Protective equipment has evolved significantly over several decades of taekwondo practice. During sparring, you'll try to land a variety of kicks and punches over most of your opponent's body, and he'll be doing the same to you. Protective equipment lets you practice strong techniques safely, and keeps accidents from becoming injuries.
Head and Mouth
Normally, sparring partners avoid strong blows to the head, but sometimes opponents collide, misstep or fall. A sturdy helmet made of foam plastic cushions impacts to the top and side of the head as well as the back of the neck. In addition to head protection, plastic mouth guards are also mandatory. According to Lenny Sclafani, DDS, of the Fighting Arts web site, even indirect and unintended strikes to your mouth by hands, feet or elbows can result in tooth loss.
Chest and Back
Though not all taekwondo federations mandate their use, many require a chest protector. This is a flat padding that covers most of your chest and back, absorbing blows to your vital organs or spine.
Arms and Hands
Taekwondo students must wear special protective gloves during sparring practice and tournaments. These cover your fingers, the backs of your hands and the forearm up to the elbow. They protect both the hands doing the striking and the body areas receiving the strike.
Legs and Feet
Especially for advanced students, taekwondo kicks can deliver enough force to injure. Students must wear special open-bottomed foot covers that protect your heel, instep and ankle as well as your opponent's body on the receiving end of your kicks. They are soft and lightweight, so they don't interfere with technique. Shin guards are also mandatory. These pull onto your lower leg just under the knee and cushion blows to your shin and instep areas.
Cup Supporter
All male taekwondo students must wear an athletic supporter with a hard protective cup. A study of taekwondo safety measures published in 2003 by the "British Journal of Sports Medicine" recommends this practice. This is necessary not only for sparring, but also for all other class and tournament activities. While taekwondo rules prohibit deliberate groin strikes, accidents do happen, so you want to keep mishaps from becoming painful injuries.
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