Wrestling requires a high amount of physical strength, cardiovascular endurance and precision technique to be successful, but before you can ever step on the mat you need to be wearing appropriate clothes. The specifics of the wrestling dress code you must follow depend on the type of wrestling you are participating in and what the mandates are from the governing body overseeing your competition. The regulations for wrestling clothing help to create as safe of an environment as possible on the mat.
Singlet Cut
Whether you wrestle Greco-Roman or freestyle, the most important wrestling clothing regulations regard the style of your uniform, known as the singlet in wrestling parlance. In Greco-Roman wrestling, a wrestler must wear a singlet that covers his body and is cut above the knees. Freestyle wrestling is stricter, with the NCAA mandating that all singlets be cut higher than the armpit in the front and back and cut no lower than the midpoint between your waist and armpit on the side. You can wear a spandex-style shirt and shorts in substitution for a singlet at the college-level of wrestling, but they cannot extend past your elbows or knees.
Colors
At the college level and below in wrestling, uniforms can be any color, but the entire team must be matching. Wrestlers participating in or on behalf of USA Wrestling must wear a singlet that is a "distinguishable" shade of blue or red, according to the regulations of that organization. International wrestling laws created by FILA state that two competing teams shall wear either a red or blue singlet for competition and can never wear a singlet with a mix of both colors.
Shoes
Wrestling shoes must provide firm ankle support to prevent injury, and they cannot have a heel, nailed soles, buckles or any metallic parts whatsoever. These types of shoe styles present a significant danger for injury in a wrestling match. You must secure your shoe laces to your ankle with a hook-and-eye cloth like Velcro or wrap them in place using sticky tape. This regulation prevents unnecessary delays in the match due to untied shoelaces.
Protective Equipment
Light knee pads and mouth guards that do not contain any metal parts are allowed as part of a wrestler's clothing in a match. He may also wear a headgear if he chooses, though it is not mandatory for international or USA Wrestling matches. The ear protectors must be approved by the international wrestling body FILA and cannot contain metal shells. Any equipment that is not approved of before a wrestling match begins can lead to a wrestler's disqualification from competition.
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