1. Sticky Situation
Taping ankles for kickboxing or any other sport means using a sports adhesive tape, not just a support bandage. Strapping tape is the tape of choice for professional athletes, and amateur sports enthusiasts benefit from preventative taping as well. Ankles are particularly susceptible to lateral ankle injury from twisting. First, prepare the ankle for taping by shaving the area directly under and around the taped area. Spray the skin with a tape adhesive spray for better sticking. Wrap the ankle with pre taping under wrap in a standard figure eight design. Cut pieces of pre-taping under wrap to pad areas around the ankle bone. Use rigid tape to form anchors at the top of the wrap and under the foot to the top. Next add three stirrups in addition to the anchors and then figure-six tape after that. Finally, apply a half heel lock and then mid foot sling for added support. Wrap the entire tape job once more with adhesive and over wrap to encase all the rigid tape.
2. Proper Position Please
Along with the actual taping job it's important for the athlete to hold her ankle in the right position before taping. In order to make the job easier, have the athlete sit on the edge of a table with both legs hanging off and hold the ankle to be taped at a 90-degree angle during taping. This ensures not only proper taping, but proper ankle support. In addition to the first figure eight and three stirrups, some kick boxers like horseshoe strips around the back of the ankle. For even more extra support, add an additional figure-eight bandage and one more lateral and medial heel lock before over taping. Be sure to over tape thoroughly so that the entire rigid bandage is completely covered and protected.
3. Variations on a Theme
Standard ankle taping for kickboxing or any other sport has the same basic components with many variations. Some athletes like using elastic tape for the heel locks, because it gives them a better sense of stability. Moleskin strips are a good alternative to tape for the stirrups especially when taping a previously injured ankle. Use flex tape in place of white pre-wrap for athletes who are sensitive to the adhesive. Flex tape resembles elastic tape but only sticks to itself and not to the skin, so it makes a good base for ankle taping without the irritation.
Posted in: Kickboxing