How to Wrap Cleats

Wrapping cleats is not for fashion, although some athletes wrap in intricate patterns, but for support for the foot and ankle when playing sports. Most notably in football and soccer, cleat wrapping begins around the shoe and eventually includes the ankle and toes. Wrapping cleats should be done professionally the first time, and then replicated by yourself once you understand how and where to apply the tape. Wrap your cleats whenever you play football or soccer to help prevent injury to the foot or ankle.

Things You'll Need

  • Sport tape
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Pick sport tape to use to wrap your cleats. Sport tape is available at sporting goods stores and comes in a variety of colors. Use the same color of tape as your cleat, or choose a contrasting color to make the wrapping stand out.

    • 2

      Put cleats on your feet and tie them tightly and securely. Before wrapping cleats, ensure they are comfortable because to adjust your foot or shoe, you will need to remove the tape and start over.

    • 3

      Wrap the tape around the mouth of the cleats, over the laces. Layer the tape so it remains tight and will not come unwound during the action.

    • 4

      Continue to use the same spool of tape and wrap around the lower ankle, just above the top of the cleat. Layer around the ankle to ensure proper support and prevent unraveling.

    • 5

      Wrap tape back around the cleat. The motion will be similar to a figure "8." As you wrap the cleat, alternate rotations around the cleat and around the ankle.

    • 6

      Move the tape outward once you have a solid base of 20 wraps or until the cleat feels snug enough in the center. The amount of wraps will vary from person to person depending on their preference to tightness and the size of the cleat. Continuing with one motion, slowly move the tape outward on the cleat and upward on the ankle. Always layer the tape on top of the previous layer to ensure proper support and prevent unraveling.

    • 7

      Cover the cleat with tape to the toes and finish wrapping the ankle. Complete the wrap by twisting the tape to run a strip of tape down the top of the cleat lengthwise.