In addition to the billions of comments here and all over the internet a recent comment in the "How do I spar without getting hurt" thread re-established the question of Why do the WTF folks fight with their hands at their sides? I was reminded of a study I read recently that analyzed every kick, punch and penalty assessed, by weight division for both men and women during the 2004 Olympic games.
You can read the study at http://www.jcca-online.org/ecms.ashx/PDF/2009/2009-2/2004OlympicTaekwondoAthleteProfile.pdf if you are interested.
Of note are the following stats.
Not a single punch went for a point during the 2004 Olympics. This is changing though as I saw many punches score at the recent US Open. It is my opinion that as long as the lajust e-hogu is in use you will see more punches score just because referees are still required to push buttons with the LaJust crap errr I mean LaJust system and just by nature referees are going to want to be involved is the awarding of points so they will push buttons for punches, just to feel important and needed. Still you have to rock your opponent but if you land a good one I think the chances are better today than ever that a point will go up for a good punch.
Other stats of note with regards to the hands down method (offensive kicks only):
Male < 58KG - Body kicks = 89% / Head kicks = 11%
Male < 68KG - Body kicks = 97% / Head kicks = 3%
Male < 58KG - Body kicks = 96% / Head kicks = 4%
Male > 58KG - Body kicks = 92% / Head kicks = 8%
Total All Male Fights - Body kicks = 94% / Head kicks = 6%
Female < 47KG - Body kicks = 93% / Head kicks = 7%
Female < 57KG - Body kicks = 87% / Head kicks = 13%
Female < 67KG - Body kicks = 98% / Head kicks = 2%
Female > 67KG - Body kicks = 98% / Head kicks = 2%
Total All Female Fights - Body kicks = 94% / Head kicks = 6%
So maybe that will answer some of the questions about why those crazy WTF'ers fight with their "guard down".
You can read the study at http://www.jcca-online.org/ecms.ashx/PDF/2009/2009-2/2004OlympicTaekwondoAthleteProfile.pdf if you are interested.
Of note are the following stats.
Not a single punch went for a point during the 2004 Olympics. This is changing though as I saw many punches score at the recent US Open. It is my opinion that as long as the lajust e-hogu is in use you will see more punches score just because referees are still required to push buttons with the LaJust crap errr I mean LaJust system and just by nature referees are going to want to be involved is the awarding of points so they will push buttons for punches, just to feel important and needed. Still you have to rock your opponent but if you land a good one I think the chances are better today than ever that a point will go up for a good punch.
Other stats of note with regards to the hands down method (offensive kicks only):
Male < 58KG - Body kicks = 89% / Head kicks = 11%
Male < 68KG - Body kicks = 97% / Head kicks = 3%
Male < 58KG - Body kicks = 96% / Head kicks = 4%
Male > 58KG - Body kicks = 92% / Head kicks = 8%
Total All Male Fights - Body kicks = 94% / Head kicks = 6%
Female < 47KG - Body kicks = 93% / Head kicks = 7%
Female < 57KG - Body kicks = 87% / Head kicks = 13%
Female < 67KG - Body kicks = 98% / Head kicks = 2%
Female > 67KG - Body kicks = 98% / Head kicks = 2%
Total All Female Fights - Body kicks = 94% / Head kicks = 6%
So maybe that will answer some of the questions about why those crazy WTF'ers fight with their "guard down".
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