Foam Fighting: Technology and Culture

Foam fighting is a form of Live Action Role Playing (LARP) that focuses on mock
combat and recreational battle, with role-playing aspects taking a less prominent role. It is
sometimes referred to as a “poor man’s martial art”.While there does not appear to be any
clear documentation concerning the origins, research on foam fighting suggests the sport
began in Maryland in the 1970’s and slowly spread throughout the United States.
This research will illustrate how the sport of foam fighting demands a level of
critical thinking that takes both the participant and audience beyond the sight of a
swinging stick. I plan to show how this sport provides an outlet for high levels of
creativity, social interaction and strategic planning skills. It is a hobby that has had a
great impact on the daily lives of many of its participants and continues to grow and
evolve.