MMA teaches discipline and respect. It teaches you about yourself and makes you a stronger person. I do recommend proper headgear and gloves especially for the younguns. Here is the description our Wildcats Kid's MMA program: Wild Cats is a children's mixed martial arts (MMA) program guiding our youth from the ages of 5 to 15 years. Wild Cats MMA is mix of all full contact styles in sports combat. Those styles included Muay Thai/kickboxing, wrestling, boxing, judo/jiu-jitsu, submission grappling and Shamrock Submission Fighting. This complete MMA program designed for children teaches real self defense techniques while instilling traditional values of respect and discipline. September of 1999 marked the beginning of what is one of the most unique martial arts programs available to kids today. Instead of sharing one particular style with students the philosophy was to share a unique and effective system with the same values and principles of traditional martial arts. The curriculum that was developed encompasses the extensive that Mr. Shamrock and the Shamrock Submission Fighting Team use in preparation for MMA bouts of which they continue to engage in today. The curriculum and ranking system combines the discipline and respect we have come to expect from any martial art. The goal of the program is growth, guidance, and proper behavior of our children whether it be in the classroom, with adults and peers, or in a self defense situation. Wild Cats Mixed Martial Arts is committed to family, friends, community, and our children.