What Gear Do You Need For High School Wrestling?
High school wrestling is an amazing sport that will challenge you physically and mentally. To ensure you have everything you need to start your high school wrestling journey we are going to break down every piece of gear and equipment.
What Do You Need For High School Wrestling?
For high school wrestling you need:
- Wrestling shoes
- Wrestling singlet
- Athletic shorts (ideally without pockets)
- Headgear
- Tight fitting t-shirt
- Water bottle
- Mouthguard
- Kneepads
Do You Need Wrestling Shoes For High School Wrestling?
Wrestling shoes are compulsory for high school wrestling. You must wear specially designed shoes when training and competing in wrestling. Wrestling shoes not only support the athlete’s ankle and foot but protect the mat from damage and keep it hygienic.
Wrestling places significant amounts of stress on the ankle and foot. To protect wrestler’s feet they wear specially designed shoes.
Wrestling shoes are also very lightweight which comes in handy when you need to explode into a takedown or quickly change directions to avoid being scored.
On the sole of wrestling shoes you will find special rubber grip which allows high school wrestlers to maintain their balance no matter what direction they are moving and how fast they are travelling.
Wrestling shoes don’t just protect the athlete but they also prevent the soft mats from becoming damaged. Regular shoes can quickly destroy wrestling mats.
Wrestling shoes are also worn to prevent the spread of infections in wrestling clubs. Diseases and bacteria can be spread by people wearing shoes outside and then walking on wrestling mats. To prevent this wrestling shoes are only allowed to be worn on the mats.
If you are looking for the very best wrestling shoes to buy for high school wrestling then check out our in-depth guide. We reviewed the very best Nike and Adidas wrestling shoes.
Do You Have To Wear A Singlet In High School Wrestling?
High school wrestlers do not have to wear a singlet. They can now wear shorts with a rashguard. However, most high school wrestlers still opt to wear a singlet.
Some high school kids are conscious about their bodies and apprehensive about wearing a wrestling singlet. This was a big reason that back in 2017 singlet rules were changed and now high school wrestlers can wear shorts and a rashguard.
It is great that high school wrestlers now have a choice on what uniform they will to wrestle in. However, the trend of wearing shorts and a rashguard has been slow to catch on with most high school athletes still preferring the old school singlet look.
What Do You Wear To High School Wrestling Practice?
You should wear athletic shorts without pockets, a tight fitting t-shirt and your wrestling shoes. Don’t forget to bring your water bottle, headgear and mouthguard.
Most high school wrestlers just train in shorts and t-shirt. It is also common to train in a tracksuit if it is cold or you are trying to lose some extra weight.
Some high school wrestlers train in their singlet but this is not common. Don’t be surprised if you turn up in your singlet that some kids may clown on you. However, now it has become a trend to rock a singlet with a t-shirt over it!
Remember to always bring your headgear to practice because some strict coaches may not let you practice without it.
Staying hydrated while training wrestling is incredibly important which is why you need to bring your water bottle. Remember to sip water throughout practice so you don’t become dehydrated.
Is Headgear Required For High School Wrestling?
Pros Of Cliff Keen Signature Headgear
- Easy to clean
- Classic design
- Stays in place
- Comfortable chin strap
- Lightweight and cool
- Very durable
Cons Of Cliff Keen Signature Headgear
- Strap may wear out after frequent use
- Clasp is difficult to undo
Do You Have To Wear A Mouthguard In High School Wrestling?
Mouthguards are not compulsory for high school wrestling. However, as wrestling is a combat sport and injuries to the mouth and teeth do occur it is recommended you wear a mouthguard.
Do you really want to lose a tooth or spend thousands of dollars at the dentist because you were struck in the mouth by a wayward elbow, knee or you slammed your face into an opponent’s hip?
Dental injuries regularly occur in high school wrestling, to protect yourself you should always wear a mouthguard. This includes in competition and during training.
Wearing a mouthguard is slightly annoying at the beginning but before long you don’t even realize you are wearing it. Trust us wearing a mouthguard is lot less annoying then having your teeth replaced by a dentist!
Are Knee pads Required For High School Wrestling?
Knee pads are not necessary for high school wrestling. However, many kids choose to wear them to provide additional support to the knee to prevent swelling and abrasions from shooting takedowns.
Certain high school wrestlers can’t live without their knee pads. They claim they increase the speed of their takedowns while also providing great support to their knees.
If your knees are a little bit sore or you are tired of grazing your knees on the mat try out a pair of knee pads. They are pretty cheap so even if you don’t like them they won’t cause you too much financial stress!
The two best wrestling knee pads for high school wrestlers are Asics Sliders and Cliff Keen 2.0 Wraptor.
Pros Of Asics Sliders
- Great budget price
- Easy to slide on
- Lots of knee support
- Do not restrict movement
- Sleek design
Cons Of Asics Sliders
- No lateral support
- Can slide down after strenuous exercise
Pros Of Cliff Keen Wraptor
- Designed for wrestling
- Can easily change direction
- Great at preventing mat burns and abrasions
- Never have sore knees after shooting a takedown again!
Cons Of Cliff Keen Wraptor
- Can be hard to take off
- Are a little stiff
Wrapping Things Up!
Compared to other sports high school wrestling does not require much equipment. The only thing you really need are wrestling shoes, singlet and headgear. You can buy these 3 pieces of equipment for a total of $100 or less.