No matter what level of expertise you gain in the field of boxing, there is no denying the fact that injuries are common in this sport. It is something that one should accept and be aware of the damage it can cause to one’s body.
At the same time, there are ways in which one can minimize this damage by wearing suitable protective clothing while boxing. Headgear is one such essential aspect that helps you stay safe inside the ring. By choosing the correct boxing headgear, you can protect yourself from any kind of injury while playing your favorite sport.
Why the correct choice matters?
Even though boxing is no less safe than any other sport involving physical impact like football or hockey, boxing is unique in that conscious attacks on the body are an essential part of the game. Even more important is the fact that the common areas targeted in this sport are the skull, head and jaw, all of which are extremely critical parts of the body.
Safety and protection
Any serious damage to these can lead to disastrous consequences for one’s health. After all, the head is the site of all the sense organs of the body. This is why one should keenly choose their boxing headgear to maximize the protection available to the head and surrounding parts.
Good quality headgear is well designed. The cradle is the right size to support your jaw and skull while providing adequate cushion to soften the impact of any blow or punch on the face. Additional padding is filled in the spaces that protect your cheeks and head since these are the sensitive areas. The mouth, ears and eyes are left exposed.
Better concentration
Once you have the best quality headgear and are assured of your safety, you can then concentrate on improving your game and defeating your rival in the ring. The better the quality of your gear, the lesser the chances of any injury to the head.
Compliance with the rules
Another reason why you need to be careful in selecting your headgear is to comply with the boxing rules. Every boxing association has rules prescribing the right kind of headgear and they expect their players to adhere to those rules. If you compromise on the quality of your headgear, you might end up getting disqualified from the competition which could be disastrous for your boxing career. So it is simply not worth taking the risk by opting for any cheap, low-quality boxing headgear.
What makes the headgear perfect?
If you are into traditional boxing, then the right headgear for you would be something that maximizes protection and movement. This allows you to try as many maneuvers as you want in a match without putting your safety at risk. Such headgear surrounds your cheeks and skull, while exposing the rest of your face.
You can shield these exposed parts of the face with your hands. If you are more concerned about protecting your face, then you can go for a caged headgear which comes with a screen to protect the front of your face. It is a good idea to wear your headgear even while practicing so that you can feel comfortable in it during the main match.
Sparring is another critical activity during which you must always have your headgear on. You can have different headgear for when you are sparring compared to when you are actually competing in a match. This is because headgear worn during training has additional padding compared to the headgear worn during matches. Less padding allows greater freedom of movement while extra padding limits your ability to execute different moves. Always consult the competition rulebook to ensure that your headgear complies with the rules.
Also, choose headgear that fits properly and makes you feel comfortable. You don’t want to be distracted during a match by headgear slipping all over the place. It might even slip over your eyes and expose sensitive areas of your head and skull. Look for something that comes with adjustable straps to adjust the fit.
Conclusion
Along with a good headgear, you also need to get a good mouth guard to protect your teeth. You can also invest in guards for the hands and shins. You should also browse through various models to select one that fits within your budget and is a perfect fit.
