what's the purpose of the clapper target paddles?

[Orionkeiji]

just wanted to know if there's any useful difference between the clapper target paddles vs. the single paddles?

[JStinson]

The clappers are good for young ones. It makes a clapping sound when hit thus giving the kids an idea they are kicking it harder. That is about it

[GranFire]

Not just the kids!

[Piston]

Actually I find that the porkchop shaped pads work better for axe kicks rather than the round target pads.

[Thai Bri]

"Work better?" In what way?

Surely it's you that should be doing the work.

[Piston]

I mean as in easier for the person holding it, because you can hold it by the handle letting it flop around rather than the shock going into the holders arm.

[WildWest.]

Those pork chop pads suck big time.

All that flapping nonsense does your technique little good IMO and shouldn't be used at all. When holding pads you should hold them solid so that the person feels some impact when hitting them. I'm sure pople will counter with "they are good for kids" well maybe but the kids class at our MT club use thai pads and focus mitts and they aren't complaining!

[JStinson]

Kinda hard to hold mitts and pads when you have someone learning how to do jump spinning kicks, well maybe not hard, but I don't want to stand that close.
By the way, kids won't complain if they know no different. If that is all you use, how would they know any different? Just curious.

[GranFire]

Those pork chop pads suck big time.

All that flapping nonsense does your technique little good IMO and shouldn't be used at all. When holding pads you should hold them solid so that the person feels some impact when hitting them. I'm sure pople will counter with "they are good for kids" well maybe but the kids class at our MT club use thai pads and focus mitts and they aren't complaining!

They are good, not just for the kids. Because when you don't hit hem right, you know, and if you do get it right the pop is very satisfying!

It's a tool among many. It depends on what you do with it!

[kuk sool won]

plus they allow the practioner to get the feel of following through without any real impact. I think that you need to 'learn' how to miss nearly as much as how to hit. You can adjust accordingly mid kick if you realise its going to miss or reposition your body after missing. It encourages good technique.

[WildWest.]

You all bring up good points in defence of them...but I'm sorry I still think they suck.

[lindz]

make a big clap which makes me feel like I'm good or something =), and hurt when kicked wrong. That's Lindsey's input on clapper pads.

[Klassh]

Just stick with the regular paddles. Yes it is annoying when you execute a swift and powerful kick and only get a "thuk" out of it. It makes you want to kick even harder and faster.

[wavyd]

We use them to learn accuracy which is a big part of TKD. Then use the big blue or red pads for power, or the heavy bag, or BOB. He's my favorite.

It's a tool to sharpen your skill level not the end all be all.

And WildWest your right I can't see any purpose for them in my MT training, but we're talking about Korean arts which generally use the foot for striking as opposed to the shin.

[WildWest.]

Wavyd. I have a BB in TKD also and we never used them when I was training in that style. Korean arts can also benefit from using thai pads, or even using a focus pad with a bit of weight behind it, as it will help those practitioners to hit harder and feel some impact.

I tried the clapper pads at a Hapkido club I went to last year as part of a joint training session between our Hapkido club and theirs. And I felt they sucked, they still suck and they will always suck. But that's my opinion.