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Sparring Gear Basics 401

When it comes to Taekwondo Sparring Gear, you will find that many Taekwondo schools have pretty strict requirements when it comes to sparring gear.
Following are some basics to help you in your shopping

On this page, we will find the primary distinctions in Taekwondo Sparring Gear and Karate Sparring Gear. For the most part- it is all about a good defense. Some disciplines tend to be stricter regarding the levels and quality of the equipment.

Taekwondo schools can be quite fussy. Many schools like the students to use solely WTF (World Taekwondo Federation) certified gear. A number of are a bit more relaxed, specifically when the age of the students is less than 12. As students grow older, they will hit harder after which come the requirement of far better top quality equipment.

Taekwondo Sparring Gear consists of: Head gear, chest protector, forearm pads, hand guards, Groin, shin guards and foot guards. There are various brands versions and levels of safeguard.

If you were to compete in Taekwondo tournaments, you would have to be nervous with meeting the gear requirements. That's exactly the reason why I inform my students, "Buy WTF Certified sparring gear- then you will don't have any concerns!"

Karate schools alternatively use different strikes, through an emphasis on hand punches. Numerous schools usually do not call for Chest, shin or forearm guards. Several Karate Sparring Gear bundles include Head gear, hand, groin and foot safeguard. That's it. And foam gear is normally appropriate. Again, as students grow older they naturally need to buy far better high quality gear to safeguard themselves and their partners.

That offers us a preview of the required pieces of equipment. You can also get several protection levels. By protection levels, I am talking about, one example is: gear made from cloth and pads would be the least expensive level; foam is the following level; followed by vinyl-covered pads with strengthened padding. More youthful students have a tendency to start out with the fabric, cheap stuff. Then, if they stick to it, they'll either choose the foam gear or invest the extra couple of bucks on the really good stuff.

Now you've got a fundamental understanding of how the various martial arts styles demand sparring gear.

Taekwondo Sparring Gear
Karate Sparring Gear
Adidas Sparring Gear

Sparring Gear Taekwondo Adidas 102

If you're a new comer to the Sparring Gear world or only want to find out about several optionative we are confronted with when buying sparring gear...

I've produced a e-Learning program to help you guide you within your sparring gear search.I have been practicing every type of martial arts for over 25 years and I'm also a Taekwondo School Owner in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Terminology and Required Equipment

These might be several terms you've heard thrown around or might encounter:

WTF: World Taekwondo Federation

Instep: The top part of the foot, just below the ankle, where a lot of kicks are absorbed.

Hogu: Korean for Chest Protector, aka Trunk

Clash Shins: When two people throw a kick simultaneously, clashing shins, in effect- blocking the strike.

Round House: The most popular kick. It start by lifting bent knee in the direction of target, turning hip and simultaneously extending your bent knee, striking with instep.

Kukkiwon: the governing body in Korea that keeps track of all Taekwondo Blackbelts.

Karate, Style: A Japanese word which means bare hand and describes a karate student's power to offer a defense with out the use of weapons. Karate originate in Japan. There are many styles of Karate- Ryukue, Kenpo, Kempo... In my experience- Karate concentrate more on hand strikes and pressure points

Taekwondo: Korean Tae (hand) Kwon (foot) Do (way). The Way of the Hand and Foot. There are also many styles of Taekwondo. Taekwondo is known for its kicking

Equipment for Taekwondo Sparring:

The World Taekwondo Federation demands this particular equipment to compete in WTF sanctioned events:

World Taekwondo Federation Competition Rules

Contestant Uniform and Protective Equipment

1) The contestant shall wear the trunk protector, head protector, groin guard, forearm guards, shin guards, gloves and a mouthpiece before entering the contest area.

2) The groin guard, forearm guards and shin guards shall be worn beneath the Taekwondo uniform. The contestant shall bring this WTF-approved protective equipment, as well as gloves and the mouthpiece, for his/her personal use. Wearing any item on the head other than the head protector shall not be permitted.

Source: http://wtforg.cafe24.com/wtf_eng/site/rules/competition.html#4

If you have visited Martial Arts Supplies Sites, you may have seen the amazing choices when shopping for Sparring Gear.

Choices & Tips on how to cut through the clutter

You may believe that highest defense would be the only factor when looking for sparring gear. Individuals risking injuries for a sport or martial art discipline they adore. Our motivation to contend and win may be affected by the capacity to safeguard ourselves.

When it comes to Personal Protection, Why are there numerous choices… Everything relies on controling for suppliers to supply selling prices to fit your spending budget. When you start to reduce price, so too- does one lessen Safety Levels.

You will find fundamentally Three varieties, or levels of safety:

Cloth, also categorised as "Sock-type" gear. This particular gear gives the minimum amount of safeguard. You can buy Shin, Instep, Hand, Elbow and Forearm Cloth Gear.

Cloth gear consists of low-quality foam which is sewn into a sock-like elastic cloth. The cloth is usually expandable. It is challenging to get it on and in many cases harder to get it off, when wet!

Foam type gear, I believe you will get almost any piece (head, hands, feet, chest, shins, Not Groin) Wouldn't desire a foam dipped groin protector...

The safety level is superior and so they are less difficult to get off and on. The challenge with these is always that they respond like a ball- whenever you make contact- there is a rebound, as opposed to absorbing the energy of the strike.

The 3rd level of safety is Composite Gear. This sort of gear offers the best protection. If you are not really acquainted with Kevlar, the material these people help to make bullet proof vests and helmets with- like Kevlar, Premium gear consist of many layers of extremely dense composite material.

Like Everything Else in Life- You Get What You Pay For

Since we've flattened the playing field and broken the overwhelming choices down to Three fundamental varieties of gear, now you can easliy find out what to look for in top quality gear.

How To Spot Very poor Quality Gear

My good friend, Master Robert Caullette of Caullett's Academy in Royal Palm Beach, says it best.

Master Caullett is sparring competitively, pretty much most of his life. He's right now among world's most well known competitive sparring coaches. Master Caullett tells us in his own words:

"What to Look for When Shopping for Sparring Gear"

Link to Video

We will close things out with a few facts to consider while searching for good quality sparring gear.

Recommendations and Practical Suggestions

Buying Good quality Gear will save you many head aches:

If you decide to compete, you'll have no problems with the tournament's regulating body. Almost all states have their own State-level "WTF", here it's the Florida Taekwondo Federation. These types of regulating Bodies won't question anything which is WTF Certified.

Save time and Complications returning sub-standard gear. I do not know how many times a brand new student showed-up at sparring with cloth gear. "I'm sorry. You ought to have checked with us first- that gear is unsafe and can not be used here... We will not allow equipment that will not safeguard a student in my school.

Shop with assurance. When you purchase the correct style (Taekwondo, Karate, etc.) and is certified by the world regulating body- you cannot make a mistake.

Sign-UP for your $5 Off Online Coupon. You can use the coupon anytime. The code will be emailed so you can store it away until you are ready to use it

And Just remember, You or Your Child will be safeguarded! I recently published this small post on my web log:

Top 3 Reasons to buy Top quality Sparring Gear

March 25th, 2009

Reason #1 Safty

If you think about it… the reason we buy sparring gear should be to guard our body. I do not know about you, but whenever I get struck I'd prefer to minimize the pain as much as possible.

Whenever you purchase gear for an individual

or

Somebody buys it for you usually Price is the thing that is certainly considered!

We'll leave #1 at that…

Reason #2 Durability

Excellent gear will last many, many, many times longer. And combined with the extra lifespan- the equipment's ability to safeguard won't degrade. In fact I have bought crappy gear in the past- however I had to exchange it- and when I did, it was with good quality gear. Gear that I have to this day- in good condition. Learn from my mistake.

Reason #3 It's Easier to get Off and on

Whether or not the gear is perfect for you or your child, keep in mind trying to put the sock-type gear on? The tugging? And your Master yelling at you to get your butt in gear (no word play here intended)… How about trying to get it off when it got all sweaty… Ugh!

Quality gear goes on easy and comes off even easier.

I really hope You've realized some important lessons with regards to sparring gear. Shoot me an e-mail if you want.

Adidas Sparring Gear
Taekwondo Sparring Gear
Sparring Gear

Sparring Gear 105

There are 3 main pieces of sparring equipment, no matter the style. Headgear, Foot protection and hand protection.


Taekwondo Sparring Gear

Head gear is used by most styles like Karate and Taekwondo. Most people think it is to protect the head, where I think it is to protect the other persons hand or foot... Most head gear is dipped foam of varying colors and alsowraps around the ears. The old style used to be made of leather.

Hand protection is prety important too. Maybe the gloves make a fighter feel cool because I have never found a use for gloves. Many a hand have been broken by blocking, no matter the padding. Hand guards a usually made of dipped foam too, although the newer standards for Taekwondo have made more like motorcycle riding gloves required equipment. And they cost a lot too.

The third piece of equipment is foot guards. I have always thought foot protection is very important especially in taekwondo sparring. I used to wear 2 pads over my feet. The first time you kick your opponents elbow, you'll know why. These pads can also be made of dipped foam but they can be bulky and bozo the clown-like shoes. Adidas makes some pretty nice vinyl foot pads that are not as bulky and unreliable.

A few other pads that can be helpful in protecting you or you child is a quality chest guard. I use a Daedo chest protector and it has kept the wind in my lungs many times. A well placed back kick is all it takes.

Shin guards can also make life after the match and your ability to walk much improved. When shopping for shin guards, you don't want to go cheap. Look for some guards that have reinforcement and also are made of vinyl.

Groin and mouth are things that are usually an after thought...

Duncan Patton

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