By: Kadeyn Rabbers
In girls wrestling there are multiple things you need to be able to wrestle. I talked to one of the high school girls wrestling schools and this is what I gathered. The gear needed includes: Singlet, compression gear, wrestling shoes, headgear knee pad, and lastly snacks and fuel and here’s why.
Singlet:
The signature uniform of the sport. Its tight fit keeps everything secure so athletes can move freely without worrying about fabric getting grabbed or shifting mid-match. A singlet is a wrestler’s signature you can tell by its unique look but it serves a purpose that is super important. Let’s say you where to wrestle In loose clothe like what you wear in everyday life that would be a big mistake considering clothes that you wear are usually loose and if you were to wrestle in those they could caught on easily by the opponent and cause problems maybe even injuries like broken fingers caused by fingers getting caught in loose clothes that is why wrestlers wear a singlet.
Compression Gear:
Most girls layer spandex shorts or a sports bra under the singlet for comfort, coverage, and confidence on the mat. This stuff is very important because if you can’t wrestle without, the compression gear prevents wrestler opponents from getting caught in loose gear which is resolved by tighter gear worn by wrestlers without spandex and other items you cannot wrestle.
Wrestling Shoes:
Designed for grip, flexibility, and speed. These lightweight shoes help wrestlers stay grounded and explosive during takedowns and scrambles. You need a good pair of wrestling shoes to help you attack and defend on the mat. Without the grip from the special wrestling shoes you’d be sliding around the mat and wouldn’t have any leverage to use to your advantage.
Headgear:
A must-have for protecting ears from cauliflower ears. It stays snug, absorbs impact, and keeps athletes safe through every scramble. Lets say you were to wrestle without headgear which is illegal in high school your ears would go through so much you would get something called cauliflower ear which is where your ears fill with fluid and they expand like small balloons. That is why head gear is crucial in a high school wrestler’s bag.
Knee pad (Usually Just One):
Typically worn on the “shooting leg” the leg that hits the mat most often during take downs. It adds cushioning and prevents mat burn. This is in every girls wrestler bag without your shooting leg knee would probably have a lot of irritation from dragging the mat. It is super essential in wrestling
Snacks & Fuel:
Energy is everything. Wrestlers stash quick bites like granola bars, fruit, or electrolyte packets to stay sharp through long tournaments and back-to-back matches. Like I said, energy is everything and that goes for all sports but if you want to win you better bring the energy and you can obtain it by keeping snacks in your bag and staying hydrated.
All the gear you can find in a wrestler’s bag is stated above and each thing helps a wrestler in its own way.