Which athletes are required to have throat protection?

Throat protection is particularly critical for specific contact sports where the risk of injury to the throat is significantly heightened. Athletes who participate in sports such as baseball (specifically catchers), lacrosse (goalies), and hockey (goalies) face direct threats to the throat from fast-moving equipment, such as balls and pucks, as well as from collisions with other players.

In baseball, a foul ball or a wild pitch could potentially strike a catcher’s throat, leading to serious injury. Lacrosse goalies are similarly at risk from the high-speed balls used in the game. Hockey goalies also need throat protection due to the nature of the game, which involves hard pucks and the potential for collisions.

This need for specialized throat protection is not a requirement in sports like basketball, football for wide receivers, or track events, where the likelihood of direct throat injury is considerably lower. On the other hand, basketball involves less direct threat to the throat, while track athletes are generally at a lower risk due to the nature of their events. In football, though certain positions may face physical impact, the sport does not specifically require throat protection.

Thus, it is essential for athletes in sports like baseball, lacrosse, and hockey, who are exposed