DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Simply TKD (Taekwondo)
HTML https://simplytkd.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Taekwondo in General
*****************************************************
#Post#: 357--------------------------------------------------
Protecting the Athletes?
By: Ladytkd Date: August 1, 2014, 11:09 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Recently the boards have been lighting up with a conversation on
ditching JSR (Junior Safety Rules) so that the cadets will have
equal footing with the international crowd. This was countered
with not everyone competes at that level and frankly, JSR gives
an illusion of safety to the parents who pay the bills.
I see both sides of the argument. How can USAT compete on an
international level with the pipeline not training full contact?
I have had the thought at times that JSR and no head kick rules
actually hurt the kids because they are taught that they won't
get kicked or hurt and then oopps accidents happen at Nationals
and they don't know how to deal. Both sides have valid
arguments.
The new head mask/helt/face protector seems like it is yet
another panacea to the parents as according to a post I read by
Trish Bare-Grounds on this discussion, it mostly protects the
athlete who is kicking. It does not protect from concussions,
dislocations or fractures.
I can quote studies that show TKD is a violent sport that has a
lot of injuries. One of the more interesting notes was the more
experienced one is, the more experienced competitors have more
injuries because they spend so much more time at it. I would
have thought the newbies because they don't have the techniques
down. I have read claims that TKD has twice the concussion rate
as football. I can argue that some of the studies were done in
countries where they don't wear mouthpieces which are considered
to help prevent concussions. However, like any viewpoint, you
can find a study that endorses your point of view, no matter
what side of the fence you sit.
Here is the reality check. You can't turn on any news sources
and not see something about kids and concussions. NCAA and the
NFL have already had suits against them. California and Texas
passed state laws that high school football can't practice full
out more than 1 or 2 days a week (depending on the state).
Ten years ago Henry Waxman and Jesse Jackson came after USAT
over kids and head kicks. Once they got their sound bite and
head kicks were eliminated for all kids under 14 (that changed
back not long after), they went away. Waxman and Jackson may be
out of the picture but I guarantee you, with TKD being in the
spotlight in 2016 for Brazil, this will come back. Legislators
like to be seen as proactive and protecting children. Parents
are moving kids into poomsae to avoid the "violence." You can
call them whatever you want and I have read some not to nice
characterizations but in order for Sport TKD or TKD to survive
in this world, the sport has to adapt. The elite fighting
machines are in the minority.
USAT has the opportunity NOW before things get out of hand and
some legislator takes over to study the issue, not a lip service
study, but a real study. Changes will have to be made, there
will be no getting around that. But making these changes in a
reasonable transition with reasonable actions is preferable to
getting the call from the Senator or Congressman de jour who is
going to protect the masses from the "violence" of TKD. In
today's climate, that could be no head kicks for anyone.
When the two class system was devised for USAT - World Class and
Grassroots - the thought was to give parents the choice - head
kicks, no head kicks, limited head kicks. Over the years, USAT
in its infinite wisdom has eliminated classes here and there.
Give the parents the choice. Let the parents decide the level at
which their child competes. This keeps unprepared kids who have
been tossed into a situation for which they are unprepared to
have a good time but not risk injury.
I am not proposing anything here except that USAT, for once, get
off its collective assets and get ahead of this issue before the
local, state and federal government step in. This is not a trend
issue - it is a real life problem that no one understands fully
except that it can impact the rest of your life. For once USAT,
be prepared. Have a plan and have the stats and documentation to
back it up. And someone check out if those helmets are worth
anything more than another cost to the parents. If they don't
protect against concussion, what good are they?
#Post#: 358--------------------------------------------------
Re: Protecting the Athletes?
By: Gorilla Date: August 1, 2014, 10:18 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
The long term effects of playing football as a young man still
plague...I have 3 surgeries that are most probably related to
playing football...two on my leg and one on my neck....
But I would play again....the team athletic experiences have
served me well in my life...and when my kids have the aches and
pains in latter life I bet they will feel the same! The
experience far out ways the pain..
Having sad that Ladytkd is right the climate requires change!
#Post#: 359--------------------------------------------------
Re: Protecting the Athletes?
By: Don Parker Date: August 2, 2014, 7:51 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I like the idea of institutionalizing choice. Over the years I
have worked with many kids that were intimidated by the prospect
of sparring competitively. Having the opportunity to
participate without the stress of facing a taller or more
experienced competitor attacking their head is the only way to
get them into the ring. Once they get some experience they
either get more comfortable with the risk or focus their
training on the non-sparring aspects of Taekwondo. I would hate
to completely lose that pathway.
Things are different, in my opinion, once the competitor puts on
a black belt. At that point they should be fully prepared for
all that Taekwondo sparring throws at them including protecting
their head.
I would advocate for institutionalizing choice for kids at the
color belt level but moving towards the international standards
at the black belt level.
Don
#Post#: 360--------------------------------------------------
Re: Protecting the Athletes?
By: Bagehot Date: August 2, 2014, 12:26 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote]I am not proposing anything here except that USAT, for
once, get off its collective assets and get ahead of this issue
before the local, state and federal government step in. This is
not a trend issue - it is a real life problem that no one
understands fully except that it can impact the rest of your
life. For once USAT, be prepared. Have a plan and have the stats
and documentation to back it up. And someone check out if those
helmets are worth anything more than another cost to the
parents. If they don't protect against concussion, what good are
they?[/quote]
The Governance Task Force Report strongly recommended that the
USAT establish committees of expert volunteers in a variety of
task areas to monitor and recommend best practices to the USAT
Board and leadership. USTU used to have a Medical Science
committee for this specific purpose. This is a typical missed
opportunity to have appointed one, let it gather literature and
opinions, and make recommendations.
-- Bagehot
*****************************************************