Wrestling heagear is protection that a person wears over the ears and chin during wrestling matches. The main purpose of headgear is to protect the ears of the wrestler, not really the head as the name implies. The headgear often covers the ears of the wearer, has two straps that go behind the head, two that go over the front and top part of the head, and one strap that goes under the chin (in some cases the strap will go on the chin). Thus, wrestling headgear equipment are also simply called ear guards or ear protectors. Headgear is often made of durable plastic, velcro, and button snaps. Headgear is required to be worn in high school and college wrestling. In international competition (freestyle and Greco-Roman), headgear is allowed but not required.