What protective equipment does my athlete need?

Question

Accepted Answer

Before entering the contest area, every athlete must wear USATKD-approved gear: Item Requirement Trunk protector Red/blue full-body WT protector covering armpit to hip bone, wrapping round the back. Provided when an electronic scoring system (PSS) is used. Otherwise bring your own. Head protector Must fit properly, with no cracks or defects and no markings except maker logos. World Class Cadet black belts wear red or blue to match the chest protector (white is also allowed). Mouthguard Required for all. At least 3 mm thick, clear or white. Athletes with braces need a guard that covers all the braces. Groin guard Required for boys and girls, worn inside the pants Forearm guards Required. Foam, cloth or vinyl, any color, worn inside the uniform. Shin and instep protectors Required. Foam, cloth or vinyl, shins worn inside the uniform. PSS sensor socks with built-in instep padding count as instep protectors. Gloves Required for World Class Cadet black belts (WT-approved, open-finger, red, blue or white). Optional for other divisions, but must meet the same rule. No cloth gloves or hand covers. Cloth or foam knee and elbow pads are allowed. When PSS is used, athletes wear sensing socks (and sensing gloves where the event uses them). The referee checks they work with a test kick before the match. USA Taekwondo can disallow any gear it finds unsafe or offensive.

Item	Requirement
Trunk protector	Red/blue full-body WT protector covering armpit to hip bone, wrapping round the back. Provided when an electronic scoring system (PSS) is used. Otherwise bring your own.
Head protector	Must fit properly, with no cracks or defects and no markings except maker logos. World Class Cadet black belts wear red or blue to match the chest protector (white is also allowed).
Mouthguard	Required for all. At least 3 mm thick, clear or white. Athletes with braces need a guard that covers all the braces.
Groin guard	Required for boys and girls, worn inside the pants
Forearm guards	Required. Foam, cloth or vinyl, any color, worn inside the uniform.
Shin and instep protectors	Required. Foam, cloth or vinyl, shins worn inside the uniform. PSS sensor socks with built-in instep padding count as instep protectors.
Gloves	Required for World Class Cadet black belts (WT-approved, open-finger, red, blue or white). Optional for other divisions, but must meet the same rule. No cloth gloves or hand covers.