Using ear/head guard in Judo Newaza - opinion pls

[Xuzen]

Dear Kind Sirs,

I have been training in Judo (at the moment, concentrating in newaza) for the past months. In newaza training, very often my training partners (not sure with malicious intention or otherwise) rub their coarse dogi on my face/nose/ears. It is annoying like hell, and I have to go home after lessons with reddenned and painful ear lobes.

I have seen some of the collegiate wrestlers wearing ear/head protector... I think they are a good idea. What do you think? Can I use them in my judo class when I work on newaza randori? I have never seen judoka use them before in competition and I guess it must be disallowed by the rule.

My question remain, can I use the ear/head protector while in training/practice? Is it frown upon?

I can't ask my sensei as he is out out of the country for a week to referee an international event. My dojo mate just say they have never thought of such idea and ask me to just put up/bear with the discomfort.

Thanking you all in advance for answering.

[Brian R. VanCise]

You should be able to wear ear protection no problem. I cannot imagine your sensei minding even a bit. I have gone through several episodes of cauliflower ear and let me tell you that it is painful. I have also worn headgear to protect those ears and kept on training. Plus if you are experiencing alot of this you do want to protect yourself from cauliflower ears. If you have ever taken a look at alot of Collegiate wrestlers and looked at the deformity of their ears you will want to wear headgear to protect yours.

Brian R. VanCise
www.instinctiveresponsetraining.com

[Abbax8]

It is up to your sensei. Ask him when he gets back next week. It shouldn't be a problem.

Peace

Dennis

[Xuzen]

Brian and Denise,

Thank you. I will ask my coach once he gets back. Yes Brian, cauliflower ear (I am new to this term, it sound quite humourous) is a painful outcome of newaza training. I agree, I do not want to get some strange deformity of my appendages due to some hobby that I partake. I will be going to my local sport retailer and see if they have any.

Thank you all again.

[Aaron T Fields]

I have califlower ear from my time on the mat. It hurts like hell when it is "coming in." When I have an ear injury I often tape my ears, much like a rugby player, it works great.

Aaron Fields
Seattle Jujutsu Club, Hatake Dojo
Sea-Town Sombo
www.seattle-jujutsu.org