Volleyball has become a year-round sport for many athletes, which also means the volume of injuries has increased with additional training and competition. Many volleyball players have turned to using ankle braces to help prevent sprains, rolls and other types of injuries.
Picking the Right Brace
There is no one singular brace that is best for volleyball. If you have never had an ankle injury, you likely want a semi-rigid brace designed to prevent problems. If you have had ankle injuries in the past, nonrigid braces can help give you the support a weakened ankle needs. If you are coming off a recent ankle injury, there are braces designed to help protect your ankle. The best brace will be the one that fits your needs and is most comfortable.
Mechanical Model
The mechanical model is a type of ankle brace designed for injury prevention. This type of brace resembles a stirrup, as it loops under the bottom of the foot and comes up on the inside and outside of the ankle. The mechanical model is often made of a hard, molded plastic that has padding on the inside and is fastened to the foot with Velcro straps. By securing the brace tightly to the leg, the idea is that the ankle will have nowhere to roll if you land awkwardly on someone's foot while jumping for a kill or block. A common brand of the mechanical model is Active Ankle.
Sock Model
The sock model is best for you if you have weakened ankles due to a previous injury. The sock model is called so because it slips onto your foot like a sock, but uses laces and straps to snugly fit the brace to your foot. This type of brace is easy to use and provides the necessary support, with the only downside being the material, which is usually a type of nylon that wears out faster than the mechanical model.
Air/Gel Model
Another type of ankle brace normally used to help decrease swelling after a recent injury is one filled with air or gel. This brace resembles the mechanical model, but instead of foam padding, there is a pocket of air or gel that provides compression to the injured ankle while promoting blood flow and working to reduce swelling.
