How to Tape the Ankle Over the Shoes
It is common for athletes to tape their ankles before a game. The tape gives added support to the ankle area, helping to prevent injury. Many professional athletes (notably football and baseball players) tape their ankles over their cleats rather than taping first and then putting on their footwear. The shoe provides additional stability when taped onto the foot. Some players tape over their shoes because they like the way it looks. The practice is known as "spatting."
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Things You'll Need
- Razor (electric or safety)
- Underwrap tape or elastic bandage (optional)
- Sports Tape
- Cleats or athletic shoes
- Low socks
Instructions
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1
Shave the part of your leg that will be covered by the tape. (In addition to making the tape stick better, this will make removing it later much less unpleasant.) Make sure the area to be taped is clean and dry. If you have any rashes or cuts, cover them with bandages.
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2
Apply a layer of underwrap tape or elastic bandage if your skin is sensitive to adhesives. Wrap it around the leg from just above the heel to about 6 inches above the ankle.
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3
Put on the socks and shoes. Tie the shoes tightly and make sure they're adjusted correctly; you will be taping over the laces.
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4
Starting at the top of the shoe, wrap the tape three to five times around the mouth of the shoe to cover the laces at the top. Start wrapping in a figure-eight pattern, alternating between making a loop around your ankle with making a loop around the bottom of the shoe. Overlap the tape by 1/3 to 1/2 the width of the tape on each revolution. Make about 25 total wraps. The tape should gradually rise to a height 2 inches above your ankle, and to the bottom of the laces of your shoes.
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Make sure the tape is adhering snugly where it touches the shoe, or it could come off on the field. Cut the tape off the roll, press the end down firmly and repeat the entire process on the other foot.
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Tips & Warnings
The taping job will loosen a bit after the first 10-20 minutes, so make the initial wrap just a little tighter than necessary.
If you are recovering from a sprain or other injury, use more tape for extra support.
You may wrap the tape clear down to the toe of the shoe if you like; this may provide more protection if you have suffered a toe injury.
Only use sports wrapping tape. Other types of tape may stretch.
While you want the initial wrap to be a bit tighter than necessary so it will be perfect when it loosens up, don't wrap too tightly. You may cut off the circulation to your feet.
Remove the tape as soon as you have finished playing. It works best to cut it off with bandage scissors and to peel it gently from top to bottom rather than from side to side.
References
- Photo Credit track shoes image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
