Buddy Taping Fingers and Wrist Taping

Students practice two taping jobs that come up often in ball sports: buddy taping a mildly sprained finger and a basic wrist tape job. They work on technique, protecting the skin and knowing when an injury needs to see a doctor.

How to play

1. Intro (3 min): using a volleyball example, the teacher shows how a jammed finger is protected by taping it to the healthy finger next to it with gauze in between.
2. In pairs (5 min): place a folded gauze pad between the fingers and two strips of tape, one above and one below the middle knuckle, leaving the joint uncovered.
3. Check (2 min): the taped student gently makes a fist while the partner checks color and feeling in the fingertips.
4. Wrist tape (6 min): with the hand open and fingers spread, apply two anchors, an X across the back of the hand and loose circular closing strips.
5. Function test (2 min): the taped student mimics a chest pass and a volleyball set with a partner, without a ball, and says whether the tape restricts too much.
6. Wrap-up (2 min): remove the tape and each pair names one red flag that means seeing a doctor, such as deformity or severe pain.

Rules

• Gauze between the fingers is required to prevent blisters.
• Never tape a deformed finger or one that can't move: splint it and refer.
• For wrist taping, the hand stays open with fingers spread.
• Work seated and keep scissors on the table when not in use.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited hand mobility: the student coaches the partner verbally step by step and inspects the result.
• Deaf or hard of hearing: project or hand out a sheet with photos of each step.
• Advanced students: tape the partner's non-dominant hand and teach the technique to another pair.

Learning goals

• Apply correct buddy taping for a mild finger sprain.
• Tape a wrist without cutting off circulation.
• Recognize signs that a hand injury needs medical care.

Equipment for a class of 25

• athletic tape (1 in rolls): 13
• gauze pads: 30
• blunt-tip scissors: 6

Teacher tip

Stress that buddy-tape strips must not cross the joints: if the tape covers the knuckle, the finger can't bend. Have strips pre-cut by size.

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