Arnis sparring equiptment. Any Recommendations?

E

EQUALIZER

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Aug 14, 1999
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First time back in a looong time. Good to be back!
I have a question for you all. My students are ready for sparring and I want to get 3 sets of pads, etc. for multiple opponent training. I've got the sticks covered. My biggest concern is head gear. We have the simple standard padded boxing helmets, but nothing with face protection. I don't like the hocky style masks, because the visually obstructed bars. Has anyone used, say, riot helmets, or something similar w/replaceable, clear face protection and lite wt. hardshell? Prices?

Any other gear, esp. chest/ab protection info also appreciated.

Thanks alot,

Frank
 
Sabre Masks, good padded gloves i.e. hockey gloves or get the dogbrother gloves...and thats it! I'm not a proponent of alot of padding during stick matches...love to feel that sting, makes you know your alive.
 
The problem most people run into with the clear shield facemasks are that they fog up. I use a hockey mask w/ metal cage, I know of other folks who use standard screened fencing masks. Yes, the metal bars/screen do obstruct a bit, and the side protection gives you a bit of tunnel vision. However, I'd argue that in a real confrontation, you'd have serious tunnel vision anyway. People who are experienced at sparring are relaxed and can use their full peripheral vision, which they wouldn't be able to use in a real confrontation -- arguably, for those people, having some visual obstruction is more realistic than having full peripheral vision.

Joe
 
guromkb,

Here's an article that I found. http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200408/s1174494.htmThere's nowhere in my town where I can try them on. How's the visibility? etc.

First Posted: Thursday, August 12, 2004 . 06:08:26 (AEST)

Fencers slam controversial new sabre masks
A new fencing mask introduced for Athens Olympics sabre events has been criticised by competitors for giving poor visibility and making breathing difficult.

Canadian Michel Boulos said overnight that he was only using the new mask because it was compulsory.

"I tried it but I didn't like it so I didn't use it," he said.

"You can't breathe properly, the visibility is difficult and the visors get so scratched that you have to change them every tournament.

"You can also find things like lighting in the hall and reflections playing tricks on your eyes."

Cuban Candido Maya agreed. "It is very hot with no air and you do get a lot of scratches," he said.

The change of mask, in which the traditional grill is replaced by a lexan faceplate, has been introduced for the Olympics to allow TV viewers see the eyes of the fencers.

In the past, fencers were awarded a point for striking the whole of the mask. Now the target zone has been reduced to the area around the faceplate.

Boulos, however is not moved by the theory that it will improve television.

"The sport is so fast that I am not sure you will even see the eyes during the action," he said.

Some fencers, however, believe that the transparent mask is an improvement.

"I think they are good because you can seen better," Italian Luigi Tarantino said.

"Instead of looking through a mesh it is like you are looking through glass.

"They do get scratched which means you need to change the visor every tournament, but they are not hotter than the other mask and the problem of fogging is easily solved by using a special liquid at the start of the day."

The new masks will only appear in the sabre, but if the experiment is a success they are likely to be introduced in the foil and epee in time for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

The men's sabre takes place on Saturday, Greek time.

-- Reuters

Joe,

Thanks for the info. How about the clear masks w/vented bottom?
I'm going to get hocky/ lacross gloves.

Best regards
 
I've heard that the sabre/fencing masks would offer the best visability, but would dent very easily and need to be replaced much sooner. I like those, but my school will only have funds to purchase a single lot of eqpt. then may not have the ability to purchase again, unless its out of pocket. We just went through a big transition, and its a long story. So, I was looking at ballistic masks, hoping that the face shields would not be too expensive to replace periodically out of pocket. I also hear of a spray on that prevents fogging. Any other ideas/comments?

Thanks!

eq
 
We've decided to go w/lacross gloves, and a new aquaintance tells me that he will be bringing some Arnis sparring body armor to my school some time in February! I've not seen, but have been told that the Filipino "Arnis" helmets are the best to use and resemble Kendo helmets, the kind w/ bars in the face mask; however, they have more padding. Is anyone familiar w/these, primarily visability? Thanks!

eq
 
other folks who use standard screened fencing masks. Yes, the metal bars/screen do obstruct a bit, and the side protection gives you a bit of tunnel vision. However, I'd argue that in a real confrontation, you'd have serious tunnel vision anyway. People who are experienced at sparring are relaxed and can use their full peripheral vision, which they wouldn't be able to use in a real confrontation -- arguably, for those people, having some visual obstruction is more realistic than having full peripheral vision.

Joe[/QUOTE]
very good point on tunnel vision...some of my students have experienced this on their first time sparring. as time goes on though they are able to relax and perceive more. on multiple attackers drill...it also helps teach you to move the whole body more when seeking out the rest of the attackers thus giving you a unified movement and greater balance.
 
[QUOTE=EQUALIZER]We've decided to go w/lacross gloves, and a new aquaintance tells me that he will be bringing some Arnis sparring body armor to my school some time in February! I've not seen, but have been told that the Filipino "Arnis" helmets are the best to use and resemble Kendo helmets, the kind w/ bars in the face mask; however, they have more padding. Is anyone familiar w/these, primarily visability? Thanks!

eq[/QUOTE]

too heavy and cumbersome...offers good protection, but don't do thrusts to the face. often times when the person tries to evade the thrust the weapon can sneak up under the padding protection of the throat.
 
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