How to Tape the Ankles, Hands & Fingers

Many athletes tape their hands, fingers, wrists, knees and ankles to provide support. Correctly wrapping a joint takes some practice but it's important that you get it right. If you wrap it too tight you risk cutting off the circulation and the mobility of the joint. You also don't want to wrap it too loose or the tape won't provide the support you need.

Things You'll Need

• Pre-tape
• Athletic tape

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Instructions

• 1

  Leave the joint in a relaxed position. Whether you're taping your fingers, ankles, hands, knees or some other joint, you need to tape it while it's relaxed. Stretch out the joint a bit before taping to work out the tension.

• 2

  Pre-wrap the joint with the soft pre-wrap tape that acts as a barrier between your skin and the adhesive of the tape. Begin wrapping the joint in a spiral motion at one end of the joint and slowly move your way to the other end of the joint. Tear off the pre-tape when you've reached the end and hold it in place. The pre-tape has no adhesive and should be just tight enough to be comfortable, restricting your movement a little bit.

• 3

  Tape the joint. Apply the athletic tape over the pre-tape by wrapping it around the joint in a continuous spiral that is tight, but comfortable. When you're finished, tear off the tape and push the adhesive down so that the tape is now stuck and you're properly braced. Relax, take your time and you'll be able to do this effectively.