- Pre-wrap is applied before any tape, sometimes after a nonstick spray. Pre-wrap prevents the tape from sticking to the skin and body hairs, which makes removal painful. One layer of pre-wrap in overlapping lines over the entire area to be taped is sufficient.
- The essence of good athletic taping lies in the support the tape gives to the taped area. Ankle taping is the most common taping job. The support for the ankle is provided laterally and vertically by three interlacing tapes. To begin taping, a band is run around the lower calf at the top of the ankle and another around the middle of the foot, just below the joint of the fifth metatarsal at the bridge of the foot. The three vertical supports run down the ankle, beneath the heel and back up to the high-ankle strip, while the lateral supports are taped directly around the joint of the ankle in a "horseshoe tape," leaving a gap at the front of the ankle. Each horseshoe tape is alternated with a stirrup tape until there are three of each, securing the ankle firmly in place, at which point the entire tape job is cemented with consecutive bands from high ankle to mid-foot.
- For the knee, diagonal strips of tape wrap around the knee in a lattice framework, intersecting beneath and above the knee in front, and directly behind the knee in back. There are two corresponding tape lines, one that wraps inside and one that wraps outside of the knee. Both begin in the front center, below the knee, and wrap around to meet the other behind the knee before continuing around the leg to meet again in front above the knee. The kneecap is left untaped except for looser finishing tape to secure the entire arrangement, which allows the joint the necessary flexibility.
- The wrist tape is most common in football, especially among linemen, to provide support for the stresses of repetitive and violent pushing motions. It relies on a band around the wrist, a band around the knuckles, and a band from the ulna at the outside of the wrist through the gap between thumb and forefinger. Each of these three are secured to each other, and an exterior layer is added to provide extra stability and support.
- The support tapes should be snug, but not so tight that they cut off circulation. After the support tapes are complete, the rest of the joint should be taped over as well, but looser than the support tapes. The combination of the rest of the tape provides a protective sleeve for the joint and the support tape.
