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Should I wear a cup for sparring? I've been getting interested in Karate sparring, but I'm still murky on some things.

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  • Yes............
    – Steve Weigand
    Dec 1, 2021 at 19:38
  • But if you don't, and you get kicked in the noogies, a sovereign remedy from my Korean-born Grand Master is to jump up and land on your heels, not the balls of your feet. A few of these really alleviate the pain. This is one of the more helpful tips I've seen him give over the years; usually we honestly hide any dings from him since he usually tends to press hard on suspected fractures or feet swollen by impacts, and once on a facial hornet sting he thought was the result of being hit with a knuckle. (It's horrifying funny if it doesn't happen to you.)
    – Amorphous Blob
    Jan 6 at 22:14
  • You’re right I should jump up and down ?. .
    – Josepsh
    Jan 20 at 14:37

5 Answers 5

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Absolutely. There's no reason not to; I've never had it interfere with kicking. I suppose some brands could be disagreeable to your particular anatomy, e.g., I had one once which was too "shallow", so I suspect that if I got kicked there it would have given shock waves through the entire package. If you try one and it's uncomfortable, just buy a different brand.

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  • At my school, you are required to wear a cup. Too many low blows to risk it. Always wear a cup. It's like a helmet, but for your privates.
    – Termato
    Jan 6 at 21:11
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Yes! Absolutely, whole-heartedly, 100% yesyesyes! I am, however, speaking as a man who loves his bits and wants them to remain functional.

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  • testicular hemorrhage is no joke.
    – EngrStudent
    Apr 26 at 13:23
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Not just for sparring, but for the entire train session, accidents do happen also when training. Even boxers put those on, all the more so you should.

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Yes. Even if you get bumped lightly and unintentionally, it will take the wind out of you. Feints to the groin are superb distractions, and if you step into it ...

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Today's groin protection is a far cry from yesteryear. They're smaller, more rigid and tougher and more comfortable.

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    This is not an answer
    – Alaychem goes to Codidact
    Dec 13, 2021 at 22:52
  • It is an indirect answer. Many folks don't like the cup because it chafes, or has a reputation of that. It is less bad at chafing, but much less painful to take a kick in the cup than a kick in the gonads.
    – EngrStudent
    Apr 26 at 13:24

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