Uniform (gi):
The uniform should be comfortable and allow for full range of motion. It shouldn't be too tight or too loose. The pants should reach the ankles without covering the foot. The jacket should cover the hips and fit smoothly across the stomach and shoulders. Also, make sure sleeves are the correct length. Sleeves of the uniform should be no more than 4 fingers from the thumb and should not touch the hand when unrolled. Rolled sleeves can be dangerous for grappling, so please get them hemmed instead of rolling them up if the sleeve is too long.
To clean the uniform, wash in cold water and hang to dry. Putting your uniform in the dryer is not recommended as it may cause the uniform to shrink. If you have blood on your gi, the uniform must be pretreated before washing. It is recommended that you use hydrogen peroxide to remove blood from a white gi.
If you have a hakama for kenjutsu, this must be handwashed. It is important to take care not to get the back support of the hakama wet. The inside of this part is often made of cardboard and will break down if you get it wet. Before drying the uniform, fold the pleats into place and then clip them together with a clothes pin at the bottom. Then hang the hakama to dry. Be sure to fold the hakama right away after drying to maintain the pleats.
The uniform should be comfortable and allow for full range of motion. It shouldn't be too tight or too loose. The pants should reach the ankles without covering the foot. The jacket should cover the hips and fit smoothly across the stomach and shoulders. Also, make sure sleeves are the correct length. Sleeves of the uniform should be no more than 4 fingers from the thumb and should not touch the hand when unrolled. Rolled sleeves can be dangerous for grappling, so please get them hemmed instead of rolling them up if the sleeve is too long.
To clean the uniform, wash in cold water and hang to dry. Putting your uniform in the dryer is not recommended as it may cause the uniform to shrink. If you have blood on your gi, the uniform must be pretreated before washing. It is recommended that you use hydrogen peroxide to remove blood from a white gi.
If you have a hakama for kenjutsu, this must be handwashed. It is important to take care not to get the back support of the hakama wet. The inside of this part is often made of cardboard and will break down if you get it wet. Before drying the uniform, fold the pleats into place and then clip them together with a clothes pin at the bottom. Then hang the hakama to dry. Be sure to fold the hakama right away after drying to maintain the pleats.
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Mouthguard:
A well-fitted mouthguard is essential for any combat sport. It should cover the upper teeth and be comfortable to wear. If the mouthguard is a boil-and-bite type, ensure it is molded correctly for a snug fit. As your child grows, their mouth will grow as well, so it is important to make sure the mouthguard is fitting correctly. If they have lost a tooth, grown new teeth, or grown significantly in height, a new mouthguard is probably in order. I recommend buying and fitting a new mouthguard at least once a year and cleaning your mouthguard in between. Mouthguards can be cleaned by brushing with toothbrush and toothpaste for routine cleaning. At least once a month, drop your mouthguard overnight into denture cleaner to keep it fresh and sanitary. If your child wears braces or has special mouthguard needs, please see your dentist or orthodontist for help with fitting and care. |
How to Fit Your Sisu Mouthguard
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Headgear:
Headgear should fit snugly, but not tight. Properly fitted headgear should cover the forehead, temples, ears, and back of the head without being overly loose or tight. The straps should be adjustable and secure. Check for wear and tear on the straps, and for large cracks in the foam. A few minor cracks are ok, but major cracks are a sign you need new gear.
To clean your headgear, a sanitary wipe such as a Lysol wipe is the easiest way to do so. Simply wipe down the inside of your gear and let airdry. Please note that the sparring gear must stay wet for a short period of time for the sanitizer to work. Please read your wipes directions for how long to keep it wet.
Headgear should fit snugly, but not tight. Properly fitted headgear should cover the forehead, temples, ears, and back of the head without being overly loose or tight. The straps should be adjustable and secure. Check for wear and tear on the straps, and for large cracks in the foam. A few minor cracks are ok, but major cracks are a sign you need new gear.
To clean your headgear, a sanitary wipe such as a Lysol wipe is the easiest way to do so. Simply wipe down the inside of your gear and let airdry. Please note that the sparring gear must stay wet for a short period of time for the sanitizer to work. Please read your wipes directions for how long to keep it wet.
Handgear:
Gloves that are too loose or too tight can affect performance and protection. If your child's knuckles aren't properly protected, it's time for an upgrade. A good fit means the glove covers the knuckles completely without being overly bulky. The fingers should fit comfortably without being cramped. Straps should attach firmly to the Velcro, and there should be no cracks in the gloves. Check that finger and thumb loops are firmly attached as well.
Cleaning the hand gear is best done the same way as the head gear if it is vinyl covered foam, but if you have cloth hand gear you will have to handwash the gear with a mild detergent and let it air dry. Do not fully submerge the gear as it may cause the gear to mold. Drying is best done in a well ventilated area with moving air.
One other trick, is to spray the gear with either vodka (I know weird, but it works) or with Febreze. To be honest, the vodka actually works better. Just mist your gear with normal spray bottle filled with vodka, and let air dry. Or if you would rather use the Febreze, do the same. Mist and let dry before putting back into your bag.
Gloves that are too loose or too tight can affect performance and protection. If your child's knuckles aren't properly protected, it's time for an upgrade. A good fit means the glove covers the knuckles completely without being overly bulky. The fingers should fit comfortably without being cramped. Straps should attach firmly to the Velcro, and there should be no cracks in the gloves. Check that finger and thumb loops are firmly attached as well.
Cleaning the hand gear is best done the same way as the head gear if it is vinyl covered foam, but if you have cloth hand gear you will have to handwash the gear with a mild detergent and let it air dry. Do not fully submerge the gear as it may cause the gear to mold. Drying is best done in a well ventilated area with moving air.
One other trick, is to spray the gear with either vodka (I know weird, but it works) or with Febreze. To be honest, the vodka actually works better. Just mist your gear with normal spray bottle filled with vodka, and let air dry. Or if you would rather use the Febreze, do the same. Mist and let dry before putting back into your bag.
Foot Protection:
These are the item that seem to need replacement the most often. It’s amazing how fast a child’s foot grows as they get older. Foot gear should fit snugly without being uncomfortable. If they're too big or too small, they won't provide proper protection. Foot protectors should cover the entire foot, including the toes. They should fit snugly but not restrict movement. Generally, the foot gear should match your child’s shoe size, but a size larger to give them room to grow is ok. As long as it doesn't impede their ability to move easily, a little too big is ok.
Cleaning your footgear is almost exactly the same as cleaning your handgear.
These are the item that seem to need replacement the most often. It’s amazing how fast a child’s foot grows as they get older. Foot gear should fit snugly without being uncomfortable. If they're too big or too small, they won't provide proper protection. Foot protectors should cover the entire foot, including the toes. They should fit snugly but not restrict movement. Generally, the foot gear should match your child’s shoe size, but a size larger to give them room to grow is ok. As long as it doesn't impede their ability to move easily, a little too big is ok.
Cleaning your footgear is almost exactly the same as cleaning your handgear.
Shin Guards:
Most of our students don’t wear shin guards during sparring, but if they do, sizing is important. If the shin guards are slipping down or don't cover the entire shin, they're no longer effective. The shin guards should extend from just below the knee to the ankle. They should fit snugly but allow for full range of motion. If using a shin and instep protector such as those we use for sport jujitsu, make sure the instep cover is not too tight to allow for easy movement. Look for wear on the seams of shin guards especially as that is the point they are most likely to fail.
Cleaning is best done the same way as cleaning your footgear.
Most of our students don’t wear shin guards during sparring, but if they do, sizing is important. If the shin guards are slipping down or don't cover the entire shin, they're no longer effective. The shin guards should extend from just below the knee to the ankle. They should fit snugly but allow for full range of motion. If using a shin and instep protector such as those we use for sport jujitsu, make sure the instep cover is not too tight to allow for easy movement. Look for wear on the seams of shin guards especially as that is the point they are most likely to fail.
Cleaning is best done the same way as cleaning your footgear.
MMA (Sport Jujitsu) Gloves:
These gloves are limited to our students over age 13 but sizing is still important, especially for quickly growing teen students. Like regular boxing gloves, MMA gloves should fit snugly but allow for a full fist. If they're too loose or too tight, it's time for a new pair. The gloves should cover the knuckles and wrist without being overly bulky. Wear on the seams around the knuckles is the most common problem so keep an eye out for holes and cracks.
Cleaning is done the same as sparring hand gear. These gear pick up odors quickly so make sure to wash them regularly and store them in a place they can dry quickly.
These gloves are limited to our students over age 13 but sizing is still important, especially for quickly growing teen students. Like regular boxing gloves, MMA gloves should fit snugly but allow for a full fist. If they're too loose or too tight, it's time for a new pair. The gloves should cover the knuckles and wrist without being overly bulky. Wear on the seams around the knuckles is the most common problem so keep an eye out for holes and cracks.
Cleaning is done the same as sparring hand gear. These gear pick up odors quickly so make sure to wash them regularly and store them in a place they can dry quickly.