You may have noticed that some volleyball players tape their fingers and even their wrists if you’ve played for a long time or you’re just starting out. Why Do Volleyball Players Tape Their Fingers? There are several reasons why volleyball players tape their fingers.
There are two main reasons why you should tape your fingers: to add strength and to protect the finger from injury.
How Do You Tape Your Fingers?
Volleyball players must tape their fingers correctly to get the most out of finger taping. If possible, seek advice from a coach, trainer, or doctor before taping your fingers. The following is our best general advice if that’s not possible.
How to tape your fingers for volleyball:
1. Make sure your hand is flat on a hard surface.
2. Put gauze neatly between your fingers to tape together, or just wrap it around the finger you wish to tape alone.
3. Secure the finger(s) by wrapping athletic tape three times around the base.
4. Cover the finger joints with extra tape to ensure extra security.
Taping your fingers purposefully and correctly is easier if you understand why volleyball finger taping is done. Discover why you should tape your fingers and some tips for speeding up the healing process of an injured finger as you read on.
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What Is Volleyball Finger Taping & Why Do Volleyball Players Wear Tape?
The sport of volleyball is not the only one in which fingers or other body parts are taped. A number of athletic sports have discovered the benefits of taping, with volleyball being one of the most common sports to use finger taping.
In finger taping, athletic tape is applied directly to the finger’s skin to help keep the finger stable. It prevents the finger from moving unexpectedly or painfully, which could cause further damage. The following benefits can be gained from volleyball finger taping when it’s done correctly:
- Promotes finger healing.
- Provides extra strength to the finger, reducing the likelihood of finger injuries.
- Ensures that the injury will not be aggravated.
- Reduces the time it takes for injured players to return to play.
A player should consider the reason for taping, as well as the most effective way to tape for that reason, in order for finger taping to be effective. Players cannot just tape up their fingers and hope for the best.
Different Reasons for Volleyball Finger Taping
The following reasons for taping volleyball fingers and recommended techniques will help you know how to tape them correctly.
Taping volleyball fingers for added strength
The pain of hitting a finger on a table or wall can last quite some time…especially if the finger has to heal before you can use it again. The very reason volleyball players require a little extra strength is because of this.
When it comes to hitting a volleyball, the fingers are quite vulnerable, especially because they do not have any protective layer. Taping fingers together is one way to strengthen them. The process is known as “buddy taping”.
Tape your fingers in the following way to give them added strength:
- Gauze can be placed between the two fingers you wish to tape together by folding it up. During the game, there will be no friction or discomfort due to this.
- Start at the base of your fingers, holding the gauze firmly in place and rolling the athletic tape around them. You should not apply the tape too tightly, as this can cut off circulation in your fingers or make you uncomfortable during the game.
- Make sure the joints of the fingers are wrapped with athletic tape.
- Additionally, you can cover your fingers with tape if you want your nails to be protected.
Taping volleyball fingers to protect your nails.
Fingernails that break off in volleyball are most painful for blockers and hitters. Taping your fingers so that the nail is protected could be helpful if you practice and compete frequently.
You can suffer quite significant pain if your nails break at the tip or in the finger bed, or if they bleed. There is a big difference between taping your fingers in order to increase strength and taping them specifically to protect your nails.
Tape your fingers as follows to protect your nails:
- Approximately 3 inch pieces of tape should be used.
- Over the fingerprint area of your fingertip, attach one end of the strip.
- Take the strip and wrap it around your fingertip, down over your nail, and onto your finger. Ensure that the tape is applied to the fingernail area.
- Make sure the strip covering the nail is firmly attached to the finger with another 3-inch piece of athletic tape.
Taping volleyball fingers to prevent bending
It is sometimes recommended to keep a finger straight after being bent back during training or swollen from impact. You need to do this to avoid experiencing pain or injuring your already sensitive finger during a volleyball game. Using a criss-cross tape technique on the back of the joint is the only way to stop the finger bending.
In order to prevent bending while playing volleyball, you can tape your finger as follows:
- From the outer side of the finger, wrap the tape carefully around the finger. Begin taping just above the first joint of the knuckle.
- Wrap the tape almost to the end of the finger and pull it over the opposite knuckle diagonally.
- Wrap the tape around the finger again and cross it over the top. It will now be impossible for the finger to bend.
Taping volleyball fingers To Protect A Sprained Or Injured Finger
An injured or damaged ligament on the side of the finger strains and requires time to heal. When a finger is sprained, it is usually swollen and difficult to move.
Using the finger too much can simply prolong the symptoms, so it is best to give it a couple of days to rest and repair. Players should tape their sprained fingers if they intend to practice or use them. This will protect them and speed up their recovery.
Tape a sprained finger as follows:
- The sprained finger should be wrapped with gauze on a flat, hard surface.
- Make sure you wrap athletic tape around the base of your finger (this helps reduce swelling). Add strength and security by repeating this about three or four times.
- Wrap extra tape between the finger joints to further protect the healing finger.
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How To Speed Up Healing Of Jammed/Sprained Fingers From Volleyball
Volleyball players are prone to finger sprains and injuries. If you want your finger to heal properly, you must treat it correctly in order to get back on the court as soon as possible. If you have a jammed or sprained finger from volleyball, here are a few tips to speed up the healing process.
- In the event of an injury, you should stop playing immediately. While you might be driven and dedicated, pushing through may result in more injury/damage and keep you off the court longer than you would like.
- It is always a good idea to consult a doctor if you are unsure of the extent of your injury. If it feels like more than a jam or sprain – the pain is severe and you cannot move your fingers – then it may be a fracture, and you will need medical attention.
- Apply some ice to your fingers by bundling it in a towel or bag. The application of ice compresses can be repeated every 15 minutes for up to three days.
- Reduce the inflammation in your finger to help it heal. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can be taken over the counter to aid in the healing process.
- Your fingers should be taped with athletic tape by a buddy. Using tape on two fingers helps to give the finger more strength and prevent further injury, even if you only have one finger injured.
- Keep moving the finger through its range of motion when it starts healing. Each finger should be stretched and straightened gently before being bent at the joint. Take a few seconds at a time to move and hold. For the finger to heal without losing its range of motion, repeat a few sets every day.
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Best Finger Tape For Volleyball
Hampton Premium White Athletic Finger Tape
When it comes to finger tape, I wouldn’t spend a lot of time finding the best brand or style. The cost is very low, so try out a few types and see what you think.
The finger tape that we recommend is Hampton Premium White Athletic Finger Tape. In addition to keeping your fingers covered, the .3 inch width keeps them from being overprotected. You can retain your protection for the duration of the match with this tape (as much as you can expect).
In any case, if you find another brand that works for you, you should use it. You should always test any product before your match to ensure that it does not irritate your skin. It is possible for certain adhesives to cause skin irritation in some people. For 30 minutes prior to using the game, we recommend wearing a small amount on your finger.
You can also check other volleyball equipment like rebounders and knee pads.
Faqs
Does finger taping affect a player’s performance in volleyball?
Providing better grip and stability by taping fingers can actually boost a player’s performance.
How long does finger taping typically last during a volleyball game?
Taping can vary in duration, but it’s usually applied before and removed after games.
Can finger taping completely prevent finger injuries in volleyball?
There is no guarantee that it will prevent all risks, but it plays a significant role in lowering them.
Is finger taping allowed in all volleyball leagues and competitions?
Most volleyball competitions and leagues allow finger taping.
Are there any specific rules or guidelines for finger-taping in volleyball?
Players and opponents must be kept safe when taping, regardless of the rules and guidelines.
Conclusion
The taping of volleyball fingers must be done strategically to provide strength and support. You can avoid injuries that would require you to tape your finger in between or during practice or games by taping your finger during practice or competition!
To continue to be a valuable teammate, make sure you protect yourself from injury.
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