A lot of football fans wonder why players wear tape on their ankles and shoes before a game if they watch football frequently.
Football players tape their ankles for several reasons. Initially, they do so to provide more support for their ankles, but it can also assist in reducing blisters and helping them recover from injuries.
The following is a breakdown of the main reasons why football players tape their ankles and shoes.
Supporting their Ankles
Football players tape their ankles in order to provide them with more support. Ankle injuries are common in football.
The risk of developing these injuries can be reduced by taping heavily around your ankle and shoe.
It provides a level of protection that players don’t typically have. If their ankle bends in an unnatural way, the tape will prevent it.
A player’s ankle will usually be taped up by a trainer before the game. This will help prevent ankle injuries.
Limit their Movement
A common reason for football players to tape their ankles is to limit their ankle movement.
The more an ankle bends, the more pain a player may feel when playing with an injured ankle.
Tape can be used to restrict ankle movement by wrapping it around the ankle and shoes. This prevents the ankle from flexing too much and causing pain.
The practice of tapping the ankles is known as spatting, and it is used by football players from high school to professional levels.
Keep Shoes Firmly on (Blisters)
Football players tape their ankles and cleats in order to prevent blisters. They can firmly secure their feet in their shoes by tapping their ankles to their shoes.
A player’s foot will not rub against his shoes this way.
It is quite common for players to acquire blisters on their heels and toes during a game. These blisters can be quite painful and hinder players from performing at their highest level.
They can avoid blisters entirely by tapping their feet in place.
Negatives of Tapping your Ankles in Football
After learning all the benefits of tapping your ankles in football, you may wonder what the downsides are.
Lack of Mobility
The main disadvantage of spraining your ankles in football is the lack of mobility. Though this might help players who have ankle injuries, it can also hinder performance.
The ability to bend their ankles is essential for defensive ends who need to get lower to the ground by flexing their ankles.
This type of performance effect can be seen in different football positions by tapping the ankles of defensive ends.
As a result, many football players do not tape their ankles.
Covering Sponsors
Taping your ankles and cleats in football also covers sponsors. Many professional and college teams sign deals with shoe companies to wear their equipment.
By taping around your cleats, you’ll cover this logo, something sponsors don’t like.
Some sponsors have even contacted the team to let them know fewer players are able to roll their ankles.
You can learn more about tapping our ankles in football by checking out why football players tape their arms or fingers.