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sheltrk
5/09/2007 4:42pm,
My apologies if this has been discussed before. I tried the "Search" function, but apparently "WTF" is too small a search word, and neither "Taekwondo gloves" nor "USAT gloves" were helpful to me. Anyway...

The current USAT rules (as of 29 March 2007) (http://www.usa-taekwondo.us/USAT_Rules_REVISE_March07_7.pdf) say that BB competitors *must* wear the new WTF/USAT approved gloves. Also the "foot socks" are optional under USAT , but are not allowed in international WTF competition. See extract below.

http://www.bullshido.net/gallery/data/500/USAT_Gloves_and_Socks.jpg


1) Has anyone used these gloves and/or socks? If so, what did you think? They look like MMA-style gloves to me.

2) Are there any US vendors selling them? I've found WTF-certified gloves for sale internationally, but nowhere in the US.

The new "glove" rules were supposed to go in effect about a year ago--surely somebody here has fought under them?

---
From the USAT rules:


Gloves and “Foot Socks”:
14-17 year old Black Belts and Senior Black Belts—WTF/USAT-approved Taekwondo
gloves are MANDATORY. Red, blue or white gloves can be worn. If the competitor
chooses to wear red or blue gloves, they must correspond with the chest protector color.
White gloves can be worn with a red or blue chest protector. If “foot sock” type coverings are
also worn, they must correspond with the color of the gloves.
Note: For 14-17 year old Black Belts and Senior Black Belts who move on to international
competition, please note that foot protectors are not allowed for international events.
All other divisions—WTF/USAT-approved Taekwondo gloves are optional. If the
competitor chooses to wear gloves, they may be red, blue or white. Red or blue gloves must
correspond with the chest protector color. White gloves can be worn with a red or blue chest
protector. If “foot sock” type coverings are also worn, they must correspond with the color of
the gloves.
Shin and instep protection guidelines are detailed in a separate paragraph.
---

JohnnyCache
5/09/2007 8:22pm,
Does this mean head punches are a go?

Or just that we need a LOT of protection for the ribs?

kwoww
5/09/2007 8:33pm,
I think this is just riding the MMA popularity wave, as I haven't seen any recent USAT sparring, and, if this is in association with the WTF, I can't imagine that they would start allowing punches to the head just like that. And besides, just about every "vital point" has gear over it anyway (hogu, helmet) or you aren't allowed to kick there.

meng_mao
5/09/2007 9:00pm,
Given the very little clinching you have in TKD, hell, the very little punching even, I don't see why you don't just give people boxing gloves. These things might look cool, but without wraps, I think it's asking for some people to punch harder but not smarter.

kwoww
5/09/2007 9:14pm,
I just realized something. Isn't "foot sock" a little redundant? I mean, maybe "guard sock" or "foot glove" or whatever, but "foot sock" sounds like... well... idiotic.

SOUL_FIGHTER
5/09/2007 10:43pm,
I like those footsocks

I'd wear those for MT

sheltrk
5/10/2007 9:19am,
Does this mean head punches are a go?

Or just that we need a LOT of protection for the ribs?
I think that the WTF wants to implement electronic scoring in the future, with sensors in the gloves, socks, hogu, and head gear. Maybe we'll see head punches allowed in the sport if/when the WTF/ITF merger happens, but I'm kind of doubting it. Personally, I think if the WTF wants to emphasize the kicking game over punching, they should just award more points for kicks--not just disallow punches to the head. But that's a topic for another thread...


Given the very little clinching you have in TKD, hell, the very little punching even, I don't see why you don't just give people boxing gloves. These things might look cool, but without wraps, I think it's asking for some people to punch harder but not smarter.
Back in the day (~1970s ?), when head punches were allowed in most full-contact TKD tournaments, I believe a lot of TKD orgs did spar with boxing gloves. It makes perfect sense to me.


I just realized something. Isn't "foot sock" a little redundant? I mean, maybe "guard sock" or "foot glove" or whatever, but "foot sock" sounds like... well... idiotic.
Agreed. I thought maybe it was a Korean->English translation problem. However, right now, "foot socks" are only allowed in USAT matches, and *not* in international WTF matches. I'm not really sure who came up with the term, but it's weird.

DerAuslander
5/10/2007 9:59am,
"Foot" "sock"...

Hello, department of redundancy department?

Liam Cullen
5/10/2007 2:20pm,
I just realized something. Isn't "foot sock" a little redundant? I mean, maybe "guard sock" or "foot glove" or whatever, but "foot sock" sounds like... well... idiotic.

It was to ensure people didn't mistake them for the WTF top selling range of "cock sock".

oldman34
5/10/2007 2:31pm,
Kind of like a "baby kitten"?

Liam Cullen
5/10/2007 2:33pm,
Kind of like a "baby kitten"?

If when you read tghe term 'cock sock' you think of "baby kitten" I think it's time you turned yourself over to the police.

oldman34
5/10/2007 2:47pm,
If when you read tghe term 'cock sock' you think of "baby kitten" I think it's time you turned yourself over to the police.


LOL.

I was actually refering to Ders/Errants post.

:happy6:

FickleFingerOfFate
5/10/2007 3:10pm,
I can't help it,


Every time I see the abbreviation WTF,



I don't think " World Taekwondo Federation"


I Think " What the **** " Tae Kwon Do


Which may not be far off....

DerAuslander
5/10/2007 3:12pm,
It was to ensure people didn't mistake them for the WTF top selling range of "cock sock".

The irony of that being that round these parts, we call condoms "hogu".

Never kyorugi without your hogu.

Liam Cullen
5/10/2007 3:35pm,
The irony of that being that round these parts, we call condoms "hogu".

Never kyorugi without your hogu.

At last I understand why you were so passionate in the thread about getting rid of hogus over on MAP.

DerAuslander
5/10/2007 3:51pm,
I was passionate about a lot of things on MAP.

For the most part, it was lost on them.