# Sword-Fighting Gatherings The Foam Weapon League is for Literal Weekend Warriors By Michael Hines | Published 2011-08-12 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/foam-weapon-league References: [odditycentral](http://www.odditycentral.com/news/foam-weapon-league-is-a-video-game-come-to-life.html) & [laist](http://laist.com/2011/01/03/interview_with_foam_weapon_leagues.php#photo-1) Weekend warrior takes on a whole new meeting in the newly created Foam Weapon League. The Foam Weapon League is a mixture of [LARP (live-action role play)](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dungeon-tryouts) and "Fight Club" in that two participants duke it out with one another using [foam weapons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fight-teeth) instead of fists. The Foam Weapon League was created by David Ballard and Michelle Morrow, both fans of epic films involve brutal battle scenes. The fights in the league aren't nearly as violent, but they are still plenty brutal. Participants are allowed to battle with any weapon they would like provided its edges and point are covered in foam. Without getting too in-depth with the rules, the object of each fight is to break two fake blood bags placed around your opponents vital organs such as the heart and kidneys. Points are taken away for head-shots and for bull-rushing opponents. The Foam Weapon League is still in its infancy, but Ballard and Morrow are trying to raise interest across the country. Their goal is to spread the league to 12 U.S. cities before the end of 2011. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.9/10 - Popularity: 15% | Activity: 34% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Sports](https://www.trendhunter.com/sports) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Live-action Sports:** The Foam Weapon League is part of a larger trend of live-action sports. - **Nostalgia Entertainment:** The Foam Weapon League provides entertainment through nostalgia for epic film battle scenes. - **Alternative Competition:** The Foam Weapon League provides an alternative to traditional sports competitions. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Recreation:** The recreation industry may benefit from expanding into the live-action sports market. - **Entertainment:** The entertainment industry can capitalize on nostalgia for epic film battle scenes through similar events. - **Sporting Goods:** The sporting goods industry can try to create foam weapon and protection gear for this emerging sport. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Survival-Style Fantasy Football Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fantasy-football-experience.md) - [Legendary Arena Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ultimate-gladiator-experience.md) - [Action Film-Inspired Tabletop Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tabletop-rpg.md) - [Adult-Targeted Foam Disc Blasters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/disc-blaster.md) - [NFT Fighting Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mechafightclub.md) - [Team-Based Party Shooters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/foamstars.md) - [Preparedness-Inspired Fitness Classes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/preparedness-inspired-fitness-classes.md) - [Cannabis-Sponsored Sports Leagues](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/karate-combat.md) - [Competitive Web3 Shooting Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wilder-world.md)