How to Tape Weak Wrists for Sports

Participating in sports is a great way to stay in shape, but it's also important to take necessary precautions to avoid injury. For weak joints and muscles, braces and taping are commonly used methods to prevent injury or strain. Here are some tips to follow when taping weak wrists.

Instructions

• 1

  Know your weak spots. In order to effectively tape weak wrists when playing sports, you need to understand the problem and how to avoid injury. Before beginning any sports such as tennis, basketball or football that could cause wrist injury, discuss your health issues with a physician who can fully explain the reasons why taping your wrists will be beneficial.

• 2

  Use quality sports tape. Less expensive tape, whether disposable or reusable, may seem like a bargain, but cheaper products will wear down faster, need to be replaced more frequently and will not offer your wrists as much support. Cheap tape may also be more abrasive to your skin and chafe your wrist when you perspire.

• 3

  Tape in one direction. Apply tape above the wrist and wrap in a consistent downward motion. Wrapping in one direction and then overlapping in the opposite direction will not give you added support and will actually restrict motion to the wrist too much.

• 4

  Apply tape evenly. Wrap tape about the same thickness over, above and below the wrist. If you are unsure how many layers of tape you should apply or how thick the layer of tape should be, consult a physician.

• 5

  Allow the wrist to move. The sports tape should support the wrist but should not keep it from moving altogether. Doing so could cause injury or strain to other parts of your arm or hand.

• 6

  Get help from an expert. Sports physicians and personal trainers are very knowledgeable about muscle and joint weakness and ways to avoid injury. Double-check your wrapping technique with one of these professionals to make sure you have done everything right.

• 7

  Exercise caution. Keep your exercise regimen moderate and avoid activities that could strain your wrists and other weak joints in spite of the tape.