I don't like chest protectors!

[battousai16]

i really hate chest protectors too, and only wear them when i have too. god do i hate them, except for one thing.....

.....did you ever notice that everybody aims for the big, obvious dots on them? presenting such a luring target draws them in a bit more, and knowing exactly where they're going to strike helps in strategy building a great deal.

[bushido_man96]

The first time I ever put one on, me and my brother did it so we could go with harder contact, and just beat the pulp out of each other. It was strange, because we actually didn't hit each other that much, and we did a lot of blocking and some countering. We took them off, and then went at each other again, and really went harder and meaner than we did without them. Kind of weird, but that's the way it went. We didn't hurt each other too bad, however.

[aefibird]

I hate wearing a chest protector, I find them hot and uncomfortable. This is the type I have at the moment, but I've worn others and hated them all!

[Jacob]

I don't like them either, but I would have a bigger problem if I got a good kick to the chest without one!

[bushido_man96]

I don't like them either, but I would have a bigger problem if I got a good kick to the chest without one!

I've taken these kinds of kicks without the protectors before. You recover, and you go on. Usually, though, if you have your hands up, you can absorb most of the impact.

[Ottman]

I've been sparring with no pads at all lately, and I have to say that despite all the bruises, I like it so much more than wearing pads. I put the pads on and it feels like I'm wearing a straight jacket. I end up getting hit more often because of the restricted movement I have to deal with. Sparring with no pads is like escaping from prison. It feels so much more free.

[Aodhan]

I've been sparring with no pads at all lately, and I have to say that despite all the bruises, I like it so much more than wearing pads. I put the pads on and it feels like I'm wearing a straight jacket. I end up getting hit more often because of the restricted movement I have to deal with. Sparring with no pads is like escaping from prison. It feels so much more free.

Huh. I never had had much problem with protectors, personally.

However, your arguement could be used as a case FOR wearing gear, and going with harder contact. That way if you do get into it on the street, then you feel open and easy and can really go to town.

Aodhan

[Ottman]

However, your arguement could be used as a case FOR wearing gear, and going with harder contact. That way if you do get into it on the street, then you feel open and easy and can really go to town.

Aodhan

I can understand your point from a logical position, but I have to disagree. The protectors impede my mobility, my kicking speed and height, and subsequently, my power. I literally can't hit as hard or as fast when I'm wearing the pads, so it doesn't help my technique at all. It stops me from training the same way I'd fight out on the street, so instead it's just frusterating, and in my opinion, it's holding me back from really going to town. It isn't like wearing a weight vest or ankle weights that can actually make me stronger. When I train with ankle weights, I still use the same extension and form in my kicks, so when I take them off my kicks are faster and stronger. With the pads on, I have to change the way I kick in order to move 'around' the pads and it isn't like they're providing any significant resistance training for me, so when I take them off, I revert to the proper technique, but since I couldn't use that proper technique while sparring, I haven't really improved much.

[aigaios]

Lol... I _hate_ chest protectors, and I totally agree with Ottman. They pevent me from executing my kicks properly.

Lucky for me, in my school they aren't required. .

[Aodhan]

Lol... I _hate_ chest protectors, and I totally agree with Ottman. They pevent me from executing my kicks properly.

Lucky for me, in my school they aren't required. .

If your kicks are impeded by a chest protector, then you are probably wearing the wrong size, or need to find a different brand. I've tried about 7 different WTF style (white with the big target spots on them), and I had 3 or 4 that didn't bind my legs at all.

Since I don't have to wear that style anymore I don't, my current CP is from a company called revgear, and it works excellently, and doesn't impede ANY of my movements.

Aodhan