Why do Volleyball Players Tape Their Fingers?

White strips are a common sight on the fingers of volleyball players. But why do athletes wear tape on their fingers? What does finger tape do? There are many reasons and techniques to explore if you’re considering this strategy yourself.

The Purpose of Finger Taping for Volleyball

Finger taping is a common strategy for volleyball players as a preventive measure and supportive solution after an injury. Why do volleyball players wear tape on their fingers? What is finger tape used for? Below are some of the many benefits of taping fingers for volleyball.

Strength

Finger taping for volleyball provides added support and strength to your fingers, enabling a more forceful impact on the ball.

Injury Prevention

Finger taping can help prevent some sports injuries. The fingers are especially vulnerable when you’re playing volleyball. One study of young volleyball players found that a whopping 43% of upper extremity volleyball injuries involved the fingers. Over 57% of volleyball-related fractures occur in the fingers.

Healing Support

Sprained or jammed fingers are not uncommon in volleyball. Serious players can get back on the court more quickly by taping their fingers to support healing. Taping one finger to the next is an effective way of naturally splinting and stabilizing the injured finger.

Skin and Nail Health

Unprotected, your fingers are likely to suffer from dry skin and scrapes. Excessively dry skin can crack, causing further discomfort and pain. Broken fingernails, besides being unsightly, can be quite painful as well. Taping the fingers can help protect this part of the body.

Volleyball Finger Taping Techniques

Zinc oxide volleyball athletic tape for fingers is the best product for wrapping your fingers for volleyball. Using the proper volleyball tape for fingers will protect your skin and nails without causing additional damage.

Volleyball players typically tape their fingers either singly to prevent bending at a specific joint or doubly in a method known as buddy taping. Buddy taping involves taping two fingers together to increase their strength. If one finger is injured, buddy taping can provide added support and protection as that finger heals.

Any time you tape your fingers, it’s important to leave the tape loose enough for circulation. The fingers shouldn’t change colors or lose sensation while they’re taped, as this indicates that the tape is too tight.

How To Tape Your Fingers Step-By-Step

You can tape your fingers in several ways, depending on your goals. If you’ve suffered any finger injury, you should follow your health care provider’s recommendations for taping techniques. They may recommend a specific approach that’s most appropriate to your issue.

Keep Your Finger From Bending

Wrapping the finger in an X shape supports the joints and enhances finger strength. With this method, you should be able to bend your fingers slightly while enjoying added support. Here’s how to wrap your fingers to keep them from bending:

1. Begin on the outside of the finger above the first knuckle and wrap the tape around the finger once.
2. Wrap the tape over the knuckle in a crisscross fashion, making an X shape.
3. Cross the tape under the finger again, bringing it around to the top and wrapping it in one full circle.
4. Bring the tape up over the other side of the knuckle in another X shape.
5. Repeat this process for the second knuckle.
6. Complete with a final wrap around the finger.

Support With Buddy Taping

Buddy taping helps support adjacent fingers. You can use this technique to support a weak finger or improve its general strength. Here’s how to buddy tape your fingers:

1. Place a piece of gauze between the two fingers you will tape together.
2. Wrap the tape around the base of the two fingers three times, overlapping the layers.
3. Wrap the tape around your fingers between the first and second joints.
4. Use a new strip of tape to wrap the fingertips, beginning at the bottom of the nails and working over the fingertips.
5. Reinforce the fingertips with a final piece of tape over the top.

Protect the Nails

You can add nail taping to any type of finger taping. This is handy for keeping your nails intact and preventing cracks or breaks. Here’s how to tape your fingers to protect your nails:

1. Start the tape on the pad of the finger with the torn end of the tape facing down toward the finger.
2. Pull the tape up over the top of the fingertip and down over the fingernail.
3. Wrap a second piece of tape horizontally around the finger so it overlaps both ends of the first piece and holds it in place.

Advanced Tips and Tricks for Effective Finger Taping

If you injured your finger, finger taping may be part of the treatment regimen. Always consult your doctor before trying these techniques to make sure they’re appropriate for your situation.

If your finger is swollen, you can tape it to help keep the swelling down. Start at the tip of the finger below the nail and wrap the tape in a spiral manner down the finger. Gradually reduce the pressure as you work your way down the finger. As previously mentioned, there should be no tingling sensation, as this indicates that the tape is too tight.

Elevating Your Game With Proper Finger Taping

If you want to add finger tape to your game to increase the strength and ferocity of your moves, you can experiment with the methods above at any time. The ring finger and pointer finger are the most common targets for finger tape among volleyball players. Try a few techniques to find the approach that elevates your game most effectively.

Get Expert Care for Your Hand Health

If you’re concerned about a finger injury and want to treat it with taping, consult with a health care professional before you start. Our experts at The Hand and Wrist Institute can diagnose any issues with your hands or fingers and help you treat injuries, promote effective healing, and strengthen your fingers going forward.

A group of young men playing a game of volleyball by HorseRat is licensed with Unsplash License

Dr. John Knight

Dr. Knight is a renowned hand, wrist and upper extremity surgeon with over 25 years of experience. Dr. Knight is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Fellowship trained. Dr Knight has appeared on CNN, The Doctors TV, Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Forbes, The Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, Oxygen network and more.