Football can be a physically punishing sport, with high-speed collisions and bone-rattling tackles taking place on every play. While they wear helmets, shoulder pads and other padding for protection, football players have few options when it comes to protecting their ankles. Simple athletic tape provides necessary support while still allowing enough mobility for players to run and cut without sacrificing speed. The tape can help strengthen weak ankles against the twisting and flexing associated with many tackles, not to mention the stress involved in the sudden changes of direction needed on the football field. However, taping an ankle for football isn't as easy as it sounds. Specific steps must be followed to ensure optimal effectiveness.
Anchor
Every football ankle taping should begin with tape encircling the lower third of the shin. This ring of tape serves as the anchor, providing a secure foundation for the taping techniques that follow. Be certain not to make the initial tape ring too tight or it could cause circulatory issues.
Stirrups
To begin taping the ankle, make certain your foot remains with the toes pointing straight up, creating a 90-degree angle with the foot and ankle. The next step is to create supportive stirrups for the foot. Start the tape at the anchor and bring it down the inside of the ankle so it passes over the ankle bone, wraps around the bottom of the foot, covers the ankle bone on the outside of the ankle and then attaches back to the opposite side of the anchor. Apply at least two or three stirrups, positioning each one slightly off center of the previous one, for maximum support.
Bracing
You'll need to supply additional bracing for the foot by starting another piece of tape at the anchor on the inside of the ankle and repeating the stirrup pattern. Except this time, instead of securing the stirrup at the other side of the anchor, you'll bring the stirrup under the bottom of the foot, cross it over the top of the foot and secure it to the same starting point at the inside of the anchor. Now repeat the same technique starting from the outside anchor.
Heel
A proper football taping job must also secure the heel. Begin at the inside of the anchor and wrap the tape across the ankle and down towards the heel. Now loop the tape around the heel and bring it back up across the top of the foot and back to the original anchor starting point. Repeat the same technique starting from the outside anchor point. Once you've completed all the necessary stirrups, bracing and heel loops, repeat the anchor strip to secure everything and prevent unraveling.
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