Ayrton Oneill
Ankle injuries are common among athletes and can take a while to heal. Taping the ankle is a great way to provide extra support and stability while still allowing mobility, which can aid in recovery and prevent re-injury. This is especially useful for basketball players, who may be prone to ankle sprains due to the quick movements and directional changes required in the sport. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to wrap an ankle for basketball, ensuring athletes can get back on the court safely and confidently.
How to wrap an ankle for basketball:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Athletic tape | 1.5" wide, non-elastic |
| Pre-wrap | Foam or gauze-type cloth pad made of cotton, latex, synthetic materials, or blends |
| Adhesive | Quick-drying spray adhesive |
| Ankle pads | Non-adhesive, placed on the front and back of the ankle |
| Stirrup strips | Provide lateral support to the ankle, starting on the inside and going under the heel to the outside of the ankle |
| Anchor strips | Hold other strips in place, placed just above the ankle bone and around the midfoot |
| Figure-eight pattern | Adds stability and restricts excessive movement, forming a figure-eight pattern around the foot and ankle |
| Heel locks | Stabilize the ankle, especially during lateral movements |
| Horizontal strips | Hold all pieces of tape together and add stability |
| Brace | An alternative to taping, made from various materials with Velcro straps, laces, or elastic |
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What You'll Learn
Gather materials: athletic tape, adhesive, pads, pre-wrap, and scissors
To wrap your ankle for basketball, you'll need the right materials to ensure you don't cause further injury. Here's a list of the essential supplies:
Athletic Tape
Athletic tape is the main structural component when wrapping an ankle. It's recommended to use non-elastic athletic tape that is around 1.5 inches wide. This will provide stability and support to the ankle.
Adhesive
Adhesive is important to help the tape adhere better to the skin and ensure it doesn't slip. You can use a quick-drying tape adhesive or an adhesive spray. Adhesive sprays are typically optional but can be useful for those with sensitive skin or for regular taping.
Pads
Pads are used to stabilize the ankle and prevent blistering. Place two non-adhesive pads, each measuring 2" x 2", on the front and back of the ankle. You can also use sterile pads for this purpose.
Pre-wrap
Pre-wrap is a foam or gauze-type cloth pad that acts as a barrier between the skin and the tape. It helps protect the skin from irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin or are allergic to latex. Pre-wrap is optional but recommended, especially for regular taping.
Scissors
Scissors are necessary for cutting the athletic tape to the desired length and ensuring a neat application.
With these materials gathered, you can now move on to the next steps of wrapping your ankle for basketball, focusing on proper technique and tension to provide support and stability while maintaining healthy blood flow.
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Place foot: elevate the foot at a 90-degree angle
When preparing to wrap an ankle, it is important to place the injured player's foot at a 90-degree angle. This means that their foot should be elevated and extended, in a pointed upright position, at a 90-degree angle to their lower leg. This position should be maintained throughout the wrapping process.
To achieve this, ask the player to sit somewhere sturdy and comfortable, with their leg extended. Their foot should be pointed upwards, forming a 90-degree angle with their leg. This position ensures that the wrapping process is secure and effective.
It is important to remember that the wrapping should be snug but not too tight, as this can restrict circulation and cause discomfort. The player should be able to move their ankle and feel supported, without any signs of impaired circulation, such as numbness, tingling, or discoloration.
The 90-degree angle positioning is crucial as it allows for proper support and stability, reducing the risk of further injury and aiding in the rehabilitation process. This is especially important for athletes who have previously suffered from ankle sprains or other ankle injuries.
By following these instructions and maintaining the 90-degree angle, the taping process will provide optimal support and protection for the player's injured ankle.
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Apply pre-wrap: cover foot and ankle with foam underwrap
When wrapping an ankle for basketball, it is important to use pre-wrap, a foam underwrap, to protect the skin from irritation, especially if the person is allergic to latex. Pre-wrap also acts as a barrier between the skin and the athletic tape, providing an additional layer of support.
To apply pre-wrap, start by placing one non-adhesive pad over the front of the ankle and another over the back to prevent blisters. Then, cover the foot and ankle with pre-wrap, starting from the arch of the foot and going up to the bottom of the calf muscle. Ensure that the pre-wrap is snug but not too tight, as this can restrict circulation to the foot.
The heel may remain uncovered, and the pre-wrap should extend to the mid-foot or where the foot connects with the ankle. It is important to use even tension when applying the pre-wrap to ensure it adheres properly to the skin.
After applying the pre-wrap, you can begin taping by adding anchor strips at the top of the pre-wrap. These anchor strips will hold the other strips of tape in place and provide a foundation for the rest of the taping job.
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Anchor strips: add strips above the ankle for support
Anchor strips are the foundation of your tape job. They provide additional support and stability to the ankle. To start, place a strip of tape around the lower leg, just above the ankle bones (malleoli). Ensure that the strip is snug but not too tight, as this can restrict circulation and interfere with healing.
Apply a second anchor strip around the midfoot, just below the arch. This will help hold the other strips in place. Each consecutive anchor strip should overlap at about its midpoint, with even tension. Check with the athlete to ensure that the tape is comfortable and not cutting off circulation.
After applying the anchor strips, you can move on to the stirrup strips, which provide lateral support to the ankle. Start on the inside of the leg at the anchor strip, bring the tape down under the heel, and then up the outside of the ankle. Repeat this process two to three times, overlapping each stirrup slightly for even support.
Finish the taping by applying a few more anchor strips around the lower leg and midfoot to secure the stirrups and other tape configurations. Smooth down all tape ends to prevent them from coming loose during activity.
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Stirrups and heel locks: use tape to stabilise the ankle
To begin taping your ankle, you will need athletic tape and pre-wrap. Pre-wrap is a soft and stretchy foam that acts as a barrier between the skin and the athletic tape. It can be made of cotton, latex, or other synthetic materials. It is important to cover the entire ankle with pre-wrap to prevent the tape from sticking to the skin.
Once you have applied the pre-wrap, you can start taping your ankle with stirrups. To apply a stirrup, start from the top anchor strip on the medial side of the ankle (the inside of the leg). The tape should then go under the base of the foot and end on the top anchor strip on the lateral side of the foot (the outer part of the leg). Make sure to pull the strips tightly towards the lateral side of the foot. Apply three stirrups in total, with each stirrup slightly overlapping the other.
After applying the stirrups, you can add horseshoe strips for additional stability. Horseshoe strips are U-shaped and go from the inside of the mid-foot, around the back of the heel, and end near the mid-foot on the outer side of the leg. Apply three horseshoes, just like the stirrups.
If you need to participate in vigorous sports like basketball, which require more stability, you can add heel locks to your taping. Heel locks involve wrapping the tape around both sides of the heel to "lock" it in place and minimise movement of the ankle. Start the first heel lock on the top of the foot, then take the tape under the foot to the outside of the foot. Cross the lateral side (outside) of the heel at a 45-degree angle, go around the Achilles tendon, and pass through the medial malleolus (inside ankle bone). Go around the lower leg again and secure the tape. Repeat the same procedure in the opposite direction for the second heel lock, starting from the instep of the foot.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need athletic tape, tape adherent or adhesive spray, pre-wrap, ankle pads, and scissors.
First, place your foot at a 90-degree angle and ensure it is clean and dry. Then, apply pre-wrap and one or two anchor strips around the midfoot, just below the arch. Next, apply stirrup strips, starting on the inside of the leg and moving down under the heel and up the outside of the ankle. Repeat this process two or three times. Finally, finish the taping by applying a few more anchor strips and check for any signs of impaired circulation.
The tape should be snug but not too tight, as this can restrict circulation and interfere with healing. If you have sensitive skin, consider applying pre-wrap to protect your skin from irritation.
