Head Gear is optional at the super 32 and most preseason tournaments are the same way. I believe that if it is a sanctioned High School event that head gear is mandatory. Other than that it is up to the tournament directors whether or not it is mandatory.

Some coaches say that headgear can be used against you by your opponent and I have seen it, but I would hope that our esteemed Referees would catch that.

Although Cauliflower ears have been a badge of honor in our sport, my kids will wear their headgear or suffer the wrath of their mother(ha ha).

Originally Posted by Wrestling_Prodigy

I was watching the super 32 tournament matches on flowrestling and I saw a lot of people that weren't wearing headgear. Are they not mandatory in that tournament? How about in regular dual meets and local tournaments, etc...?

They are not mandatory, only optional. I personally think that they should be made mandatory. Its just to much of a risk on a young man's life for them not to be.