What are the wrestling headgear and mouth guard rules?

What does the NCAA men’s book require for ear protection?

A protective ear guard shall be worn anytime live wrestling takes place, including practice, dual meets and all collegiate and open tournaments. The requirement does not apply to drilling or the warm-up before competition. The ear protection should provide adequate protection, not be an injury hazard to the opponent, and have an adjustable locking device that prevents it from coming off or turning on the head.

The use of tape or decals on the ear protection is prohibited. Clean, fresh athletic tape is permissible if used for medical purposes only and must be removed and replaced before each subsequent match.

What about mouth guards?

Article 2 of the special equipment section says it is recommended that all wrestlers wear a protective mouth guard. It is a recommendation in the NCAA men’s book, not a requirement. The NFHS page checked for this page does not list a mouth guard.

Because individual states, leagues and youth organizations add their own requirements, a family should ask the coach or host whether a mouth guard is required for a given event.

How do hair coverings and special equipment fit?

Hair coverings, face masks, pads and braces are special equipment. Equipment that does not allow normal joint movement, prevents the opponent from applying normal holds, or is excessively loose-fitting is barred. Legal hard or abrasive equipment must be covered and padded with high-density foam.

Solid, non-abrasive hair coverings are allowed if they are part of the ear guard or worn under it, and a hair covering is treated as special equipment for delay-of-match purposes.

What does the dated NFHS text say?

The NFHS page reproduces Rule 4, Section 1, dated January 3, 2017, with no season stated. It says ear guards must be rigid, padded and manufactured for wrestling, with adequate protection, no injury hazard to opponents and an adjustable locking device.

Because the page is older than the current season, a school host should check the current NFHS rules book and the state association before ruling on a piece of equipment.

The full uniform comparison is on the uniform rules page. Read uniform rules.

What happens if equipment is not compliant?

The NCAA book gives the referee authority to decide the legality of uniforms, equipment and appearance. A wrestler ready to wrestle but out of compliance is charged a nonbleeding injury timeout while the problem is corrected, and a wrestler not in compliance after 1½ minutes is disqualified from the match.

Hosts can avoid delays by publishing equipment rules with the weigh-in schedule. Smart Wrestler does not inspect equipment; the referee does.