Safety Gear for Women’s Rugby

Rugby is rougher than most other sports. Collisions and falls are ordinary occurrences in each game. So are broken bones, busted lips, and a string of other injuries. The aggressive nature of the game is the reason why most people only associate it with men. However, a lot of women actually play the sport, too. Despite a person’s vulnerability to injuries out on the field, safety gear is not a requirement for all rugby competitions. While there are some organizations that oblige their players to wear some form of protection during the game, the use of safety gear is generally discarded as an afterthought. On the other hand, there are those who still prefer wearing protective apparel when they are playing. The following are examples of safety gear that female rugby players use often. Mouth Guard The mouth guard is the most common safety item used not only in women’s rugby, but in other variations of the sport as well. A mouth guard primarily protects the teeth, tongue, and the rest of the mouth, but it also minimizes the impact of forces directed towards the face and the head. Any rugby player must consider it an investment because it can protect the user from minor lip injuries to serious brain damage. Scrum Cap Another piece of safety equipment used in a women’s rugby league is the scrum cap. The scrum cap is a padded helmet designed to protect the head from scrapes, gashes, and blows. This doesn’t afford maximum protection, though, because like most safety gear in rugby, the scrum cap is made of soft material. This is for the safety of other players on the field. Protective Padding Various pads are also used by female rugby players to keep them protected while playing. Shoulder and chest pads are widely used by participants of a women’s rugby league. The shoulder is one of the areas most susceptible to damage because shoulder movement is an integral part of tackling. A woman’s chest area is also more sensitive than that of a man’s, so chest pads afford extra protection for females. Injury Guards Playing through injuries is not unheard of in women’s rugby. There are also safety items that prevent the injuries from worsening. Some examples of these women’s rugby league injury guards are ankle straps, neoprene sleeves, and athletic tape.