Combat Sports involve forced physical contact between two athletes using a range of striking, grappling and weapon usage techniques. Typical examples include boxing, wrestling, karate, kickboxing, brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and mixed martial arts (MMA). These sports are highly regulated to minimize permanent or severe physical damage to participants through a variety of safety precautions including padded gloves, mouthguards and specialized protective gear.
Competitions of this nature create a deep desire to succeed that may have different effects on individuals. For some, the drive to win is an empowering source of self-confidence and strength. For others, it can create unmanaged anxiety that can affect their performance both short and long-term. Regardless of its impact, competition is a vital part of any sport that involves forceful physical contact.
Participation in combat sports builds discipline, endurance, camaraderie and a variety of useful life skills. It encourages participants to set goals for themselves and strive to achieve them, developing a mindset of continual improvement that can carry over into other areas of their lives. Search terms such as bjj classes, wrestling gym or MMA clubs will provide lists of local facilities that offer these types of training. This allows individuals to find the sport that works best for them while also building a supportive network in the process. Regular training routines also teach participants to break larger goals into smaller, more manageable tasks – a practice that can be applied in all areas of their lives.