Belly protectors are padded, sometimes armored, shields worn over the upper and lower abdomen during kickboxing, boxing and martial arts matches. Most are fastened in the back with an elastic strap and a hook and loop fastener. The purpose of the belly protector is to cushion the blow of punches or kicks delivered to the abdomen.
Why to Wear a Belly Protector
For most kickboxers, the ability to take a blow to the midsection is part of the sport. At times, however, even the best kickboxer is going to want padding. Padding helps minimize the chance of injury during extended training sessions. It helps protect the smaller training partner during mismatched training bouts. It helps protect novices and young people who have not yet built up the ability to take a blow to the midsection. And it minimizes the chance of reinjury during recovery from an injury to the midsection.
Tournament Regulations
The World Kickboxing Association does not require or recommend a belly protector for tournament fighting. The International Kickboxing Federation requires chest pads for all junior Muay Thai fighters who are fighting in a tournament. The sanctioned chest pads extend from the area above the heart to the lower abdomen and function as belly protectors. Adults do not wear chest or belly protection during IKF tournament fights.
Belly Protector
The most basic belly protector extends from the solar plexus to the lower abdomen, typically just above the pubic bone. It has a leather or PVC nylon outer coating that encloses one or more layers of shock absorbing foam. It tapers from a large, thickly padded contact area in the front, to thinner, more lightly padded areas on the sides, to a hook and loop closure in the back.
Body Protector
Some belly protectors offer full torso protection as well. Known as body shields, these protectors extend from the collar bone to the lower abdomen. The tae kwon do sparring vest is one kind of body shield. It laces in the back and reverses from red to blue for ease in distinguishing competitors in tournament. The koshiki anzen bogu has a layer of padding over rigid armor. Its purpose is to allow fighters to punch and kick with full power without danger of injury.
Posted in: Kickboxing