Football is a fun but dangerous sport and often results in players getting injured. According to a study conducted by Dr. Bill Barnhill of the Panhandle Sports Medicine Institute, the ankle is the second most commonly injured area of the body among football players. Therefore, it's imperative that as a football player you do everything you can to protect your ankles. Two effective methods of covering football cleats to protect the ankle are taping the cleats to your ankles and using a set of spat wraps. It's also important to tape your ankles inside your cleats for all-around protection.
Tape
Tape is the most common way of wrapping football cleats to protect the ankle, and, according to award-winning sportswriter Steve Silverman, it provides more support than simply taping the ankle alone would. Wrap each cleat in tape using one continuous motion, starting at the top, and then tightly wrap your shoe and ankle. If you have previously suffered ankle injuries, use extra tape for added support and confidence, as long as you wrap it so that it does not affect your ability to run, Silverman recommends.
Spat Wrap
Wrapping your football cleats with spat wraps is another way to protect your ankles. Football America describes a spat wrap as a "fashionable and re-useable replacement to taping over cleats...and provides additional ankle support." Spat wraps are easy to put on and remove, can be bought in different colors and sizes and are machine washable, making them a popular alternative to tape. However, they do not replace the taping of the actual ankle. "Never rely on tape outside the cleat to provide full protection for your feet or ankle. It will help protect your feet, but not as much as taping before you put on your football cleats," cautions Silverman. Rather, the two work in conjunction to provide overall ankle protection.
Taping Your Ankles
Whether you wrap your football cleats with tape or use a spat wrap, it's crucial that you also tape your ankles. According to writer Jason Wallace, "Learning how to tape ankles for football players is important for preventing further ankle injuries...playing football on a bad ankle is very painful, and taping the ankle is the easiest and quickest way to keep players on the football field." It's best to have your athletic trainer tape your ankle, but you can carefully do it yourself if necessary.
Adding Style
Whether you wrap your football cleats with tape or use a set of spat wraps, you can use them to add a touch of style or as a personal billboard. Use a color that matches your team's uniform or makes you stand out on the field. You also can make them fun and motivational by writing a message on them with a marker.
References
- Panhandle Sports Medicine Institute; Football Injury Analysis: Field Turf vs. Natural Grass; Dr. Bill Barnhill
- Just Sports; How To Tape Football Cleats; Steve Silverman
- Football America: Spat Wrap Football Cleat Cover
- Made Man; How To Tape Ankles for Football; Jason Wallace; May 18, 2010
- Made Man; How to Tape Football Cleats; Spyder Collins; May 30, 2010
