about extra protectors and armour in kendo shiai

[Paburo]

in the few national and international/state tournaments i've been to, there have always been some kenshi using heel protectors and tabi. so i'm guessing it's not something illegal to use within shiai... just not 100% sure.

though in last tournament with kurasawa-sensei 9-dan, we we're asked to show the protectors to the shinpans at the shinai check, and ask permission to use them(all permissions were granted).

i know another kenshi who uses an elbow protector in shiai. but not a regular elbow protector, this thing is more like a skater type one.

on another state tournament, some kenshi got hansoku for using a skater-type elbow protector... over his kote! (in the knuckle area). he argued that the missing kote hits on his knuckles were killing him but he still got the hansoku and had to take it off.

yet, on another tournament, a guy fought using sandals and socks, due to some feet problems.

the questions would be,

is there a paragraph in the rules where it states specifically every single piece of armour/protectors that are legal in shiai??

should the kendo gear be modified to protect more? or protect less?

[qpuppy]

I use heel protector myself..... (be because i injuired my heel :() but that all depend on the judges... if they allow then it is allowed .. if not.. bad luck.... no matter what the reason... if I was to be told not to be able to use heel pads.. then i just have to suffer.. (maybe even damage my heel completely if have to... ) but... injuires from bad hits is all part of kendo...

in the case of Skater type elbow protector... well.... that does explains it... "ELBOW" protector.. for "ELBOW" use... Not "KNUCKLE" Protector.... that is what Kote are used for... protect wrist and hand (including knuckle areas)... you just have to bare it... I find it to be the same conspect as.. if hitting on the men is too painfulll.. than why cant i just use a motorbike helmet... it protects the head too.....

[JSchmidt]

Hmm, hardshelled protectors certainly shouldnt be allowed, IMO.
As for getting hit over the knuckles, I had similar problem. Best solution was to tape up the hand, almost in boxer-style. It really helps absorbing the blow.

Jakob

[samurai999]

I always used an ankle brace because I injured my left ankle playing bball and used it to support my left leg playing kendo. The one time I wasn't allowed to use it, I twisted it again. :(

Tim

[junkyman]

as far as the foot protectors go, my sensei says that in a tournament you can use a heel protector or a Tabi, but only on one foot- not both. I don't know about other types of protectors though. As far as muscle and joint supporters go I doubt there are any limitations. I myself use an ankle brace on my right ankle due to a bad injury I had a few years ago, ond on my left calf I use a big blue neoprine supporter because I had a minor tear in my calf muscle.

[gill]

Originally posted by samurai999
I always used an ankle brace because I injured my left ankle playing bball and used it to support my left leg playing kendo. The one time I wasn't allowed to use it, I twisted it again. :(

Tim

Tim,

Best to build up the strength again in your ankle, maybe cut down on the use of the protector for example don't use it for kihon, but put in on for gi-geiko, the slowly you can decrease your reliance on it. Also check that you don't have any scar tissue around your ankle. To cut a long story short, I sprained my ankle, didn't get proper treatment, which lead to other problems followed by masses of mis-treatment which lead to me dislocating my foot!! (no wanting to scare you or anthing...!)

Now I need to wear an ankle support when I train - not for my ankle, but for my foot - it's preventative - If I don't wear it, it dislocates again.

I have never had an issue in wearing the support at taikai - but I always ask permission, and explain the reason why I need it.

Gill :)

[StylophonePet]

Originally posted by gill


I sprained my ankle, didn't get proper treatment, which lead to other problems followed by masses of mis-treatment which lead to me dislocating my foot!!

Gill :)

Makes you wonder about doctors doesn't it?
Have the same problem Gill, only I haven't dislocated my ankle.
Luckily my gf is a physiotherapist
She told me that when you have sprained your ankle you usually lose one or two ligaments so in order to restore the strength in your feet you have to train the muscles, and let them take over a big part of your feets's flexiblility by way of "proprioseption training"
(sorry don't really know the exact translation) you can do this by , for example running and walking on beach sands....sounds easier than it really is.

But like Gill said, try not to rely too much on the brace, because then your muscles get all weak and you'll be farther from recovery than you where before

[samurai999]

Originally posted by gill


Tim,

Best to build up the strength again in your ankle, maybe cut down on the use of the protector for example don't use it for kihon, but put in on for gi-geiko, the slowly you can decrease your reliance on it. Also check that you don't have any scar tissue around your ankle. To cut a long story short, I sprained my ankle, didn't get proper treatment, which lead to other problems followed by masses of mis-treatment which lead to me dislocating my foot!! (no wanting to scare you or anthing...!)


Gill :)

I wish it were that easy.. As a result of this ankle injury ( dislocated my left ankle twice in college playing bball) my eversion (outer flexing??) is abnormally large. It is not scar tissue that I'm worrying about, its rolling it when I plant my left foot whether in practice or tourneys. That is what the supporter is for. On top of that, the achilles thing happened, so I'm like an infirmary unit...
:(

Tim

[gill]

slightly more than just a sprain then Tim? actually I know how you feel, as I am hyper-mobile (my joints bend slightly further in the wrong direction than is normal) which basically means I am injury prone :hurt:

In that case, at Gradings/Taikai I'd suggest approaching the head referee before the competition starts and explain your injury in graphic detail.

Gill :D

[Ryukyu]

Originally posted by gill


Best to build up the strength again in your ankle, maybe cut down on the use of the protector for example don't use it for kihon, but put in on for gi-geiko, the slowly you can decrease your reliance on it.

Does anyone think the same applies to an achilles support?
I've stepped awkwardly before and kind of strained it, but have been lucky enough so far not to tear it. It's sore for a few days, but then it recovers.
Would it be OK to use as a preventive support or do you think it will make the area weaker?