How to Tape an Ankle Like a NBA Trainer

Taping and strapping joints helps to prevent injuries and reduces the risk of re-injury when athletes return to sport or other physical activity. Since ankle sprains are the most common injury type among basketball players, NBA trainers and physiotherapists regularly use ankle taping techniques before and during games. A basic ankle taping method involves wrapping the joint and surrounding ligaments in adhesive tape to provide extra support and stability during a high-impact activity such as basketball.

Things You'll Need

  • Adhesive sports tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a strip of tape around the lower 1/3rd of the shin, being careful not to wind the tape too tight that it restricts circulation. This is the anchor tape.

    • 2

      Apply another length of tape running from the anchor down the inside of the shin, under the foot and up the outside of the shin until it joins back up with the anchor. Add one or two more "stirrups" on top of the first depending on the level of support required.

    • 3

      Apply tape at the outside of the foot so that it comes back across the front of the ankle and continues diagonally until it meets the anchor at the back of the leg. Apply one or two more "figure-of-sixes", partially overlapping one another, depending on the level of support required.

    • 4

      Repeat Step 1 to create a final anchor.