The original Greek wrestlers competed in the nude on sand. Over the years, the rules and organization of the sport have evolved. So has the equipment. Cultural norms, safety issues and enhanced performance have driven the change in wrestling gear over the centuries, with most of the improvements coming with the organization of high school competition during the 20th century.
Safety Issues
The most common wrestling injuries come from impact and trapped fingers. Impact injuries usually result from a harder than average or awkward fall, or from two wrestlers accidentally slamming their heads together. Trapped digits happen when a wrestler's fingers get caught in the other wrestler's clothing. When his opponent moves, the finger gets twisted and sometimes damaged. Toe injuries are also possible when wrestlers aren't wearing shoes.
Safety Gear
Wrestlers wear headgear to protect them from impact injuries to the head. These are padded harnesses that guard the ears and temple. The padding helps absorb some of the impact from accidental head butts. Because they cover the ears, headgear also prevents "cauliflower ear", unsightly keloid scarring of the ear caused by repeated impact to the cartilage there. The wrestling singlet is a stretchy, one-piece garment that resembles a one-piece women's bathing suit. The combination of its low surface area and form fitting fabric reduces the chances of an opponent getting his fingers caught in clothing. Though not mandated, many wrestlers also wear a mouthpiece and/or groin cup for extra protection.
Performance Gear
Wrestling shoes are the most common type of wrestling performance equipment. These shoes have very little padding on the sole, reducing the shoes' weight and allowing for better connection with the ground. The tread on the bottom of the shoe is designed specifically to grip the rubber surface of a wrestling mat, allowing wrestlers better traction and mobility.
Warm-Ups
The standard wrestling uniform is scanty, made of non-insulating material and worn in cavernous gyms. To keep wrestlers warm, most teams provide warm-up suits for athletes to wear between matches. These suits feature wide leg cuffs for quick removal over wrestling shoes and zipper fronts. Most teams provide matching warm-ups for all athletes to wear.
Gear for Injuries
Some injuries, such as a broken arm, prevent a wrestler from competing. For a minor nose break or stitches, a wrestler can wear a plastic face mask. These masks attach to standard head gear and look a lot like a hockey mask with fewer ventilation holds. This allows the wrestler to keep competing without risk of reinjury. Minor sprains and finger breaks can make wrestling very difficult, although some wrestlers will use athletic tape to stabilize the injured joint in order to keep competing. In some leagues known for dirty tactics, wrestlers have been known to tape an uninjured joint so their opponent will focus their aggression on the taped joint, leaving the untaped and injured joint alone.
References
- Andy Brick, Wrestling Coach, Hillsboro, OR
- All Star Activities: Wrestling FAQ
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