Advice on training head techniques with minors

Since 1 January 2020, techniques to the head have not been permitted in kickboxing, Thai boxing and MMA bouts for youth up to 18 years of age. Until now, the Vechtsportautoriteit (Dutch Martial Arts Authority) had not issued a position on training sessions. The organisation focused mainly on bouts, rather than on gyms. The introduction of the Keurmerk Vechtsportautoriteit (the Authority's quality mark for gyms) in 2021 changes this. For that reason, the VA has drawn up advice on training with minors.

In recent years, more and more has become known about the harmful consequences of head trauma for brains that are still developing. Children who head a football or take a punch to the head from a boxing glove sustain more damage than adults do. The medical committee of the Vechtsportautoriteit, which includes ringside doctors and other medical professionals, issued a recommendation that was adopted. In youth bouts in our sports, techniques to the head (punches or kicks) are now prohibited.

Until now, the VA had not issued a position on training sessions. Supervision focused on bouts. From 2021 onwards, however, the VA will also supervise martial arts gyms. Advice has therefore now been formulated on training involving techniques to the head with minors.

The advice on training head techniques with minors is as follows:

When training minors, the standard is: no punches or kicks to the head. Youth aged 16 and over may, however, be prepared for participation in bouts in the adult categories. This can be done through game forms and by learning to evade and block techniques to the head. This increases their resilience by the time they turn 18 and start competing under the rules for adults. The trainer is responsible for translating this guideline into practice in a way that puts the health of the underage athlete first.

In this way, gyms can responsibly adapt the structure and intensity of the training to the individual underage athlete, with a view to safety and health.