Do I have to wear a mouth guard, and what kind is legal?

Q: Do I have to wear a mouth guard, and what kind is legal?

Yes. NFHS rules require a tooth and mouth protector for all players, including goalkeepers (Rule 1-6-1). What's legal: It must be an intraoral mouth protector (one that fits inside the mouth). The Maryland state association has ruled a mouth guard illegal because it wasn't intraoral. New for 2026: it must not have non-functional or unsafe attachments. The NFHS says the protector is only there to protect the teeth, mouth and lips, so add-ons that don't do that, or that create a safety risk, aren't allowed. Wearing illegal equipment, or not wearing required equipment, earns the player a misconduct penalty.

Question

Accepted Answer

Yes. NFHS rules require a tooth and mouth protector for all players, including goalkeepers (Rule 1-6-1).

What's legal:

It must be an intraoral mouth protector (one that fits inside the mouth). The Maryland state association has ruled a mouth guard illegal because it wasn't intraoral.
New for 2026: it must not have non-functional or unsafe attachments. The NFHS says the protector is only there to protect the teeth, mouth and lips, so add-ons that don't do that, or that create a safety risk, aren't allowed.
Wearing illegal equipment, or not wearing required equipment, earns the player a misconduct penalty.