I've recently started training for an amateur MMA tournament and have found that using my big clunky muay thai shin guards are useless when trying to do ground work.

I have so far looked at the Title MMA and Combat Sports grappling shin & instep guards and am looking for recommendations. Mind you, I have freakishly large calf muscles, these things are frickin huge so slip on is fine as long as they can sheath these barrels I have for legs.

Well if they're allowed you can go with the soft style shinguards - yes they'll offer less protection but if you mainly train in thai going up against MMAers shouldn't cause you much problems. And during the fight you probably won't feel much anyway.

Im also looking a new set of shinys. I have some old foam centuarys and they just roll around my leg all match. I need something a little more secure. It starts off being a shin guard and ends up being a calf guard. Any recomendations?

Shin guards are allowed in the tournament, but you're right, maybe I'll just grit my teeth and bare the pain and use some cloth shin guards. Really do like those grappling shinguards though... heh...


Im also looking a new set of shinys. I have some old foam centuarys and they just roll around my leg all match. I need something a little more secure. It starts off being a shin guard and ends up being a calf guard. Any recomendations?

I live in Los Angeles, so I have a local martial arts/boxing store that makes their own equipment that I swear by. There's a lot of good equipment out there, but I'd stay clear away from the Everlast shinguards. I tried them on and broke them just trying to secure them... I blame my genetics...

Funny enough, but one of our younger guys got a good taste of some tough leg sweeps one night and didn't like it. He came back with soccer-shinpads that no one really noticed him wearing except for the distinct "CLAP" sound it made when you hit them. (I think he's got new foam ones, I'll see if I can't find out what type on Monday)

I have a pair of the Combat Sports guards and they're awesome. They fit well, don't move around too much (unless you're battering the heavy bag) and aren't too bulky. I find I can pretty much grapple the same with them on as off.

Ill have to check those out RobT thanks.

http://dalmatianalley.com/marine.htm

:qright3: one bad mother fucker

http://dalmatianalley.com/marine.htm

:qright3: one bad mother fucker

rofl, don't think those are legal for the Pankration tournament... too bad ass

I have the Combat Sports MMA shinguards, and I like them a lot. Especially considering my previous footwear was TKD shinguards and full contact booties.

They take a while to get broken in, and I had a bit of a hard time getting them on and off at first, and I have pretty slim calves. I can't really tell how much the calf room will flucuate by size, though.