Under NFHS, NCAA, and USA Lacrosse rules, intra-oral mouthguards are 100% MANDATORY for all field players and goalkeepers. The guard must cover all upper teeth, include a full occlusal biting surface, and must be of a readily visible solid color. Completely white or clear mouthguards are strictly prohibited during competition.
Field hockey and girls' lacrosse represent two of the fastest stick-handling sports in high school athletics. While boys' lacrosse mandates full hard-shell helmets, field hockey and girls' lacrosse athletes compete wearing only ASTM-certified wire eye goggles.
With hard plastic and rubber balls traveling at over 60 to 80 MPH, a direct stick check or deflected shot to an unprotected mouth causes catastrophic dental fractures. Here is the official equipment breakdown under NFHS Rule 1-5 and USA Lacrosse specifications.
1. Mandatory Specifications: What Makes a Mouthguard Legal?
- The Color Ban (No White, No Clear): Just like high school football, match officials must verify that every player has mouth protection in place before the opening draw or penalty corner. White and translucent guards are banned because they blend in with tooth enamel.
- Full Upper Arch Occlusion: The mouthguard must fit securely over all upper teeth, maintaining sufficient posterior molar thickness to prevent bite-through concussion forces.
- No Protruding Attachments: Decorative plastic tabs, protruding spikes, or non-functional accessories will cause referees to order the player off the turf.
Game-Day Ready: Jawgator Armour-Clad™ Dual-Layer Stick Sports Guard
Deflect 70 MPH ball strikes and high stick checks. Jawgator combines a rigid shock-absorbing outer exoskeleton with an ultra-slim inner gel liner that locks to your teeth so you can sprint the full field and communicate clearly without gagging.
- Solid High-Visibility Colors: Guaranteed official approval in Solid Black, Tournament Purple, and BCA Pink.
- Antimicrobial Vented Case Included: Protects your guard from turf bacteria and dirty equipment bags ($10 value free).
- 30-Day Perfect Fit Guarantee: Remolds up to 3 times as teeth shift or braces adjust.
Frequently Asked Field Hockey & Lacrosse Questions
What color mouthguard is required for girls lacrosse?
Under NFHS and USA Lacrosse rules, girls' lacrosse mouthguards must be of any readily visible solid color. Completely white or completely transparent clear mouthguards are illegal to ensure umpires can verify protection before play begins.
Do field hockey players have to wear a mouthguard?
Yes. Mouthguards are strictly compulsory for all field hockey players under NFHS Rule 1-5. Umpires inspect mouthguards prior to the match. Players found without one cannot participate in penalty corners or regular play.
Jawgator Armour-Clad™ 2-Pack Combat Duo
Engineered with dual-layer Hydro-Mold EVA to cushion brackets and disperse heavy collision shock without triggering your gag reflex. Each set includes 2 legal guards + 2 sterile ventilated cases.
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