Wrapping and Taping
Techniques
*DISCLAIMER*
It is recommended that all
coaches/students acquire first aid
certification.
 The following information should be
used only to accompany information
provided in a certifiable first aid course.
 This is not a certification course for first
aid or athletic taping techniques.

Introduction to Athletic Injuries:

Classification of Injuries:
 Acute Injuries = Have a known mechanism and
are of sudden onset; signs and symptoms usually
surface immediately or shortly after the injury.
 Chronic Injuries = Have a gradual onset and
long duration. Often the person does not recall a
specific mechanism of injury, and injury results
from an accumulation or repetitive stress over
time.
Common Athletic Injuries:

CONTACT SPORTS:
 Football
 Hockey
 Rugby
 Lacrosse
Common Athletic Injuries:

NON-CONTACT SPORTS:
 Team Sports
○ Soccer
○ Basketball
○ Volleyball
○ Field Hockey
○ Swimming
○ Baseball
○ Cheerleading
 Racquet Sports
○ Tennis
○ Badminton
○ Squash
 Individual Sports
○ Track and Field
○ Cross Country
○ Wrestling
○ Golf
○ Figure Skating
○ Skiing / Snowboarding
○ Weight Lifting
The Purpose of Athletic Injury
Support Techniques:
1)
2)
3)
To prevent an injury from occurring
(prophylactic).
To protect an injury which has occurred
(rehabilitative).
To protect an injury which is healing and
assist an athlete with potentially faster
return to sport (functional).
Indications for Athletic Taping:

Tape may be applied for the following
reasons:
 Support and stability
 Immediate first aid
 To secure a pad or brace
 To prevent injury
 To restrict the angle of pull
 Psychological assistance
Principles of Taping:



When applying tape follow the contours of the
individual. Smooth and mould the tape, as it is lad
on the skin. This will take some practice. Provide a
constant tension on the roll of tape to help eliminate
wrinkles.
Make sure that the structure to be taped is in a
functional position, but also in a position that will
not stress the injured or rehabilitated structure.
When taping over a muscle or tendon make sure the
athlete contracts.
Principles of Taping:



When applying tape, overlap the strips by at least one
half the width of the tape to eliminate pinching or
blisters.
Be very careful not to cut off circulation with tape strips.
Communicate with the athlete during the tape procedure
and loosen strips as necessary. This can be vary
depending on the individual. Tape should never be
applied continuously. Make one turn at a time, and
make sure that each encirclement be torn to overlap the
starting end by approximately one inch.
Always retest your athlete, especially in the movement
that will stress the injured or protected structure. Then
test the athlete in a functional position.
Precautions to Taping:

Do Not Apply Tape If:
 Injuries that require more support that tape can




provide.
When taping excessively restricts the ROM of a
joint predisposing the athlete to further injury.
Inflammation.
Taping over a laceration, abrasions, blisters.
Allergic reactions to tape or adherents and band
aids.
Skin Preparation:





Skin should be shaved, washed and dried.
Minor cuts and blisters should be cleaned and covered.
Areas that are sensitive (like Achilles, nipples, etc) should be
covered with a gauze or heel and lace pad).
Spray the area with Tufskin (adhesive spray). Make sure the
athlete is not allergic to Tufskin.
Be careful when constantly applying tape, such as at a training
camp or two a days. You may have to use under wrap to prevent
skin irritation but you will also lose some support.
AC Joint RTS Taping:
AC Joint RTS Taping:

Use of this technique:
 This taping technique will give the AC joint a little
more stability.
 This is used on chronic conditions, or after the AC
joint has healed from a sprain (return to sport).

Supplies Needed:
 Hypafix, leukotape, foam padding

Common Mechanisms of Injury:
 Fall on outstretched arm, contact sports – blow to
top of shoulder (shoulder depression)
Wrist Taping:

Use of this technique:
 To support and limit movement at the radiocarpal
and midcarpal joints.
 This is more of a return to sport taping.

Supplies Needed:
 Zinc oxide, tufskin

Common Mechanisms of Injury:
 Fall on outstretched hand, contusions, chronic
overuse injuries (carpal tunnel, etc).
Wrist Taping
Ankle Taping:

Use of this technique:
 To support and stabilize the ankle joint for
INVERSION sprains.

Supplies Needed:
 Heel and lace pads, pre-wrap, zinc oxide

Common Mechanisms of Injury:
 Inversion sprains (rolled ankle)
Ankle Taping:

1)
2)
Taping Instructions:
Before you begin taping, apply heel and lace pads at high
friction areas – one at the distal aspect of the Achilles
tendon, the other at the dorsal aspect of the ankle joint.
Additionally, apply pre-wrap to secure the two heel and
lace pads in place and reduce skin irritation. It is critical
that the foot remain at a 90 degree angle for this
procedure.
With the zinc oxide tape, apply an anchor strip around
the lower leg at approximately the musculotendon
junction of the gastrocnemius. Since the leg at this site is
not cylindrically shaped the tape must be angled slightly
to conform to the leg.
Ankle Taping:
3)
4)
Apply an additional anchor at the instep. Remember
that excessive tension on the 5th metatarsal could
cause pain on weight bearing.
Apply the first of three stirrup strips. Beginning on the
medial aspect of the upper anchor, this stirrup
continues down the inside of the leg, over the medial
maleolus, across the plantar aspect of the foot, over
the lateral maleolus, up the lateral aspect of the leg,
and ends at the lateral aspect of the upper anchor.
Proper tension must be applied to cause some
eversion of the foot, thus helping to reduce inversion.
Ankle Taping:
5)
6)
Apply the first of three horseshoe strips. The first
horizontal strip is started on the medial aspect of the foot,
continues toward the heel and below the medial
malleolus, crosses the achilles tendon below the lateral
malleolus, and ends on the lateral aspect of the foot.
Repeat steps #4 and #5 twice, overlapping the tape onehalf its width. These interlocking strips should provide
additional support for this technique. The completed
portion of this closed basket weave has sets of
interlocking stirrups and horseshoe strips. Apply a
proximal anchor for support. For proper adherence,
apply compression to the tape so that the tape conforms
to the body part.
Ankle Taping:
7)
8)
Apply the first heel lock strip. Begin on the anterior
portion of the upper anchor. This lateral heel lock will
continue down the outside of the leg, crossing the
achilles tendon, around the medial aspect of the heel,
angling underneath the foot, and moving up the lateral
aspect of the leg. Proper tension must be applied to
insure stabilization of the calcaneus.
Apply the second heel lock strip. Begin on the anterior
portion of the upper anchor. This medial heel lock will
continue down the inside of the leg, crossing the achilles
tendon, around the lateral aspect of the heel, angling
underneath the foot, and moving up the medial aspect of
the leg.
Ankle Taping:
9)
10)
A figure of eight is applied next. Starting on the dorsal
aspect of the foot, move medially down the inside of the
foot, across the plantar portion, up the outside of the foot
to the starting point. Continuation of the tape will
proceed medially around the lower leg crossing the
achilles tendon, and finishing at the origin of this figure of
eight technique. By encircling the foot and lower leg, this
technique will assist in dorsal flexion and eversion.
Final closure strips are then applied. Begin proximally
and work distally. From the upper anchor, apply
individual circular strips around the extremity to cover
tape ends. Make sure you overlap the tape
approximately one-half its width on each strip.
Ankle Taping:
Turf Toe Taping:

Use of this technique:
 This taping supports the ligaments of the MTP joints and protects
the articular surfaces.

Supplies Needed:
 Zinc oxide, tufskin

Common Mechanisms of Injury:
 Sudden stop
 The foot slides forward in the shoe
 Resulting in compression of the MTP joint and severe dosiflexion of
the great toe.

Most common in the following sports:
 Most prevalent with athletes competing on artificial turf.
Turf Toe Taping:

Taping Instructions:
 Patient Position:
○ The athlete is long sitting on the bed with the MTP joint in slight
1)
2)
3)
4)
flexion.
Begin with an anchor strip around the transverse arch of the foot.
Another anchor should be placed around the great toe just below the
level of the nail. Be very careful not to put too much tension on this
anchor thus causing a tourniquet effect.
Place a longitudinal strip from distal anchor to proximal anchor crossing
the medial aspect of the MTP joint.
Place two diagonal trips across the joint on the plantar surface and two
diagonal strips on the dorsal surface ensuring that the X these strips
make lies on top of the MTP joint.
Finish with an anchor around the great toe and another around the
transverse arch overlapping by half a tape width.
Turf Toe Taping:
Achilles Tendon Taping:

Use of this technique:
 To limit range of dorsiflexion and decrease
tension on the achilles tendon.
 Used for chronic conditions, or return to sport
post-injury.

Supplies Needed:
 Elastic tape, tufskin, zinc oxide, heel and lace
pads

Common Mechanisms of Injury:
 Acute = Sprinting, jumping (eccentric
contraction).
 Chronic = Tendonitis, chronic strains.
Achilles Tendon Taping
Taping Instructions:
1) Position = Ankle placed in plantar flexion and knee in slight flexion.
2) Apply two anchors using 3” elastic tape. The proximal anchor
should be applied on the proximal aspect of the gastrocnemius.
The distal anchor should be applied around the heads of the
metatarsals (ball of the foot). It is preferred that this circular strip
begins on the dorsal aspect, goes laterally, continues across the
plantar aspect, to medial side of the foot, and crossing the tape
ends.
3) Using 3” elastic tape, measure on the posterior aspect the distance
between the proximal and distal anchors. This will be the length
required for your support strips. The first support strip of elastic
tape is applied, going from the proximal to the distal anchor. Upon
application, full tension should be applied to the tape ends. You will
note that the slight knee flexion and plantar flexion is maintained so
that there is a small degree of tension across the first support strip.

Achilles Tendon Taping:
Additional strips of support are applied in
an angular fashion to cover the posterior
aspect of the lower leg and the plantar
aspect of the foot. For proper adherence,
apply compression to the tape so that the
tape conforms to the body parts.
5) (Using 3” elastic tape, close up the
procedure by overlapping the tape by
one-half its width on each revolution.)
6) Secure the elastic tape ends with anchors
of zinc oxide tape.
4)
Achilles Taping:
Anterior / Posterior Compartment Shin
Splints:

Use of this technique:
 To decrease pain and tension on
anterior/posterior shin muscles.
 Used on chronic conditions.

Supplies Needed:
 Tufskin, ultralite, zinc oxide, foam padding strip

Common Mechanisms of Injury:
 Overuse (prolonged running, biking, skating, etc)
 Biomechanics
 Training techniques
Anterior / Posterior Compartment Shin
Splints:

1)
2)
3)
4)
Taping Instructions:
Place a strip of thin foam padding over affected area.
Apply an adhesive tape strip. Begin the tape one to two
inches below the distal end of the felt pad, proceed
laterally, cross the achilles tendon an pull the tape and
felt back against the tibia. Tear the tape.
Apply four to six additional overlapping adhesive tape
strips as applied in step #2.
NOTE = Instructions are for pain on the medial aspect of
the tibia. For pain on the lateral side of the tibia, pull the
tape in the opposite direction.
Anterior / Posterior Compartment Shin Splints:
Finger Taping:

Use of this technique:
 To provide support and prevent re-injury of MCP
and IP joints.

Supplies Needed:
 Zinc oxide (1/2” strip)

Common Mechanisms of Injury:
 Jammed finger, sprains, return to sport post-
fracture.
Finger Taping:

1)
Taping Instructions:
Apply ½” adhesive tape around the
proximal and distal aspects of the affected
and adjacent phalanges. This technique is
known as buddy taping.
Finger Taping:
Patellar Strap:

Use of this technique:
 To decrease the tension on the sub-patellar
tendon.
 Used to prevent pain caused by a tight
quadriceps muscle, pain caused by osgoodeschlaters, and/or growth pains.

Supplies Needed:
 Pre-wrap
Patellar Strap:

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Wrapping Instructions:
Have the athlete standing with the injured leg forward. The leg
should be slightly bent at the knee, and should be bearing weight
to create tone in the muscle.
Position the prewrap so that the top edge is on the patellar tendon
(below the patella).
Roll the prewrap around the leg, approximately eight times.
Tear the prewrap, and roll the bottom edge up towards the knee,
creating a ‘band’.
NOTE: Tape is not required because the prewrap will stick to
itself and hold once it has been rolled. Adjust the band (if
necessary) so that it is positioned in the middle of the tendon.
Patellar Strap:
References:
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University of Toronto, Bachelor of Physical and
Health Education, Lecture notes 1997-2001
Sheridan College, Bachelor of Applied Health
Science in Athletic Therapy, Lecture Notes
2003 – 2007.
Wright, KE, Whitehill, WR, The
Comprehensive Manual of Taping and
Wrapping Techniques, Cramer Products Inc.,
USA, 1996.
Cartwright, LA, Pitney, WA, Athletic Training
for Student Assistants, Human Kinetics, USA,
1999.