2026-27 NFHS POE: Player Equipment

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

This is from the NFHS Website on May 26, 2026:

Player Equipment – Tooth and Mouth Protectors

Tooth and mouth protectors must be properly designed and worn as intended for protective purposes. Custom-fitted or molded protectors are required; however, they must not include attachments or features unrelated to protection. Decorative or non-protective additions are prohibited due to safety concerns for both the wearer and other participants. Proper equipment compliance is essential to maintaining a safe and fair competitive environment.

The 20(19)-20 NFHS Basketball Questionaaire had a question about mouth guards and I thought I remembered a State from the Northeast (Billy, maybe you can remember.) requiring Players to wear mouth guards. But the sentence that I have highlighted in red has caught my eye. Am I missing something?

MTD, Sr.

[BillyMac]

Molded mouth protectors could be those that one self prepares by heating it up in boiling water before molding it to one's teeth.

I actually wore one of those in high school.

Is it possible that the NFHS doesn't want players wearing "sized" mouth protectors right off the shelf and out of the box?

I am not aware of any state associations that mandate that high school basketball players wear mouthguards.

Originally Posted by BillyMac

2020 NFHS Basketball Rules Questionnaire:
5. Mouthguard
A tooth and mouth protector (intraoral), if worn must:
a. include an occlusal (protecting and separating the biting surfaces) portion;
b. include a labial (protecting the teeth and supporting structures) portion;
c. cover the posterior teeth with adequate thickness;
It is recommended that the protector be properly fitted, protecting the anterior (leading) dental arch and:
d. constructed from a model made from an impression of the individual's teeth; or constructed and fitted to the individual by impressing the teeth into the tooth and mouth protector itself.
State associations may deem a tooth and mouth protector required equipment.