GEAR

2Green · Post by **2Green** » Wed Jan 22, 2003 3:50 am

In posting above, I had a thought about a topic:
We don't use any gear like shin pads or headgear or gloves or any other protective stuff at all, except I will wear an upper teethguard on occasion because all my class mates far outrank me.

Is this the norm, or does the typical Uechi class use any, and if so, what protective gear?

NM

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 22, 2003 5:02 am

You might find this of interest found it in the old viewpoint page.

http://www.uechi-ryu.com/oldsite/viewpo ... debate.htm

Back in the old days we wore an upper mouth guard when sparing. We wore a cup at all times. (Though most times they do a poor job of protecting you

) Seems to me there was a tournament long time ago where one of the fine folks from Halifax blocked a front kick with their groin protector. Make a long story short the cup shifted and sliced one of the poor chap's testicles. I've not felt confident wearing a cup since I read that. Thanks Van

.

Today I use a double mouth guard when sparring. Dental works is expensive. We utilize the head as a target and hand protection reduces cuts and abrasions for both parties.

I was dead against gear until about 18 months ago. I now see some benefits and use it from time to time.

1. When injured gear can allow you to train ie, extremely swollen knuckles or extreme bruising to arm or shin, rather than waiting for the booboo to mend you can cover it up and go to work..

2. Some safety gear instills confidence in the student. I train with a guy who was afraid to spar. Slap some headgear on him and he was cool with it, he's enjoying him self and getting better. Now the headgear is of no value in preventing head injuries, and in fact tends to make everyone t off a bit on you, but he's feeling safe!

3. Some gear allows you to train for longer periods. We drill with contact and some penetration. We also have been known to train for up to five hours. Well the old ribcage can only take so much. When we start getting a wee bit sore we slip on some pads on the hands. Without some protection some drills would not get much training.

For years I was dead against gear, now I'm keen on some of it now and then. Hey I'd like a full bullet man suit so we good throw some heavier shots at each other now and then. Deep down inside I have always felt that this "controlled striking" might entrench throwing fluff. I'd like to gear up and just go, I'm sure it would answer a lot of questions and send me back to the dojo to train a smaller set of skills.

Laird

Bevwy · Post by **Bevwy** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 2:35 pm

I've found it impossible to find a chest guard that allows mobility.
The only gear we seem to have in England is either a kickboxing body armour or some moulded platic item very similar to a ' madonna bra ' neither of which are any use if you want to move freely.
I'd like a bit of protection for myself but also for my training partners , most are men and are very wary of going near the chest area.
I don't want to risk chest injury but i'd still like a bit of realism.
If anyone knows of a mail order firm that do sensible protection gear I'd like to hear of it.

Thanks
Col

Dana Sheets · Post by **Dana Sheets** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 7:22 pm

I haven't tried these, but I got to thinking that women's la crosse players need the same kind of stuff as women martial artists. A little padding, but nothing too restrictive.

I think these look pretty decent...

http://www.anacondasports.com/wizards/2 ... ?catid=400

Any women's la crosse players out there? Any other ideas?

Dana

Mary S · Post by **Mary S** » Fri Mar 28, 2003 8:23 pm

Bevwy, at our dojo we had available for female students a product called Turtle Shells - basically a sports bra with molded inserts made of kevlar (that came in a variety of sizes). You just slipped the inserts in and you were good to go. They came out easily so the sports bra could be laundered.

I checked around today for the website on Turtle Shells but I couldn't access it - you might want to do a general search on the web using "turtle shell chest protection" and see if you can find anything.

Best of luck!

Mary

Bevwy · Post by **Bevwy** » Mon Mar 31, 2003 11:40 am

Thanks for the feedback , I'll check them out.
Mary , have you personally tried the ' Turtle shells ' or do you have any comments from someone who has tried them ?
I have seen them in magazines but thought they looked a bit useless reminds me of my bra padding schooldays

, I don't know of anyone who's actually used them.

Thanks
Col

Mary S · Post by **Mary S** » Mon Mar 31, 2003 1:44 pm

I have used them and I swear by em!!!

They diffuse direct hits to the breast and don't interfere with movement. I would recommend them to all female karate-ka and I know Lori MD who uses them would probably agree with me. Having been punched hard several times in that "delicate" area I can tell you I would much rather take a hit there wearing the shells!! No damage at all when wearing them!

I would say the most imporant thing if you do get them is to get the proper cup size. Too small won't give you coverage and too big will cause problems as well (movement and again poor coverage).

Dana Sheets · Post by **Dana Sheets** » Mon Mar 31, 2003 6:31 pm

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/fightwarrio ... ggear.html

Here's a site where you can buy both the bra and cups or just the cups. The price seems pretty good compared to others I saw online. If you only want to buy the cups. Other sites have bra with cups for about $29.99 plus shipping.

These look really promising -- I wonder if any retail outlet sells them - cup size can vary alot between different vendors.

Mary - did you find the cup sizes to run large, small, or about average?

Mary S · Post by **Mary S** » Mon Mar 31, 2003 7:57 pm

Dana, I found they ran pretty true to form on sizes...but I stress again, get the right size...gear that doesn't fit properly can't do its job!!! I started out with shells that were a bit too small and they just couldn't diffuse the energy from punches. As a result, I got some bruising. I changed to another size and no more problems.

I find I have ended up wearing turtle shells for a variety of sports - in particular softball...I don't even notice them after time.

If you get them let me know what you think!!!

Dana Sheets · Post by **Dana Sheets** » Mon Mar 31, 2003 8:13 pm

Great! Thanks Mary.

Here's another site. $9.99 for just cups - shipping is about $6.00

http://www.honigs.com/store/shop.mpl?Cat=93&Item=77

Mary S · Post by **Mary S** » Mon Mar 31, 2003 8:18 pm

Dana one other thing

They are also great as an intimidation factor. I was at a tourney once and just before I had to spar, one of my friends nailed me a few times in the chest with some hard punches (in front of my opponent). I just stood there with the nasty scowl on my face and gave an evil laugh!!!

Dana Sheets · Post by **Dana Sheets** » Tue Apr 01, 2003 2:58 am

You go girl!!!!!

Ain't nothing link a chest of steel of send shivers down the spine of a hapless opponent!

Hah!

And victory was yours I'm sure.

Bevwy · Post by **Bevwy** » Tue Apr 01, 2003 8:35 am

Thanks.
I may buy some for the intimidation factor alone.
Ha ha , hope the oponent you scared the life out of was a guy !!
Not that i've anything against Guys but it's nice to scare them back once in a while.

I'll get some cups and let you know how they work for me.

Col

Mary S · Post by **Mary S** » Tue Apr 01, 2003 1:16 pm

The opponent was a female (and yes, I won), and I got some interesting looks from her as well as some of the guys in the crowd!!

I have always thought that one of the most important parts of sparring is to have that mental edge (even if it's all in your mind). One of my theories is "If you think I can beat you, I already have" so anything I could do to get myself to that spot, I would do....even if it didn't work all the time it's very important. Intimidation can be an amazing tool.

Party on.... Mar

GEAR

GEAR

What no cup?

La Crosse

ROTFLMAO