The book "Ch'ang Hon Taekwon-do Hae Sul: Real Applications to the ITF patterns Volume 1" would seem to answer many of these questions. I do not recommend a lot of TKD books but this one is at the top of the list.
The times that I have tried to wear a TKD protector then I was too wrapped up in it to be effective. We do not wear them in my stlye but I do wear a rib guard when sparring with beginners or full on.
Hello, I am a member of Chin Mu Kwan TKD Federation through Master Bob Davis in McAllen Texas. I was wondering if there were any other CTF members on this forum?