What Does Each Tape Do and How Do I Use Them for Sport

We know tape!

In fact, it's probably our specialist subject, believe it or not. We're sure that you're familiar with the names, and even the uses, of a few of our tapes, but do you know what they all do? Each has a purpose and it could be that the one that you're least familiar with is the one that you need the most.

This is our quick and easy to read guide explaining what each of your pitch-side physio's favourite tapes do and how they can be used in sport. 

Chances are you've heard of K Tape.

In short, it's a stretchy, cotton (or synthetic) tape designed to mimic the elasticity of the skin. It’s used by athletes and therapists worldwide to support joints, muscles and tendons and it's steadily become one of the most used tapes in sport.

There's so many ways that K Tape can be applied and we're discovering more all the time! From our experience, the most common places that you'll see it applied is on knees, calves and shoulders.

If you'd like to learn how to apply K Tape for a number of different injuries, check out our learn page now!

Zinc Oxide Tape is definitely a must-have for sports therapists and pitch-side medics.

If you're looking to immobilise an area, this is the one for you. It's non-stretchy and provides with you with a perfect level of support that can be used in any sport. Because of its strength, it's most often used to strap joints, like ankles, shoulders and knees.

With that in mind, let's work out which kind of Zinc Oxide Tape you need for what...

Both Zinc White and Zinc Tan use the same adhesive, hence the name. The crucial difference is that they are made from two different fabrics.

The White rolls are made out of cotton and ideal if you need some Zinc and you're on a bit more of a budget. The Tan is our go-to choice. It's made from a synthetic material called Rayon, this makes it 2x stronger. They're regularly used in rugby to strap and stabilise joints, like the ankles, knees or shoulders.

We can't forget the Finger Tape.

It's simple, but can be so effective. It's your frontline defence against common injuries like sprains, dislocations, and even fractures. It's also an effective aid for healing existing injuries by restricting movement and easing strain on affected joints and tendons.

Check out our blog on how to use Finger Taping in sport.

You'll likely know it as EAB. It's probably the most versatile rugby tape in your kitbag. It can be used for everything from providing light support and compression, to protecting thumbs and wrists.

If you pair it with a Zinc Oxide roll, then you've got yourself a perfect strapping combination. It's regularly used to secure Lifting Blocks, protect ears and stabilise and compress nearly every joint you've got.

There are two different types, Tearable and Non-Tearable. 

You're going to want to choose Tear EAB if you're looking for a faster taping option. Nowadays, it is used more than its counterpart as it's lightweight, flexible and often used for compression, light support or covering a Zinc Oxide application.

The Non-Tear option is made from a slightly heavier fabric. It's semi-rigid and has a much higher tensile strength. It’s suitable for supporting non-weight bearing but heavily loaded joints like the shoulders, elbows and knees. But the 2.5cm size is often used for thumbs.

You might know it as Cohesive Bandage, or you might know it as Sock Wrap.

If you want to hold up your team socks, or your shin pads, this is the one for you. Sock Wrap is a more effective choice than regular Sock Tape as it's wider and has no glue, meaning it can be re-used game-after-game and is kinder on any area of exposed skin.

It's totally self-adhesive, meaning it isn't sticky to touch. Just wrap, rip and press. And, it's a great option for joint support, injury compression and providing flexible protection.

Anyone who’s played a game of football knows that your socks aren’t always staying up for a full 90 minute game without some help. It’s the secret to securing shin pads and bridging that gap between your grip socks and team socks.

It is also occasionally used by goalkeepers to strap up their fingers! For the leg, however, the player will wrap the Sock Tape around their calf and then fold the top of the sock back over. Simples.

Another thing it's regularly used for is securing your Lifting Block applications and occasions your head/ear applications in rugby. 

Do you get blisters when you're lifting in the gym? Yeah, say goodbye to that.

Thumb Tape is a form of EAB, which is used to wrap up thumbs, and occasionally fingers, in order to protect your skin. It's super easy to use and the super stretchy fabric is perfect for weightlifters and CrossFit trainers. 

You may have heard a few different names for Fixation Tape. We usually just call it Fix.

It's strong, breathable and super sticky. It conforms easily to any area of the body. It’s quickly becoming essential for every club therapist’s kitbag.The acrylic adhesive is much kinder to the skin making it perfect for sensitive areas of the body.

It's ideal for your strapping applications and great if you're taping a sweatier athlete.

Finally, we come to Underwrap.

This super simple pre-taping option, is essentially a thin layer of foam that is wrapped around a joint or muscle, before overlaying it with strapping tapes, like Zinc Oxide. Or in other words, it protects the skin, allowing for easy and pain-free removal. It’s made from a lightweight foam that is porous, water-repellent and really easy to use.

And that's it! A quick and simple guide on exactly what each and every one of our tapes do. If you want to learn more about any of them, check out our learning materials, read through more of our blogs or drop us an email. We're more than happy to help!