In my experience, there is obviously favoritism for kicks both on the judges and competitors end.
but even given no favoritism or bias, it would be difficult to score punches.
1. They ask for what I would call a good wallop of a punch.
-good contact on a light, snapping kick that hits with say 10 points as far as force goes, will probably score. but if you connect with a punch that would qualify as 10 points on that same force scale. They aren't going to
score it. You've got to nail em with that punch.
Any regular punches, that you can execute with speed and would normally do damage to maybe an
unprotected opponent or would certainly damage someone's face aren't going to cut it when hitting that chest
protector and hoping to score. They are wanting to see one of your heavier/heaviest punches
2. The chest protector.
-even if it didn't score a good body shot goes a long way. But it's difficult to enough compression through the
chest protector to give the desired effect on your opponent. Again UNLESS you're throwing one of your
heavier punches and nail em.
3. The punch must connect to the front of the torso WITH A STRAIGHT OR MOSTLY STRAIGHT ARM to score.
-as if it wasn't difficult enough to deliver decent power with speed through the chest protector and hopefully score, they want to see you connect with a straight punch to the front of the body. So no hooks.
4. Distance.
-This straight arm things pretty much eliminates close range punches. It sets you at a distance that still leaves
room for your opponents kicks.
Grounding yourself enough or exploding forward enough to deliver a powerful straight punch to the front of your opponents body, through the chest protector hoping to do damage or score, all the while they are trying to kick you in the face or anywhere else is just too great a risk for most. To pull it off: the timing, distance, and pre/post movement would have to be really well executed, or else you'd pay the price. Lots of guys dont want to take the time to train for that.
