Ankles First

One of the most common uses for athletic tape is to support the ankles. Using a careful procedure (that can be quickly learned), a coach or trainer wraps the athlete’s ankles to prevent too much strain on this crucial pivot point. Some adhesive spray is used to make the tape stick, and typically a pre-wrap is used to help protect the skin from irritation. The ankle is then taped in a very precise manner (starts like a stirrup, ends like a cast), weaving the athletic tape in alternating layers to improve the stability offered.

Taping an ankle is common in football, hockey, basketball, baseball, and many more sports. It is safe to say that if a sport requires an athlete to put pressure on their ankles, chances are good there are going to be more than a few taped-up on any playing field.

Novices Welcome

Taping an ankle is not something that only happens on a professional field of play, nor is this the only use for athletic tape. Many individuals take advantage of athletic tape to cover a blister so they can continue training. It’s also not uncommon for athletic tape to be used to support or reinforce muscles and joints that tend to grow tired from a good workout or healthy run.

If you are finding that athletic tape helps your performance from time to time, it pays to take a quick online tutorial on how to best wrap your tender areas. Take advantage of using pre-wraps, to protect your skin from irritation. Schools, medical colleges and more have all released videos on how to properly apply athletic tape, so even if it is your first time trying it, you don’t have to approach it blindly.

Take the time to study some of the basic techniques in using athletic tape correctly, and you may not be a novice athlete for long!

Athletic tape is the twelfth man every Sunday in the NFL. From linebackers to defensive ends, pound-for-pound, there is a lot of athletic tape going into every huddle. It is wrapped on ankles and supporting calf muscles, it is protecting ribs and securing fingers and fractures beneath the uniforms of both teams.

Not to mention all the pads and shoes it helps hold into place.

It has been estimated that 80 miles of athletic tape are used by most football teams on any given game day. This supports the idea of support, it seems.

Time and again, some fierce action on the field leaves players needing to support broken fingers or get through a muscle strain and not leave the game. But with just a few minutes on the sidelines, the trainers have them wrapped securely in athletic tape, banged and bruised but still ready to serve their team’s needs.

The twelfth man.

It would probably be an accurate guess to think that at some point, every professional football player has relied on athletic tape for some reason. There is always a sprain, or strain or fracture in the history of every devoted player. Luckily, 80 miles of athletic tape divides among 11 players many times over, when necessary.

Athletic tape is there when it is needed – it is a clutch player in a game of seconds. If a player comes to the sidelines battered and bruised, all the coaching in the world won’t help support or protect his injuries. The coaching is a vital part of the win, but the athletic tape is what holds everything together to cross the finish line.

So fans may believe that they are the ones to offer their teams support when things are getting rough. But in football, there is at least 80 miles of evidence left at the scene of every confrontation that might suggest otherwise.

In the story, ESPN states: “The Belgian said Monday that she will play with her right ankle taped…” and she later states herself: “I am not totally without pain, but the strong tape round my ankle gives me sufficient security.”

Once again, the necessity for reliable athletic tape helps a professional to reach their highest potential. But this story is not an isolated one by any means. Perhaps you are familiar with a quarterback named Brett Favre? (Hint: he played in the NFL).

In the Fall of 2010 while playing his final season with the Minnesota Vikings, it seemed that Favre was constantly being taped-up before important games. News stories on every channel were showing his left ankle taped, then his right ankle taped – all the while speculating as to whether or not he would be able to perform. Time and again this NFL legend took the field, and often the athletic tape supporting his injuries were notably crucial to his performance.

Favre, like Clijisters values the spirit of competition too much to let an injury slow him down. Both of these world-class athletes rely on athletic tape to give them the flexible support required to excel, even through times of extreme physical duress.

It is not unusual for an athlete to strain or over-extend something during the heat of competition. Across all sports, when an athlete is willing to push themselves they will increase the risks for strains and injuries – particularly to ankles and wrists. This is why trainers rely on athletic tape to provide stability and comfort – supporting the tender area allows it to heal more efficiently, even when it is still in use.

However, a strong athletic tape is not only used for sports injuries. Because these tapes are crafted from cotton and synthetic materials allowing them to remain strong with increased movement, athletic tape is often used to secure pads or to keep uniforms in place, allowing the athlete to better concentrate on their game. Nothing is worse than trying to keep a uniform held together while trying to perform your best – distracting, to say the least!

Athletic tape is really the unsung hero on many fields of competition. If you took a peek beneath the socks and uniforms of today’s top athletes, the amount of athletic tape you’d find might be enough to make a mummy jealous. From routine sprains and strains to small bone fractures and more, the support and protection offered by athletic tape is often all it takes to help a champion grit their teeth, and get through it.

Take a page from the books of athletes like Clijisters and Favre. When the going gets tough, the tough typically need some athletic tape applied before they are ready to actually get going. It makes you wonder what Achilles may have accomplished with a little athletic tape strategically placed to protect that heel!

Preventing Chafing, Build-Up And Irritation By Using Athletic Tape And Pre Wrap

Athletes who use athletic tape exclusively generally find it cumbersome because of the chafing, sticky build-up and irritation it can cause.  Tape needs to be replaced whether you’re working out and sweating, or you’re resting.  A buildup of too much sweat can become a target for bacteria and fungi which can make plain old muscle soreness or a pulled tendon feel like a walk in the park!  Because of the constant changing and reapplication, the skin can become irritated or chafed – instances which could be prevented by using a combination of athletic tape and pre wrap instead.  If you’re on the field, the floor or the ice, and you’re wearing athletic tape by itself, the irritation alone could interfere with your concentration and cost your team critical points.  Equipment, pads and shoes can all rub on sensitive feet and shoulders, causing blisters on your heels and the top of your feet.  In cases like these, adding a layer of soft, flexible pre wrap can make all the difference in the world.

Not Just For Medical Use Anymore!

In the past, tools like these were used strictly by pro athletes and applied by trained physicians.  Colors were bland, boring and… medical.  These days, you don’t have to look like you belong on the sidelines.  Athletic tape and pre wrap are available in a variety of vibrant colors, so you can show off your team spirit and pride while helping your muscles heal and relax correctly.  Off the field or the floor, you can also use this unique combination to do more than just keep stress off the affected areas.  You can also use pre wrap to help keep ice or cold packs in place, or to prevent bandages and adhesive gunk from sticking to your skin.  Pre wrap is also ideal for people who have skin reactions to latex, as some athletic tape is made from this flexible material.  By placing a layer of pre wrap under it, this in turn lessens the chance that an allergic reaction would develop.

With so many unique uses and a variety of colorful choices available, athletic tape and pre wrap are two indispensable tools every athlete wants to have whether they’re performing at their best or protecting their body and helping it recover.

Pre Wrap And Tape Adhesive Remover

Regular tape can be sticky and difficult to remove. Keeping the injured area clean and dry is a must, whether you’re training or at rest. When using this type of tape, you have two options. The first is using pre wrap, a dry, gauze-like wrap that cushions the injured muscle, tissue or tendon while athletic tape is wrapped around it (hence the name). Pre wrap is the most inexpensive solution for athletes and is available in a wide variety of colors to match your uniform or outfit. Pre wrap, like athletic tape, needs to be changed often – up to every two hours if you sweat or exercise a lot. If you’d rather not use pre wrap, the other option is tape adhesive remover. If you place athletic tape directly on the skin – which is necessary for more rigid muscle healing, it can leave behind a sticky residue. Adhesive tape remover works to cleanly remove the sticky mess left over from pulling athletic tape off of the area.

Prevent Rubbing, Chaffing And Blisters

When it comes to athletic taping supplies, another commonly overlooked must-have is ointment or pads. Lubricating ointment can be applied to the backs and tops of feet where pads and shoes can rub and cause friction burns or painful blisters. If you don’t want to deal with the application of ointment or lube every time you get your gear on, there are also heel and lace pads that can be applied to the foot to prevent rubbing and pain.

Buying Athletic Tape Supplies In Bulk

One of the best ways to save money and take advantage of a variety of these taping supplies is by buying them in bulk. You’ll be able to get the lowest prices per case or box, as well as be able to choose from a variety of top names and even colors of tape and pre wrap to match those of your team. It’s a cost effective way to get the quality supplies you need at a fraction of the retail price. When buying these extra necessities – don’t forget something to cut them with – such as scissors or tape cutters! You can also buy your athletic tape pre-perforated so that it’s easier to tear as much or as little as you need.

What Colors Are Available?

It used to be that tape was only available in one color – black. Then, manufacturers got smart and started including some of the most popular team colors like red, blue, yellow and white. For a long time, these were the only colors you could find, as most athletic tape makers assumed that this covered just about every combination of team colors out there – for both professional, collegiate and club teams alike. Today, there are a whole host of colors available – including girls sports colors like hot pink and neon green. Variations on “regular” colors, such as maroon, grey and beige are also quickly becoming in demand as colored tape grows in popularity.

What Should I Know When Buying Colored Tape For My Team?

If you’re a coach or personal trainer looking to buy tape, you’ll want to make sure that the colors of athletic tape you buy are made with high quality dyes that won’t bleed onto team uniforms whether the tape is wet or dry. You should also know that the most common types oftape contain latex, which may cause allergies when placed against the skin. A better choice would be breathable cotton tape or using a pre-wrap before placing the athletic tape on the injured area. Depending on your supplier, you may be able to mix and match colored tape for a variety of events while taking advantage of bulk pricing. Fortunately, if you decide to buy pre wrap in addition to athletic tape, you can also find it to match your colored tape as well! Think of it as taking team spirit to a whole new level!

Athletic Taping – Beyond the Body

Don’t forget that the tape can be used on more than just sore muscles or areas of the body that are prone to injury. Tape can also be applied directly to certain sports equipment to keep it from sliding or slipping. When the last few minutes of the game count on you – the last thing you want is for your sweaty palms to interfere and cause you to lose your grip! That’s when it’s a great idea to wrap your baseball bat or hockey stick in colored tape and keep the fan momentum and team pride going from start to finish! With these tips in mind – have fun, play safe and win!

Athletic taping can be done just about anywhere on the body where you have pain.  Medical researchers have discovered that the tape is useful for shoulder and rotator cuff injuries, as well as wrist, knee and ankle problems.  No matter where you place it, it’s important to allow the taped area to “breathe” in order to avoid a buildup of sweat and dead skin cells which can be the perfect breeding ground for certain types of fungus and bacteria and can turn your injured area into a hotbed of infection.  Most doctors advise that muscle injuries be worked out gradually – using as much weight as you are comfortable placing on the affected area.  If you’re beginning to exercise moderately – a buildup of sweat under the athletic tape means you should continue to apply fresh tape every few hours as needed.  Even if you’re resting, be sure to change the tape every 2-3 days.

Athletic Taping Techniques

Athletic tape is very easy to apply.  You can cut or tear off small strips and apply them to the length of the muscle to hold it in place.  For injuries such as arms or wrists, make sure not to apply the tape to the extended part of the body, otherwise this could exacerbate the injury and slow healing time.  Be sure the muscle you are applying the athletic tape to is fully relaxed.  You may wish to use some pre wrap if you don’t like the stickiness of the tape and the difficulty of removing it.  Wrap the tape snugly but not too tight that it completely restricts movement or cuts off circulation.  Again, this can further stress the tissue, tendon or muscle that’s healing.

Which Athletic Tape Should I Buy?

When utilizing athletic taping methods, you may have gotten recommendations from your trainer or coach, or you may not have a preference.  Some people find tape that fits their team colors, and it’s comfortable for them to wear all day.  Others prefer breathable cotton tape or the Olympic favorite, Kinesio tape.  Experiment with different brands on different areas of the body to find one you like the best.  Once you find one, stick with it (no pun intended!) and you’ll be taking the right step toward keeping your body in peak shape.

Traditionally, sports tape has been very crucial for situations where the joint has become very unstable or the instability has become severe enough that a tight tape job is necessary to keep the area safe from further injury. In order to provide additional support, Athletic Tape should be applied by a professional who understands the best practices for taping. However, in cases where severe injury has occurred, athletes look to other types of sports tapes.

In some instances, any additional movement of the injured area could result in more damage and longer recovery time. However, the elastic therapeutic properties of Kinesio Athletic Tape have been known to treat injuries and reduce the amount of time needed to heal. With its great adhesion to the skin and superior elasticity, kinesio taping provides outstanding therapeutic benefits to athletes.

As far as traditional sports tape is considered, it’s rather thick and non-elastic compared to kinesio tape. Usually it is best to apply a prewrap prior to taping, as it can retain moisture which causes irritation to skin. Also the tapes harsh adhesive, if left on for extended periods of time, could potentially cause a skin irritation or rash. However, this is not the case with Elastic Therapeutic Tape; it is much thinner and stretchier. It is designed to function just like real human skin. Also, it’s very porous, and releases moisture much more easily. This is what allows for the tape dry most efficiently after sweating, showering, and even swimming. For this reason, the tape can be worn for multiple days at a time without needing to be reapplied.

Athletic Taping, when used for the purposes of rehabilitation and recovery, can be very helpful when using the right type of tape. Sports Medicine turns to Kinesio Tape so support muscles and joints while increasing blood flow in addition to lymphatic fluids. When properly applied, a patient might be relieved swelling and inflammation much quicker than usual. Treating these symptoms helps to accelerate the body’s healing processes.

Normal athletic taping methods include taping down various tendons and muscles for added support. This helps to relieve sore and injured ligaments or bones. By helping to prevent injury, Athletic Adhesive Tape relies on a white cloth backing. This is what provides the structured support to aching muscles and joints in case injury were to occur.

Another type of Athletic Tape is called “Kinesio Tape”. It has been the latest craze with Professional and Olympic Athletes alike for several reasons. First of all, it’s thinner than regular tape, which makes it much easier to place over slightly stretched skin and muscles. Doing this helps to promote healing without straining the muscle by using the subtle elastic properties of the tape itself. Second, it can be worn for several days at a time which reduces the amount of time spent taping.

Generally it is applied in wave patterns which align to support the ligaments and joints. A good quality Kinesiology Athletic Tape should remain applied for 3-5 days without needing to be replaced. It does not require a physician to do this; however it is recommended to be applied by one. Typically physical therapists, sports trainers, and chiropractors see many patients who can benefit from Kinesio Tape.

Athletic Tape can also be a bit restrictive; this is why pro athletes like pre wrap, which is used to protect and provide free movement and breathing to the skin. By applying this style of under wrap before the tape, adhesives which normally stick to the skin are now met with a protective barrier.

These are just a few reasons Professional Athletes are taping their bodies before every practice and game. Sports injuries can be reduced by using the different varieties of Athletic Adhesive Tapes on the market. Don’t get caught off guard when the time comes. Be prepared to play hard and play safe by stocking adequate supplies of these essential first aid items.