Training Full Contact

[Halloween Jack]

Most JKDers and MMAers I know say that your training has to be full-contact to be effective. What kind of equipment (or whatever) do you use to train full-contact safely?

Seems to me that if you fought no-holds-barred, bare-knuckle without any protective equipment you'd find yourself spitting out teeth pretty quick.

[WTG]

Hi,

from my personal experience, training doesn't have to be "full contact" but full resistence! Progressively, and up to the cut off point set by each individual.

There is a misconception that you have to hit HARD or all out to be effective. Not true. Focus pads are for all out hitting, not your partners head!

Having said that I do believe people should experience full power sparring with equipment from time to time, and if you plan on entering NHB for example then especially then, but not every day as part of training.

Macho head gear or face saver head gear to protect the head
Racket ball eye wear for training the eye shots, a good cup or no faul protector for the groin, shin gaurds (muay Thai style).

16oz gloves for kickboxing concentration, and harbinger type gloves for ground and clinch. Also mouth piece.

Train to actually make contact and give some solid shots about 30-70% is good for day in and out training without brain damage.

Hitting HARD does little to help the other person, what does help is resistence! this can be in many forms not always hitting harder.


Good luck and hope this helps.

[Ryu (JKD?)]

Great post!

Ryu

[Arrgh]

I agree with WTG. You don't have to hit your partner as hard as possible all of the time. So long as your day to day sparring sessions have both physical and mental intent, as well as relevent power.

As far as equipment goes, I work with the following.

1. Good head guard with durable face cage. (I also like Vunak's idea of using a motorcycle helmet.)
2. Open finger, lightly padded bag gloves. Or you can use hockey gloves.
3. Adidas WTF cup and supporter. Worn on the outside. You look a little like Robocop with it, but you can put it on & take it off as required.
4. Asics wrestling shoes.
5. Shock Doctor mouth piece.
6. Hard sheled shin guards.