2. Equipment
2.1 Mandatory Wrestler Equipment
- Headgear: Protective ear guards are mandatory in NCAA wrestling. This is a critical difference from UWW, where headgear is optional for senior-level competitors. Headgear must have a chin strap and be properly fastened. It must be approved by the manufacturer for wrestling use.
- Wrestling singlet: A one-piece uniform covering the torso from mid-thigh to the chest. The singlet must be school-issued and display appropriate school colors. Two-piece uniforms (compression shirt and fight shorts) are now permitted under current NCAA rules as an alternative to the traditional singlet.
- Wrestling shoes: Light, flexible shoes that cover the ankle. Shoes must not have buckles, zippers, or any protruding hardware that could cause injury. Laces must be secured (taped or tucked).
- Kneepads: Optional but commonly worn. If worn, they must be the standard, unaltered wrestling type without rigid stays or hard surfaces.
2.2 Personal Hygiene & Appearance
- Fingernails must be trimmed short and smooth.
- Wrestlers must be clean-shaven or have facial hair that is trimmed close and not abrasive. A referee may require a face covering for facial hair.
- Hair must be contained in a legal hair cover if it extends below the earlobes in the back, below the eyebrows in the front, or beyond the earlobes on the sides. Natural hair in its natural state is permitted under current rules.
- No jewelry, watches, or hard hair accessories are permitted during competition.
- Skin checks are conducted before competition. Any communicable skin condition (ringworm, impetigo, herpes simplex, MRSA) must be cleared by a physician with a standardized skin form.
2.3 Prohibited Equipment
- Greasy or slippery substances on the body
- Any equipment with buckles, hard plastic, or metal components
- Unapproved braces or supports with exposed hard materials (must be padded and covered)