Post by WARRIOR on Jul 21, 2009 13:05:03 GMT -5
Fighting with Pads - How Can Protective Gear Change the Fight?
Zubair Khan - July, 2009
Oye! Oye! Fans of the Blue corner screamed as their favorite fighter crashed his opponent’s body with perfectly timed, thunderous kicks, of which the impact could be heard all the way at the back row of the arena. The Red fighter appeared frustrated that every time he would advance to punch, Blue would answer with another powerful kick to the body, yet he continued to pour the pressure on with his punches, missing most, but landing some.
When the bell rang, it was clear that Blue had won the first round. However, it was strange to see that Red had taken so many clean kicks to the body – and they where perfect kicks- yet was unshaken and free of damage. Everyone who watched thought the same thing: “If it wasn’t for the shin pads and body protection, Blue would have stopped him for sure!”
As the fight progressed, Blue began to tire. Red, the taller fighter, attacked ferociously with punches and Blue did his best to respond with kicks. The amount of force he was putting into his kicks and the frequency at which he was throwing them was clearly more than he could manage effectively, even for this short 3 round amateur fight. For the next two rounds, it was all Red, landing powerful punches at will and walking through Blue’s kicks. Blue barely made it through the fight, completely exhausted, frustrated and confused. Clear victory for Red, 2 rounds to 1.
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Surely, as in the above account of a real bout, fighting with protective gear is a very different experience than fighting without it. Wearing shin pads, chest protection and headgear can drastically change the fight. Smart fighters and trainers will consider this in their strategies. Below is a list of some of the common ways that padding may affect strategy (although there are always execptions):
More focus on Points: Although it is possible to stop your opponent in a padded match, it is far less likely. Consider a strategy that focuses more on scoring points than doing damage.
Throwing full-power shots costs energy: If you find that certain strikes are not doing the damage you want, don’t waste your energy on them. Either throw lighter with more frequency, or focus on different strikes that will do more damage.
The head is the best target: Punches and head kicks are definitely the most likely way to stop your opponent in a fully padded match. If kicking and kneeing is not working for you, consider focusing more on boxing.
Anticipate your opponent’s response: Your leg kicks and straight knees may not stop your opponent dead in their tracks. Anticipate that that they will continue throwing and will counter attack with more ease.
Gas is a MUST: There will be less respect for kicks and knees, so expect that there will be more toe-to-toe action. Padded fights are often won by who can throw more, so make sure your conditioning is up to par.
Zubair Khan - July, 2009
Oye! Oye! Fans of the Blue corner screamed as their favorite fighter crashed his opponent’s body with perfectly timed, thunderous kicks, of which the impact could be heard all the way at the back row of the arena. The Red fighter appeared frustrated that every time he would advance to punch, Blue would answer with another powerful kick to the body, yet he continued to pour the pressure on with his punches, missing most, but landing some.
When the bell rang, it was clear that Blue had won the first round. However, it was strange to see that Red had taken so many clean kicks to the body – and they where perfect kicks- yet was unshaken and free of damage. Everyone who watched thought the same thing: “If it wasn’t for the shin pads and body protection, Blue would have stopped him for sure!”
As the fight progressed, Blue began to tire. Red, the taller fighter, attacked ferociously with punches and Blue did his best to respond with kicks. The amount of force he was putting into his kicks and the frequency at which he was throwing them was clearly more than he could manage effectively, even for this short 3 round amateur fight. For the next two rounds, it was all Red, landing powerful punches at will and walking through Blue’s kicks. Blue barely made it through the fight, completely exhausted, frustrated and confused. Clear victory for Red, 2 rounds to 1.
________________________________________
Surely, as in the above account of a real bout, fighting with protective gear is a very different experience than fighting without it. Wearing shin pads, chest protection and headgear can drastically change the fight. Smart fighters and trainers will consider this in their strategies. Below is a list of some of the common ways that padding may affect strategy (although there are always execptions):
More focus on Points: Although it is possible to stop your opponent in a padded match, it is far less likely. Consider a strategy that focuses more on scoring points than doing damage.
Throwing full-power shots costs energy: If you find that certain strikes are not doing the damage you want, don’t waste your energy on them. Either throw lighter with more frequency, or focus on different strikes that will do more damage.
The head is the best target: Punches and head kicks are definitely the most likely way to stop your opponent in a fully padded match. If kicking and kneeing is not working for you, consider focusing more on boxing.
Anticipate your opponent’s response: Your leg kicks and straight knees may not stop your opponent dead in their tracks. Anticipate that that they will continue throwing and will counter attack with more ease.
Gas is a MUST: There will be less respect for kicks and knees, so expect that there will be more toe-to-toe action. Padded fights are often won by who can throw more, so make sure your conditioning is up to par.