending the original unified rules.

For additional information also see:
Nevada Athletic Commission Chapter 467 – Unarmed Combat – Mixed Martial Arts Contests and Exhibitions
California State Athletic Commission – Chapter 2 Full Contact Martial Arts and Kickboxing