SmartPlay : Taping


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Taping
Why tape?
prevention protection of an existing injury.
Preparation
	shave or wax skin 2 days prior to strapping wash skin with warm water soapy water avoid moisturisers and oils on skin test skin for allergic reaction.
Equipment
scissors table various tape.
Selection of tape
use beiersdorf® strapping tape rigid leukoplast® tape elastic adhesive leukolastic widths 38mm. and 75mm.
Room and player organisation
table at least to height or trainer's waist position of player's foot dorsi flexion and eversion (up and out).
General rules of strapping
hold roll of tape so roll is uppermost as you unwind it don't use players limbs as an anchor to pull tape off the roll. Pull it out yourself and then lay it around on the limb to ensure correct tension narrow strips of tape tend to be easiest to work with overlap each strip of tape by half the width of the previous turn to ensure strength always talk to the player, ask how it feels check the player when finished to see if circulation is maintained. Press on toe and see if when you release your pressure the part soon returns to pink colour again. avoid wrinkles as they cause blisters.

The anchor
	use 38mm. rigid LEUKOPLAST® tape start with both your hands underneath leg come up at an angle just lay these on - no tension apply 2 anchors the 2nd. should overlap the 1st. by half.
The Stirrup
Most essential part of ankle strapping start with the foot dorsiflexed (toes pointing upwards) and everted (foot turned slightly outwards). use 38mm. rigid leukoplast® tape start on the medial (inside) side on anchor come down over ankle (slightly to the back) under heel (over the fat pad on the bottom of heel) pull up and apply tension as you attach to lateral side of anchor apply 2 stirrups both slightly both forward of the previous one at the top of each (notice fanning) but with all directly on top of each other as you come under the heel avoid - contact with the base of the 5th metatarsal and all wrinkles which may cause blisters
The figure 6
	(Extra reinforcement and support against inversion/eversion injuries) use 38mm. rigid leukoplast tape start on the anchor on the medial side, run underneath the fat pad of the foot to the outside edge of the heel, then up across the instep, join on starting down strip of Fig 6 depending on the severity of the injury you may do an extra Fig 6 in this direction you can also do 1 or 2 from the lateral side (outside)
Locks
To ensure the top of the stirrup and Fig 6 stay in place use 38mm. rigid LEUKOPLAST® in 1 continuous roll exactly the same as for the anchor
Figure 8 & Closing Down
	to ensure a firmer hold of the tape use 75mm. LEUKOLASTIC in one continuous roll don't pull directly from roll as it will become too tight start of foot aimed at angle 2 or 3 laps each overlapping the last leaving 10mm. showing each time there should always be a perfect pattern finish at angle upwards
Have player stand and test for comfort

All these products are available from your local National Pharmacy.

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This page last updated : 14th June 2001