Sparring: Headgear vs No headgear

[Eastbound]

Thoughts?? I'm leaning towards sparring with headgear as the safer choice. I still see most of the pro's still using them in sparring.

[Longhaul]

Always use headgear when sparring.Most times when sparring unless your a an established pro you will be sparring with people of different exp. levels and demand they wear headgear also.Ive seen on more than one occasion nasty head clashes by inexperienced amateurs who tried to be cool not wearing the gear.Im not going to go into the other obvious benefits because there are people who will swear headgear makes things worse.As an amateur with a few different coaches and different gyms it was never an option offered by my coaches.I always see guys on here asking questions am I ready to spar ect. This is the question a qualified coach should be able to answer .

[giant_king]

These guys are already killing brain cells in their fights no need to kill more during sparring lol

[Eastbound]

Why was headgear banned in Olympic boxing? And this was backed by a study where they determined there are less concussions without headgear? Yeah I don’t get it. Just seems ridiculous. Does anyone here really spar without?

[Redd Foxx]

Pros use headgear so that they don't get cuts which can cause a fight to be canceled.
Headgear causes you to get hit more because it's bulky. You can't slip or roll with punches very well because everything catches the headgear and rattles your head when it does.
Also, brain trauma is caused by the brain hitting the walls of the skull. Headgear does nothing to stop this from happening and it might actually be worse because you're unable to slip punches as well.
To guard against cuts though, it's great.

[HeadBodyBodyBody]

headgear is only absolutely necessary to avoid cuts before a fight. with headgear on, you will get hit more... at a certain level, sparring, if done right, is not about gym wars, but it is about mutual respect, and tuning up. most of the time, i don't believe sparring necessitates wearing headgear, but people have different opinions. another thing is that wearing headgear can make you complacent, last thing you want

[HeadBodyBodyBody]

Pros use headgear so that they don't get cuts which can cause a fight to be canceled.
Headgear causes you to get hit more because it's bulky. You can't slip or roll with punches very well because everything catches the headgear and rattles your head when it does.
Also, brain trauma is caused by the brain hitting the walls of the skull. Headgear does nothing to stop this from happening and it might actually be worse because you're unable to slip punches as well.
To guard against cuts though, it's great.

yep, agree with this, it's just to avoid cuts mainly

[markyod]

Gym I use to go to you had to wear head gear, but with my new gym I prefer not to use it, I get hit less, I have more vision and I dont have it irritating my head/skin.

Ive tried few different types of headgear and have good quality winning headgear but end up taking it off after 2-3 rounds every time i try to use it and feel much better without.

[OctoberRed]

I always use headgear after watching a guy get a very bad cut over the eye

[Eastbound]

I guess its debatable. I see both sides, however its kind of hard to accept that without headgear would be the all around "safer" choice. I started working out at a new gym where headgear is optional and was honestly surprised at this. I wish more people would chime in on this thread and give their opinion