How To...

HOW TO TAPE AN ANKLE USING BODYASSIST 3.8CM RIGID ATHLETIC TAPE

HELPFUL HINTS FOR ANKLE TAPING
Tearing the tape can be difficult & frustrating to start with. Like anything, practice makes perfect. To tear, hold the tape between the thumb & index finger with both hands & be sure to leave little or no gap between the thumbs. Pull the thumbs in opposite directions to complete a perfect tear.
If the tape is applied with wrinkles it can lead to blistering & general discomfort. Make sure you smooth the tape as you apply it
Apply the tape to the natural curvature of the body angles. Do not force the tape in directions that feel unnatural or uncomfortable as this will lead to wrinkles.
Tape strips should overlap at least by approximately half the width of the tape & each area should have 2-3 layers of tape.
Do not apply the tape with excessive force as this may constrict blood flow & limit blood circulation around the joint.

POSITION
Place the ankle in a neutral position (90°). Be seated comfortably with the knee fully extended & with the lower leg off the table surface.
PREPARATION.
To prepare the skin simply clean & dry the lower leg, ankle, & foot. Apply a layer of pre-wrap if desired. Many athletes prefer to wax clean the areas to be taped to eliminate painful hair rips when removing tape. An optional extra may be to apply heel or lace pads to high pressure areas to help prevent blistering.
ANKLE TAPING PROCEDURE
The Bodyassist 38mm tape is most popular for this purpose.
STEP 1 - ANCHOR STRIPS.
Adhere 2-3 anchor strips at about one third of the way up the lower leg & also at approximately the mid point of the foot. These anchors can be taped directly to skin so as to ensure better adherence.
STEP 2 - STIRRUPS.
Attach the first stirrup by adhering to the inside upper anchor, flowing down the inside ankle, under the foot & up & over the outer edge of the ankle.
STEP 3 - HORSESHOE.
Now apply a ‘horseshoe’ by taping from the inside of the mid-foot anchor, back across the Achilles tendon, & finishing up on the outer anchor.
STEP 4 - STIRRUP/HORSESHOE REPETITION.
Repeat the stirrup & horseshoe techniques at least twice more. Each time change the position so the tapes overlap about half of the width. This should produce a basket-weave pattern.
STEP 5 - FIGURE OF 8.
At this point apply a figure of 8 pattern application to support & reinforce the overall ankle. Wrap the tape around the ankle, starting at mid point on the upper front, flowing downwards underneath the foot, up & over the opposite side, proceeding around the back of the leg, over the Achilles & finishing at the starting point, therefore creating a somewhat bent figure 8 shape.
STEP 6 - FIGURE OF 8 REPETITION.
Continue to apply more  figure of 8 pattern applications, overlapping by half the tape width until the ankle is fully covered. The back of the heel is not taped.
STEP 7- LATERAL HEEL LOCK.
A Lateral (outer) Heel Lock is applied to support the back of the ankle. Start at the mid frontal area of the ankle (A) & flow to the outer edge of the foot, in a downwards direction, towards the back of the arch. Go under the foot & cup the heel as shown, moving in an upward direction across the Achilles tendon, over the outer edge of the side of the ankle & back on to where you started. Adhere the tape firmly.
STEP 8 - MEDIAL HEEL LOCK.
A Medial (inner) heel lock is applied in the opposite direction of the Lateral Heel lock. Start at the mid frontal area of the ankle (A) & flow to the inner edge of the foot, in a downwards direction, towards the back of the arch. Go under the foot & cup the heel as shown, moving in an upward direction across the Achilles tendon, over the inner edge of the side of the ankle & back on to where you started. Adhere the tape firmly.
STEP 9 - HEEL LOCK REPETITION.
Repeat both Heel Lock applications a second time for greater support. Heel locks are complicated & may take some practice to master.
STEP 10 - COMPLETION.
Apply any final tape strips around the ankle as required to ensure a complete application.