Protective Taping of the Wrist

Purpose: To prevent excessive hyperextension or hyperflexion of the wrist during sporting activity.

Materials Needed:
-prewrap (optional)
-1.5 inch athletic tape

Apply a single layer of prewrap around the wrist and hand.  Start on the forearm just above the wrist and wrap in a circular motion around the wrist and hand.  (Prewrap prevents the tape from pulling hair out of the skin, but it decreases the effectiveness of the taping.)

Apply one anchor strip around the forearm and one around the hand.  (As you go between the thumb and index finger fold the tape underneath itself on the thumb side, so the tape doesn't pinch the web of the thumb).

Apply 2 strips of tape from anchor to anchor forming an X.  This X is what is going to prevent hyperflexion or hyperextension, so place the X on the palm side of the wrist to prevent hyperextension, or place the X on the back of the wrist to prevent hyperflexion.

Start the figure 8 by placing a strip of tape over the anchor of the palm of the hand and go through the thumb and index finger (remembering to fold the tape) to the back of the hand, then around the bottom of the hand to the wrist.  Continue wrapping in a circular motion up the wrist until you cover the anchor strip on the wrist. 

5A.  Start a strip of tape over the anchor on the palm of the hand, and go around the base of the thumb and end on the anchor strip on the back of the hand.

5B.  Apply two more strips of tape, half way overlapping the previous one, until the open area below the base of the thumb is covered up.  (Cover up to the base of the thumb, but not on the thumb.)

Apply 3 figure 8's, starting at the anchor on the palm of the hand as before.  Go around the hand and wrist once (that's the first figure 8), and then go back to the palm of the hand to make 2 more figure 8's.  After the third figure 8, continue wrapping up the wrist until you cover the anchor strip on the wrist.