I am buying a new Head Guard as the focus of my sparring has changed. I now spar with Ju Jitsu and Taiji methods. This uses punches, kicks, locks, holds etc.
I want to train so I can punch to the Jaw and nose but want protection so I don’t get damaged. At 26 my body already doesn’t heal as easily as it used to.
My training also includes Qin Na (Chin Na) so ideally there would be some sort of eye protection in case of accidental gouging because I will be using fingerless gloves like MMA.
But I don’t know if they can withstand semi-contact jabs to the nose. Also there is quite a large opening where an accidental finger could get through to the eyes.
If any one has any recommendations I would be really grateful for your help.
I am buying a new Head Guard as the focus of my sparring has changed. I now spar with Ju Jitsu and Taiji methods. This uses punches, kicks, locks, holds etc.
I want to train so I can punch to the Jaw and nose but want protection so I don’t get damaged. At 26 my body already doesn’t heal as easily as it used to.
My training also includes Qin Na (Chin Na) so ideally there would be some sort of eye protection in case of accidental gouging because I will be using fingerless gloves like MMA.
But I don’t know if they can withstand semi-contact jabs to the nose. Also there is quite a large opening where an accidental finger could get through to the eyes.
If any one has any recommendations I would be really grateful for your help.[/QUOTE]
um, if you’re really practicing the dreaded eye poke then just wear some safety eyewear.
otherwise, the full face style of boxing headgear, which Gene’s peeps don’t carry, is probably the best for protecting the brain.
Foam sparring gear is not recommended for full blast training with any level of safety.
Maybe MAM should sell more high end gear in that respect, im sure with the gradual drift towards more actively beating on each other, there will be a need for more sturdy stuff.
Having said that, check out any outlet that sells to pro boxers or wrestlers.
[QUOTE=CFT;819475]I think you would probably be OK. If you are still worried you might want to wear some swimming goggles to provide extra protection.[/QUOTE]
Please tell me this is a joke…I can’t tell anymore, what with all the inanity I hear on this website…
LOL…at first it was just the image of someone stepping up to spar wearing goggles…then it was the image of someone hitting those goggles, then creating suction on impact, and then suctioning out the eyeball they were meant to protect…LOL…
basic foam gear isn’t so hot as DJ says but the Macho XP fits like a motorcycle helmet and does a good job of dispersing impact because of the plastic cups at chin and ears. You can get a face shield that straps on and is ok but slips some if you don’t check it regularly
we also use the lei tai style w/ face cage as well as the newer style w/ clear plastic face
[QUOTE=Shaolin Wookie;819886]LOL…at first it was just the image of someone stepping up to spar wearing goggles…then it was the image of someone hitting those goggles, then creating suction on impact, and then suctioning out the eyeball they were meant to protect…LOL…[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Shaolin Wookie;819884]Please tell me this is a joke…I can’t tell anymore, what with all the inanity I hear on this website…[/QUOTE]He is pretty well protected with the head guard but worried about the off-chance of fingers to the eyes. The head guard should do most of the work.
[QUOTE=CFT;819959]He is pretty well protected with the head guard but worried about the off-chance of fingers to the eyes. The head guard should do most of the work.[/QUOTE]
Not to be a complete d1ck, but isn’t there a point when you just say I’ll take my bruises, welts, and broken fingers and call it the “name of the game”? Hell, I did that the first day I joined an MA school. Broken a finger, gotten bruised…it’s nothing that’ll kill you. I mean I worked freight on a dock with a broken finger I got from getting my finger caught in a shirt during a throw/takedown (it doesn’t really hurt that much, and I didn’t know it was broken) for 2 months before I went to a doctor…and it healed pretty much alright (well, it’s still lumpy at the joint and my girlfriend thinks its freakish, but it straightened out…LOL…)
You can’t fight or anything without some risk. As long as you’re not kicking at knees or breaking arms, it’s no biggie.
So what’s the point of a helmet? Boxing headgear…okay, I can see that, I suppose, if you’re going really hard. I’ve taken a lot of shot to the nose (but none of them broke it). I can understand a helmet if it involves weapons contact to the head. But isn’t head contact kind of a “trial by fire” type of thing. If you don’t have to proactively protect your head and you lose the peripherals, your technique won’t develop acutely. Know what I mean?
I’m just asking questions for the sake of questions. I’m 26, too, but if you keep yourself fit, your body heals just fine. I had back issues early this year, so I strengthened my back and did more stretching. Problem solved.
[QUOTE=MASTERforge;819462]
But I don’t know if they can withstand semi-contact jabs to the nose. Also there is quite a large opening where an accidental finger could get through to the eyes.
If any one has any recommendations I would be really grateful for your help.[/QUOTE]
This is the reason I thought this was a troll post. Semi-contact jabs to the nose? Semi-contact? As opposed to quasi-contact, or perhaps pseudo-contact? Either you hit it or you don’t. Your nose can take a punch (as long as it hasn’t been broken numerous times) as long as it’s not a barreling shoulder punch that lands square on or comes from the side like a hook.
I think it’ll be just fine with semi-contact. No helmet needed. Helmets are for hockey goalies.
Here’s the best head guard you can get, and it’s free:
Head movement & Keep your hands up.
If you want to pay me, you can PM me with your bank account for the money order, Western Union, of course. Oh, I live in Nigeria, so you’ll know it’s me.
Seriously, just keep your hands up, but don’t keep 'em tucked in close. The main problem most people have is they keep their hands in too close when they get tense and tired, and they get hit a lot (you won’t see it coming at that distance). You have to intercept/deflect/evade the punch far before it gets 1/2 a foot in front of you, or you’re going to get hit. Just practice bobbing and weaving, and get your head movement to loosen up and your shoulders to loosen up, then your torso. (Capoeira was great for the bobbing/weaving)…You’ll find that you can evade more punches by slap blocking and moving than by blocking like most kung-fu/karate/whatever else blocks. (Although, slap blocks/moving are ingrained in all my CMA stuff, though some people don’t see 'em for whatever reason)…:rolleyes:
Try tying a strap to a 10# weight for starters. Then bite down on the strip, and lift your chin up and down like you’re nodding “yes” to a question. It’ll develop your neck strength and strengthen your “chin”.
The main thing is “preventative maintenance”. Maybe I’m old school (but I’m too young to be old school), but a helmet will only teach you that it doesn’t hurt as much when you get hit if you’re wearing a helmet. It’s better to do the hard work and build up as much of a resistance as possible. Harden your body, harden your muscles, learn to move.
[QUOTE=Shaolin Wookie;820109]Maybe I’m old school (but I’m too young to be old school), but a helmet will only teach you that it doesn’t hurt as much when you get hit if you’re wearing a helmet. It’s better to do the hard work and build up as much of a resistance as possible. Harden your body, harden your muscles, learn to move.[/QUOTE]
Spoken like a man that’s never sparred full contact before…
Headgear is essential if you are hitting hard. You don’t want the cage because it limits your vision, and if you can’t see you are pretty just much just in there swinging blind.
