Instructions for Taping Ankles

Athletic taping has long been used by sports medicine physicians, athletic trainers and athletes of all levels to provide added support to a weak or injured joint. The ankle is no exception. Athletes commonly use athletic tape to recover from an ankle sprain or to prevent the occurrence of chronic ankle sprains. Athletic tape can also be used to restrict the range of motion in an injured ankle. Athletic taping is a simple and affordable way to provide added stability to your ankles.

Things You'll Need

• Foam pre-wrap
• Athletic tape
• Adhesive tape

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Instructions

• 1

  Prepare your foot and ankle by cleaning thoroughly. You may also want to consider shaving the hair from your ankle to prevent the tape from sticking to it.

• 2

  Apply the foam pre-wrap to your ankle. Apply the wrap in a figure-eight fashion running from the top of your ankle to the arch of your foot.

• 3

  Wrap the athletic tape. Your foot and ankle should be in a neutral position while taping. Start taping at the top, center portion of your ankle. Take the tape down your ankle to the right and wrap it around the back of your foot. Pass the tape underneath the heel of your foot and bring it back up to the center of your ankle. Complete this motion to your left as well. Avoid taping your heel.

• 4

  Tape your Achilles tendon -- the back portion of your ankle. Run a piece of tape from the center, top portion of your ankle down around your Achilles tendon to the right. Repeat wrapping the left side of your Achilles tendon.

• 5

  Apply tape in a circular motion. Make circular strips around the top of your ankle down to your foot. Apply adhesive tape to secure the athletic tape around your ankle.