Theoratically it makes sense. Smaller contact area with the same amount of force is going to do a lot more damage. But how do you get around the "fear of jamming toes"?

I can handle a few little cracks on the shin; I don't know about broken toes. Is there any safe way to practice the roundhouse ball/toes jab in full contact without breaking toes? I swear by shin conditioning, I don't know about toes...

Yours in Budo

-raccoon

The wheel kick that starts as front then switches to roundhouse for fast fake out and the flying roundhouse E=MC squared (Mass times Speed equals power) All the mass is turning force into it with speed kick

Raccoon and all the toe jammers [IMG]http://www.fightingarts.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif[/IMG]
Why not wear shoes? In Kung Fu you practice this way. A lot of dojo's dont like it so you may not do it there but at home you can. In Moo Duk Kwan we keep the toes pointed towards your face so that your toes are always pointed towards you you have less chance of hitiing them on something since the ball kind of juts out there. It always hurts to jam a toe but doesnt it hurt when you punch in the face and your knucles swell? It doesnt keep you from punching does it? Dont toss the ball of the foot out of your arsenal it is a valuable weapon especially in TKD.

Tradition. That's all.

Sport, too, but in many TKD schools nowadays, people do a lot of the class in martial arts shoes.

It's also a finess thing. Like the rapier to the broadsword.

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I am not familiar with the "ball of the foot jab", the only time I practice it is during kihon and the rare join-dojo practices. My dojo doesn't use it much, I was told it doesn't do enough damage. And from what I've taken - I have to agree.

-raccoon

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Ball of the foot jab can be an awesome power kick or a great jab followed by a power kick (like jab - cross from boxing). I've studied Muay Thai for several years and I'm currently studying TKD, both styles can use the front kick very effectively. If you watch boxing you can see how some boxers only use the jab as busy work to setup power shots and others can really knock you out with the jab. The same can be said for TKD and Thai Boxers. I've seen many fighters get knocked out cold by a good front kick or get the wind knocked out of them then get punked by a good round kick. Just my thought and experience.

when i spar i use the top of my foot becuse its padded and i dont want to hurt anybody

when im in a match (full contact) or in a combat situation i use my shin.