Wrestling is a sport in which two opponents grapple against each other in an attempt to score points or pin one another's shoulders to the floor for victory. It is a very physical sport that requires the athletes to be in peak physical and mental condition. In addition, it requires all wrestlers to have proper safety gear to protect themselves and their opponents at all times from unnecessary harm.
Mat
The mat is perhaps one of the most important pieces of safety equipment used in wrestling. According to the American Sport Education Program in its book "Coaching Youth Wrestling," the wrestling mat is less than 4 inches thick and made of shock-absorbing foam covered in vinyl paint. This helps to soften any falls that may take place during the match, and also creates a surface that is washable before every competition to prevent the spread of disease.
Headgear
Similar to the mat, a head gear helps to protect a wrestler's head from collisions during a match. According to the USA Wrestling 2010 Rulebook, the headgear cannot contain hard shells or metal snaps that could injure an opponent. In addition to preventing hard blows to the head from causing concussions or other injuries, a headgear also prevents the soft tissues in the ear from becoming damaged and painfully filling with fluid, a condition commonly called cauliflower ear by wrestlers.
Shoes
Authors Thomas Ryan, Julie Sampson and Bruce Curtis state in their book, "Beginning Wrestling," that a wrestling shoe "should fit like a sock." The back-and-forth tussling of a wrestling match can easily result in ankle injuries if a wrestler is not wearing a properly fitted shoe. However, you must be careful not to use a shoe that is too tight on the foot or you may cut off circulation and reduce your mobility.
Specialized Equipment
Many wrestlers require additional safety equipment beyond what the standard considerations for the sport. This may include an athletic supporter, kneepads, protective goggles or elbow supports. Special safety equipment may need to be inspected before the match by referees and coaches to ensure that it meets the guidelines and regulations that the wrestling competition is sanctioned under.
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