Martial Arts Information |
|
Martial Arts Sparring and Training Protective Equipment
The benefits of Martial Arts has always appealed its practitioners. The disciplined training of the mind and body give a sense of well being but some aspects of Martial Arts training do present a problem. Most forms of martial art will eventually lead to contact training at some level, whether is is light contact, semi-contact or full contact. Whilst training it is important to wear the right equipment. But what is the right equipment and what protection will it afford you? During this article I hope to point you in the right direction towards choosing the protective sparring gear that is right for you. Head gear This is probably the most important piece of protective equipment you can purchase. Head injuries are serious and can even be fatal. When choosing head gear for martial arts sparring there are certain features you should look out for.
These questions can be asked of most martial arts equipment. Head gear should be comfortable to wear (not too loose and not too tight), light for ease of movement and padded well around the crown and base of the head as these areas are most likely to be damaged and are most vunerable. Body Armour Body armour is used primarily in Taekwondo and Karate sparring. Its function is to protect the trunk of the body especially the ribs, kidneys and liver from damage. Gloves There are varying styles of martial arts glove on the market. Each style has a particular function to perform. Boxing gloves come in standard sizes 10, 12 and 16 ounces. the heavier gloves are for sparring training the lighter gloves are for competitions. Bear in mind, boxing gloves are designed for use with hand wraps. Martial arts sparring gloves are usuall open handed, allowing for strikes with fists or open hands and finger thrusts. They are lighter for quicker strikes. Mixed martial arts use a specific glove that is designed for grappling and is very flexible. Shin and foot guards shin and foot guards offer as much protection for the attacker as they do for the defender. Often they are made from foam and poly-urethane (P.U.), are easy to clean and light. The most iimportant thing to remember is the cheapest is not always the best. You must feel comfortable in you equipment and be confident it will protect you. Shop around. Many places will be able to tell you what the equipment is designed for and what you can expect from it. a good site to begin with is Pad-Up.com there is a wealth of information here and questions can be answered quite quickly. Good luck in your discipline!
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Eight Simple Rules for Saving Your Life Let's put the non-lethal fantasy to rest. Sensing Intention One of the 'mystical' aspects of the martial arts has always been the ability to feel another persons intention. The Test "Will this work so that I can use it instinctively in vital combat against an opponent who is determined to prevent me from doing so, and who is striving to eliminate me by fair means or foul". ~ Rex Applegate Martial Arts: Mind, Body and Spirit Presented Online This Martial Arts website uses body, spirit and mind to construct an excellent example of the quality and amount of information you can put on your website. A Great Question! It's a question that we went back and forth with for awhile ourselves many moons ago. The "how" and "why" of our conclusions may be of some interest. Whether or not anyone agrees with them, well at the least you'll fully understand the basis for them. What To Expect When You Least Expect It The time you will be attacked you will most likely be: Safety Awareness & Self Defense: Circle of Safety Safety Awareness & Self Defense is the responsibility of each individual. Knowing your surroundings and being aware of potential dangers is your first step towards self-defense. Avoiding and distancing yourself from circumstances that could be trouble are your responsibility. Choosing a Self Defense / Martial Arts School: A Parents Guide "Daddy, I want to take Karate!" Samurai - The Honourable & The Treacherous The Japanese Samurai were warriors. Highly trained, skilled and efficient killers. Indeed, for many years the Samurai were the law of the land, a class of citizens above all except their Daimyo and the imperial Shogun. The samurai inhabited and roamed a land which was governed by the sword, and the samurai were masters of the sword. Why Every Cop Should Study Judo Part 1 Up until 30 years ago, JUDO was the martial art. Then with the introduction of the more mysterious martial arts with more of a "killing" edge to them this coupled with the focus of the USJF/USJI (the leading Judo organizations in the US and the world) focus on Olympic competition and the simple fact that training in judo is painful and to this day, very difficult to get a black belt rank in it, especially if you are in a competitive area. I could probably write another 5 pages on this, but I will stay on point. Nuts & Bolts of Self Defense Fundamental "Nuts & Bolts" training for close combat should be directed at dealing with the extremes. That is a life and death struggle for survival, i.e. worst case scenario. Restraint, control, and use of force scenarios and methods are peripheral to this core training. In other words train to deal with these beliefs at the forefront: The enemy is quite willing and capable of killing you - there are multiple threats - they are armed - the assailant(s) are bigger, stronger, faster than you and they CAN FIGHT! Can it get any worse that that? Now add this to the mix: You are physically/mentally exhausted - ill or injured - caught by absolute surprise - may have to protect others as well - no viable avenue of E&E. The Economics of Self Defense The following is a recent email I received; I thought I should respond to the list rather than to the individual because this situation is common: Grown Man Quits After 3 Mat Pulls! A matt pull is the simple act of lying on flat on your stomach, reaching in front of you and pulling your self across the mat. This is one exercise that helps develop your muscles for grappling. We do these as a part of our warm up. Its Not a Matter of Who is Right "People here may belittle sports arts...." Im Soooo Confused... I was going to write about the BASICS of "practical unarmed combat". Things like a solid and productive core of strength training, development of real speed and power. Body conditioning and toughening, Stamina. A "never say die" iron will. You know "esoteric" stuff like that. Dermot Michael (Pat) ONeill Dermot O'Neill was born in 1905 in County Cork, Ireland. As a teenager he traveled to China, and settled in Shanghai. In 1925, at the age of twenty he joined the Shanghai Municipal Police. This police force comprising of 9000 active and reserve officers was task with bringing law and order to the International Settlement. How to Select Your Martial Arts and Self Defense Equipment The most common place to buy martial arts or self defense equipment is in the local dojo. Most dojos, training centers, etc., have a small store where you can buy or order the martial arts or self defense equipment you need for your practice. COMBATIVES? ...... Don?t Tell Me. I Know What That Is! (Part 1) "Combatives" from the root word COMBAT ? "to fight in direct contact", "active fighting between enemies", "any fight or struggle". Martial Arts Sparring and Training Protective Equipment The benefits of Martial Arts has always appealed its practitioners. The disciplined training of the mind and body give a sense of well being but some aspects of Martial Arts training do present a problem. Combatives This is our last installment on "defining" the parameters of COMBATIVES. |
home | site map |
© 2005 |