i think its a personal choice whether you pad/cage up. i use a face cage and only wore it in tournaments, not because i had to but because i had only ever been hit in the face(cage) at a tournament. however at the UK champs i played one throw-in before the elim stages started and i didnt wear my cage and got a mallet in the face from shane. lots of blood etc.. i dont blame him, i blame myself for not wearing my cage and i have learnt my lesson.
i think its a personal choice whether you pad/cage up. i use a face cage and only wore it in tournaments, not because i had to but because i had only ever been hit in the face(cage) at a tournament. however at the UK champs i played one throw-in before the elim stages started and i didnt wear my cage and got a mallet in the face from shane. lots of blood etc.. i dont blame him, i blame myself for not wearing my cage and i have learnt my lesson.