Head guards protect your
head from concussions and serious head injuries during training and fighting.
For MMA fighters, a head guard is a must have. You need to keep in your mind
these factors before buying a head guard:
Comfort:
This is the most
important element while you are choosing a head guard. An uncomfortable head
guard will hinder your training. A comfortable head guard adds to your
confidence. Choose a head guard with smooth lining, adjustable chin strap and
appropriate size as per your head. A loose or too tight chin strap will make it
harder for you to focus.
Visibility:
You cannot defend
yourself against punches if your visibility is compromised. Head guards are
available with varying cushioning around the face. Cheek guards should curve
outside for better visibility.
Padding:
Padding of the head
guard gives protection against punches. Padding should be medium, neither too
light nor too dense will work. If its dense you will feel buried inside the
head protectors and too light padding will not protect you against hard
punches.
Quality:
When you are selecting a
head guard, choose the quality one with durability. You should check the
quality of its chin strap as poorly made chin straps damage within few months.
Coverage:
A good head guard should
cover forehead, cheeks, sides, chin and back of the head as these are prone to
injury. Some head guards have face bars which protect the nose of the user but
makes it difficult to watch counter-punches.
Size and Weight:
The size and weight of
the head guard notably affect the movement of head. Oversized head guard makes
athlete’s head vulnerable to punches. You should choose a lighter and tighter
head guard for better protection.
Personal Head Guard:
Buy your personal head
guard as its hygienic and proves to be an ideal fit. You do not want to share a
head guard which is sweaty, and don’t fit to your head.
Training vs.
Competition:
There is a difference
between training or sparring head guard and fighting head guard. Training head
guards are compact in shape and give more protection against all types of
shocks which one is expected to encounter in a training session. The fighting
head guards are lighter for giving greater head mobility to effectively avoid
punches.
A head guard should be used to protect your head from directs hits. Buy a head guard which is comfortable in use, does not hinder visibility and of a good quality.
