Short answer. A belly pad is worn round the holder's torso and takes body punches, knees, teeps and body kicks while both hands stay free for Thai pads or mitts. A kick shield is a large pad held by its handles, tight against the body, and suits power kicks, low kicks and conditioning drills. Buy for the drills you already do: a belly pad if you hold Thai pads, a kick shield if you and a partner take turns kicking hard. Neither is sparring protection.
Belly pad vs kick shield
Both protect the person holding pads, but in different ways. A belly pad is worn round the torso, so both hands stay free for Thai pads or mitts. A kick shield is a big pad held by its handles, which the holder can move to the body, the side or the legs (MMA Warehouse, Fight Co).
| Belly pad | Kick shield | Thai pads | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it is held | Worn round the waist and ribs | Two handles or straps, held against the body | Strapped to the forearms |
| Takes | Body punches, knees, teeps and body kicks | Power kicks, low kicks, knees and conditioning rounds | Punches, kicks, knees and elbows |
| Holder's hands | Free for pads or mitts | Both on the shield | On the pads |
| What to check | Fit and closure | Handle layout and how you brace it | Shape, padding, straps |
From MMA Warehouse's belly pad guide, Fight Co's pad guide and Evolve University. For Thai pads themselves, see best Thai pads.
Which to buy first
MMA Warehouse puts it simply: buy for the drills you already do. Many pad sessions use both, but a new holder doesn't need both on day one.
- You already hold Thai pads. A belly pad. It adds a body target for teeps, knees and body shots between pad strikes, and the holder keeps the pads on (Evolve University, Fight2Win).
- You and a partner take turns, and you want hard kicks. A kick shield. It is the easier big target for power and conditioning drills, and nothing lands on the torso (MMA Warehouse, Fight2Win).
- You coach heavy hitters all day. Heavier coaching body armour, with thicker padding and raised sides (Blitz).
- You want protection for sparring. Neither. A belly pad is holder equipment, not body armour for uncontrolled power (MMA Warehouse). Sparring body protectors are a separate item, sized by the wearer's height (Blitz); see kickboxing sparring gear.
How to hold a kick shield
- Keep it tight to your body. Held out at arm's length, the shield slams back into you and moves on impact, so the kicking foot can slide off at an odd angle (Urban Tactics Krav Maga, Punch Equipment).
- Straight strikes: one hand on top, one underneath. Use this for front kicks, straight knees and straight punches (Punch Equipment).
- Round kicks: angle it. A roundhouse comes in from the side, so turn the shield to face the kick rather than your partner (Metrowest Kung Fu, Pacific Sports).
- Stand in a stance. Feet apart, knees slightly bent, rear leg pushing forward, elbows bent rather than locked. Never prop the shield on your knee (Punch Equipment, Pacific Sports, Metrowest Kung Fu).
- Meet the kick, don't block it. The shield should move a little with control. If your partner bounces back, you are pushing too hard; if you fall back, check your stance or ask them to ease off (Metrowest Kung Fu).
Wearing a belly pad
Agree the combination and how hard before the round starts. Keep the pad centred and stop if it rotates or comes loose. Build power only once both of you can place and take the strike cleanly (MMA Warehouse). A belly pad worn with Thai pads needs room to turn and frame, so check the whole setup, not the belly pad on its own (MMA Warehouse).
UK picks: Blitz
Blitz is a UK store and one of our partner stores. It sells two wearable pads for the holder and a strike shield in two face shapes.
Blitz Belly Protector
A belly pad for coaches and training partners in boxing, kickboxing and Muay Thai, worn round the midsection.
- Built to take uppercuts, knees, round kicks and body punches (Blitz)
- 7.5 cm foam across the midsection and sides, with focus targets on the face (Blitz)
- Adjustable Velcro fastening; Nama Hide synthetic leather that wipes clean (Blitz)
Blitz Coaching Body Armour
For coaches who take hard knees and round kicks all session and want more cover than a belly pad.
- 3 to 4 inches of padding, with raised sides and mid-section for strikes that come in at an angle (Blitz)
- Padded shoulder straps and double snap clips at the back (Blitz)
- One size; Nama Hide synthetic leather that wipes clean (Blitz)
Blitz Barricade Strike Shield (curved or flat)
Both shields have two handles and two adjustable straps, and can be held lengthways or on the side (Blitz).
- Curved face: shaped like a body, for uppercuts, angled strikes and full-power shots (Blitz)
- Flat face: an even target for kicks, punches, elbows and knees, and speed and stamina rounds (Blitz)
- Small 45 cm, medium 55 cm or large 65 cm long, all 36 cm wide and 13 cm deep (Blitz)
A longer shield covers more of the holder. Check stock for your size on the product page.
US picks: Revgear
Revgear, a US store and one of our partner stores, sells belly pads and kick shields for coaches.
Revgear Bodyguard or Thai Original Belly Pad
Two belly pads for Muay Thai and MMA coaches.
- Bodyguard: multi-layer dense foam over the abdomen and obliques, hook-and-loop straps (Revgear)
- Thai Original: handmade in Thailand, thick high-density foam, wide coverage of the torso (Revgear)
Revgear Combat or Deluxe Kick Shield
Two kick shields for coaches and heavy hitters.
- Combat: triple-stitched 22 oz vinyl-coated nylon, top, bottom and two side handles (Revgear)
- Deluxe: made in the USA, 22 oz abrasion-resistant shell (Revgear)
On Amazon (US)
If you are in the US and want other makes, check the strap layout and padding thickness on the listing.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Next
Pick the pads for the hands in best Thai pads or focus mitts vs Thai pads. Training alone? The heavy bag workout needs no holder.
FAQ
What is a belly pad used for?
A belly pad is worn round the holder's torso to take body punches, knees, teeps and body kicks. Because it is worn, the holder keeps both hands free for Thai pads or focus mitts.
Is a kick shield better than Thai pads?
They do different jobs. Thai pads take punches, kicks, knees and elbows and suit combinations. A kick shield is larger and built for repeated power kicks, low kicks and conditioning drills.
Should I buy a belly pad or a kick shield first?
Buy for the drills you already do. If you hold Thai pads and want body shots in the combinations, get a belly pad. If you and a partner take turns kicking hard, get a kick shield.
How do you hold a kick shield?
Tight against your body, never at arm's length. For straight strikes put one hand on top and one underneath; for round kicks angle the shield to face the kick. Stand in a stance with the rear leg pushing forward and elbows bent.
Can I wear a belly pad for sparring?
No. A belly pad is holder equipment for controlled drills, not body armour for full-power sparring. Sparring body protectors are a separate item, sized by height.
What size kick shield should I get?
Blitz's Barricade shields come 45, 55 or 65 cm long. A longer shield covers more of the holder; all three are 36 cm wide and 13 cm deep.
Sources
- MMA Warehouse, Belly pads for Muay Thai: fit, use and selection
- Fight Co, Muay Thai pads UK: Thai pads, curved pads and kick shields
- Fight2Win, Belly pad: types and use in pad training
- Evolve University, How to hold pads for Muay Thai
- Punch Equipment, Holding a kick shield
- Metrowest Kung Fu, Being a partner
- Pacific Sports, Improve your kicks with kicking shields
- Urban Tactics Krav Maga, Are you a good training partner?
- Blitz, Belly Protector
- Blitz, Coaching Body Armour
- Blitz, Barricade Curved Strike Shield
- Blitz, Barricade Flat Strike Shield
- Revgear, Bodyguard Belly Pad
- Revgear, Thai Original Belly Pad
- Revgear, Combat Kick Shield
- Revgear, Deluxe Kick Shield
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