MMA's most important growth market...KIDS !!
For MMA to reach the ultimate level of major mainstream US sports like the NFL, NBA, MLB or NHL kids need to be cultivated. The four mentioned major sports all encourage youth participation at an early age.
Depending on the region, one flavor of organized youth sports or another is always in season. If it's CYO basketball in the Northeast, Pop Warner football in the South, Little League baseball seemingly everywhere or hockey in the Upper Midwest kids are playing it.
This early and constant indoctrination of kids is a glaring deficiency in modern MMA. To continue its growth and penetration into the crowded and formidable sporting landscape, organized youth MMA competition is a must.
Youth sports has 3 major benefits. First, it creates loads of knowledgeable lifelong fans. Second, it cultivates the the elite level competitors and stars of tomorrow. Last but not least, it generates massive merchandising opportunities. Who do you think is begging their parents for a large percentage of those Kobe, Lebron, Manning, Crosby and Jeter jerseys?
When is the last time you heard a kid screaming "Daddy, daddy I want a Chuck Liddell jersey" or "Mom I can't find my GSP sneakers"?
Depending on the region, one flavor of organized youth sports or another is always in season. If it's CYO basketball in the Northeast, Pop Warner football in the South, Little League baseball seemingly everywhere or hockey in the Upper Midwest kids are playing it.
This early and constant indoctrination of kids is a glaring deficiency in modern MMA. To continue its growth and penetration into the crowded and formidable sporting landscape, organized youth MMA competition is a must.
Youth sports has 3 major benefits. First, it creates loads of knowledgeable lifelong fans. Second, it cultivates the the elite level competitors and stars of tomorrow. Last but not least, it generates massive merchandising opportunities. Who do you think is begging their parents for a large percentage of those Kobe, Lebron, Manning, Crosby and Jeter jerseys?
When is the last time you heard a kid screaming "Daddy, daddy I want a Chuck Liddell jersey" or "Mom I can't find my GSP sneakers"?
Hey Doc,
Have you checked out the rules for the Pankration leagues that are running out in California? It's amateur mma without any strikes above the collarbone. Taking away head strikes is interesting because it removes the need for headgear, shin pads and big gloves, which don't work very well with the submission grappling and bjj. Better to completely avoid strikes to head with kids anyway.
If you haven't seen the rule set you can check it out at fightleague.org. I'm interested in what you think about it as a good framework for amateur mma for kids.
Oh BTW, Fightleague events use TWO refs per match to keep track of the points and to ensure competitor safety.
Cheers
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