Ear guards, or wrestling headgear, are a light harness with padded cups over each ear, worn in training against the rubbing that causes cauliflower ear. They protect the ear from the rubbing and pressure that cause cauliflower ear.
- In BJJ: worn by a minority in training, mostly people who have had a swollen ear once.
- The best time to start wearing them is before your first swollen ear.
What are ear guards?
Cauliflower ear starts when the ear is bent, rubbed or squeezed hard enough to separate the skin from the cartilage underneath and let blood or fluid collect. Grappling does this in slow motion: a head pinned under an arm during a guard pass, a cross-face, an ear ground into the mat while escaping side control. Ear guards put a hard shell and padding between the ear and the pressure, so the ear bends less and rubs less.
Judo has the same forces in groundwork and in collar grips that drag across the head, so judoka get cauliflower ear too. The ones who keep the guards on keep their ears.
What should you look for in ear guards?
- Cups: a firm outer shell with soft padding inside; soft-only cups fold under pressure.
- Straps: adjustable chin and back straps that hold the cups centred on the ear during a scramble.
- Low profile: the smaller the cups, the less your partner's face catches on them.
- Hardware: no exposed metal buckles; plastic or covered fasteners only.
- Ventilation: holes in the cups so you can hear the coach and the referee.
- Washable: the straps will soak up sweat; look for a set you can rinse and hang.
Can you wear ear guards in competition?
Not at IBJJF events: the IBJJF Rules Book forbids headgear and any protector made of hard material. In judo the IJF Sport and Organisation Rules do not allow head coverings either. Ear guards are training kit.
How do you wear ear guards?
Tell your partners the first few times so nobody is surprised. Fit the cups over the ears, then tighten the straps until you can shake your head without the cups shifting. Rinse them after class and let them dry.
You will find ear guards among our bjj training gear.
Sources
- IJF Sport and Organisation Rules, International Judo Federation
- IBJJF Rules Book, IBJJF
Related terms
Cauliflower ear, Mouthguard, Knee brace, Side control, Guard passing.