Football players tape joints to prevent injury or prevent a current injury from getting worse. The main areas of the body that football players tape are the ankles and the wrists. These two joints can take a lot of abuse in a football game and unlike other joints, the ankles and the wrists do not have padding covering them during play.
Taping an Ankle
Step 1
Flex your foot by pulling it as far back toward you as possible. This protects the ankle in a flexed position instead of a relaxed angle.
Step 2
Wrap the ankle with pre-wrap by using a figure-eight shape going up the foot. Start around the toes and wrap the foot up to just below the calf muscle. All areas should be covered with about two layers of pre-wrap.
Step 3
Hold the pre-wrap in place by taping the end where you stopped so it will not become loose. If the pre-wrap loosens, it can pull the rest of the tape away and leave the ankles vulnerable to injury.
Step 4
Pull a long piece of tape to place on one side of the leg at the top of the tape and run the tape under the ankle and attach it to the top of the tape job on the other side of the foot. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society calls this an anchor which is designed to support or hold the tape job.
Step 5
Tape the ankle by wrapping tape around it, starting at the bottom of the foot and using a figure-eight pattern up the leg to the top of the pre-wrap. Each area of the pre-wrap should be covered in a layer of tape and the ankle area should be covered in a couple of layers.
Taping a Wrist
Step 1
Hold your arm straight out in front of you with your wrist straight and fingers spread to begin the taping. For the wrist, use a relaxed, neutral position in which the wrist is not flexed in either direction.
Step 2
Wrap the wrist in pre-wrap, making a couple of layers and covering the area within two inches above and below the wrist.
Step 3
Tape the wrist starting just above the bone or joint on the inside of the wrist and wrap the pre-wrap area, leaving only a little wrap at each end that is not taped. Place only one layer during wrist taping or you will severely limit the range of motion.
Member Comments