Why Do Volleyball Players Tape Their Fingers - The Finger Taping Secret

Read Time:6 Minute, 35 Second

If you’ve ever viewed a volleyball match, you may have noticed that the players tape their fingers with great care. It serves a very important function; it is not just for show.

We’ll explain the rationale for volleyball players’ finger-taping in this article. Finger taping is important for player safety and performance because it not only offers support and stability but also helps to prevent common finger injuries.

This article will explain the significance of finger taping in the game of volleyball, whether you’re a die-hard fan, a player looking to improve your abilities, or simply interested in sports customs.

Table of Contents

What is Volleyball Finger Taping

Why Do Volleyball Players Tape Their Fingers - The Finger Taping Secret

Volleyball is not the only sport where you might tape your fingers or other body parts. Many athletic sports have come to appreciate the benefits of taping, with volleyball being the most popular sport for finger taping.

In order to help the finger maintain a stable position, finger taping involves applying athletic tape directly to the skin of the finger. This lessens sudden or painful movements of the finger, which could cause more harm and discomfort. When done right, volleyball finger taping offers the following benefits:

Helps the finger’s healing process.
Provides the finger with additional strength, which helps lower the risk of potential finger injuries.
Lessens the chance that the injury will get worse.
Quicker return to play after injuries of players.

Naturally, in order for finger taping to be successful, a player needs to think about why they want to tape and then research the best method of taping for that particular goal. It is not enough for a player to tape up their finger and hope for the best.

Different Reasons for Volleyball Finger Taping

Consider the following rationales for taping as well as the suggested techniques before you tape your volleyball fingers.

Added Strength

If you’ve ever taken a hard blow to the finger, whether it be on a table or a wall, you know that the pain can last for a long time while the finger heals. Exactly for this reason, volleyball players require a little extra strength when competing.

For the fingers, hitting a volleyball can be quite painful, especially since they have no protective layer at all. Taping your fingers together is one way to give them more vigor. This is called “buddy taping”.

Give your fingers added strength by taping your fingers in the following “buddy” way:

The gauze should be folded and placed between the two fingers you want to tape together. This eliminates the possibility of conflict or discomfort during play.
Holding your two fingers together, roll the athletic tape around them beginning at the base while maintaining a firm grip on the gauze. Applying the tape too tightly can restrict blood flow to the fingers or just make it uncomfortable mid-game. Be careful not to do this.
The finger joints should be covered with an additional piece of athletic tape.
If you want to cover the tips of your fingers as well as your nails, you can add a second strip of tape.

Protect the Nail

When it comes to fingernails breaking off in volleyball, blockers, and hitters experience the most pain. Taping your fingers in a way that protects the nail may be advantageous if you frequently practice and compete.

Your hands may experience severe strain and excruciating pain if you have nails that break at the tip or in the finger bed, or if they are bleeding. The process of taping your fingers specifically to protect the nail is very different from taping your fingers for added strength.

Protect your nails by taping your fingers in the following way:

Use tape with lengths that are roughly 3 inches.
Just above your fingertip, where your fingerprint is, attach one end of the strip.
Pull the strip down over your nail and onto your finger, covering the top of your fingertip. Ensure that the fingernail area is covered by the tape.
To firmly hold the strip covering the nail in place, use another 3-inch piece of athletic tape to wrap it around the finger.

Prevent Bending

Occasionally, you’ll want to keep a finger straight if it has been slightly swollen or bent back from impact during training. This is crucial if you want to play volleyball without hurting your finger, which is already sensitive, or inflicting serious damage. The only way to prevent bending is to crisscross tape the finger on the back of the joint.

How to tape your finger to prevent it from bending during volleyball games:

Beginning with the outer side of the finger, carefully wrap the finger in tape. Start the tape from just above the knuckle (1^st joint).
After almost completing a full wrap, pull the tape diagonally across and under the finger to the opposite diagonal side.
Wrap the tape by crossing it back over the top of the finger. The finger can no longer bend at this point.

Protect a Sprained Or Injured Finger

The side of the finger becomes strained and needs time to heal if the ligaments there are torn or injured while playing volleyball. Usually swollen and challenging to move, a finger that has been injured.

It is best to let the finger rest and heal for at least two or three days because overusing it will only make the symptoms worse. Taping the finger will protect it and speed up healing if the athlete plans to practice with their injured hand or finger.

How to tape a sprained finger:

Apply gauze to the sprained finger while working on a flat, hard surface.
The base of the finger should be wrapped in athletic tape or stretchy compression tape (which can help reduce swelling). To increase security and strength, repeat this process three or four times.
Wrap extra tape strips between the finger joints to further protect the healing finger.

How to Tape Fingers for Volleyball

The hand you want to tape should be placed on a solid surface. To ensure that it is simple to wrap and secure the tape to the desired part of your fingers, you need something stable.
Gauze should be taken and folded properly. You’ll sandwich it between the fingers you’re taping together. Reducing friction prevents moisture from wicking up too much. If you only need to tape one finger, simply wrap the gauze around the finger to achieve the same result.
Take some athletic tape, and firmly wrap it around the base of each of your fingers. At least twice, and ideally three times, you should go around. More than that will result in your fingers becoming overly tightly wound, which could ultimately limit your range of motion while playing.
Between the joints of your affected fingers, place an additional piece of tape. The fingers in question will be further protected and some security will be added.

Should You Tape Your Fingers for Volleyball Practice?

The intensity of the session and the condition of your fingers play a large role in this. In other words, if your fingers are weak due to injury or any other reason, then I highly recommend taping them even if the session is not supposed to be that intense.

Otherwise, it’s up to you and your preferences if your fingers are in good health!

Finally, it is strongly advised that you simulate the same conditions that will exist during the game if you are getting ready for a big game that is coming up. In fact, if you’re going to tape your fingers while playing, you should do it during the warm-up so the ball will feel similar, which will make your preparation more effective.