Safety equipment for kickboxing

one of my pet hates when refereeing is fighters turning up on the mats without the proper safety equipment, the coaches job is to ensure their fighters are properly equipped to safely take part in the sport of kickboxing in all its formats, some associations have slightly different compulsory requirements but the main ones are all the same and many times it’s basic requirements that are overlooked.

coaches it’s your job to check who is sanctioning the competition and what their requirements are.

Below I will list the requirements for the different formats at mat competitions

semi contact ( points fighting) and light continuous kickboxing

WKA Mandatory Equipment

➢Gum shield

➢Head Guard ( no boxing style head guards top of head must be padded)

➢Open hand gloves with fingers and thumb enclosed (Points)

➢10 oz Boxing gloves (Light contact)

➢Feet pads covering the toes and heel

➢Groin guards (Kids, Juniors, Men and Women)

➢Shin guards (No instep or football type)

➢Breast protector (13 years up)

variations for WAKO competitions

➢Elbow pads (points)

➢Hand Wraps (Light continuous)

K1 light and low kick

.➢Gum shield

➢Head Guard ( no boxing style head guards top of head must be padded)

➢10 oz Boxing gloves (Light contact)

➢Groin guards (Kids, Juniors, Men and Women)

➢Shin pads and boots or shin and instep

➢Breast protector (13 years up)

Clothing

for points, light continuous and full contact, full length kickboxing trousers should be worn. For light continuous and points a club t-shirt should be worn. For K1 and low kick shorts should be worn

Hand Wraps

Hand wraps are important for protecting your wrists from injury. It is a good idea to use them at all times.

They can be a little annoying to put on. If that is an issue with you, then I suggest getting the gel or glove type hand wraps; they are like tiny gloves that slip on instantaneously so there is no actual “wrapping” involved.

Hand wraps are also something you should wash pretty often or else it starts to stink.

Safety equipment should be worn when training for partner and your safety

train hard and train safe