For play within the control of USA Rugby, only IRB approved head gear and shoulder pads may been worn. All head gear and shoulder pads sold by BALL'S OUT! Rugby are properly labeled with the IRB tags.

Head Gear
A player may wear head gear made of soft, thin materials provided that no part of the head gear is thicker than 1 cm when uncompressed and no part of the head gear has a density of more than 45 kilograms per cubic meter. Head gear is designed to protect the wearer from impact related injuries to the head.

Shoulder Pads
A player may wear shoulder pads made of soft padding materials which may be incorporated in an undergarment or jersey. The pads may cover all or some of the following areas: shoulder, upper vertebrae, collar bone, upper biceps, and sternum. No part of the pads may be thicker than 1 cm when uncompressed. No part of the pads may have a density of more than 45 kilograms per cubic meter. Padding is designed to protect the wearer from impact related injuries to parts of the body. Some shoulder pads, such as the Shock Top are designed to protect the tops of the shoulders and collar bone, while others, such as the RugbyTech Matador Vest, maximize the allowable coverage area.