Chapter 10 Wrapping and Taping Techniques

CHAPTER 10
Wrapping and Taping Techniques
OVERVIEW

In sports, tape can be used to retain wound dressings, stabilize compressiontype wraps, control external and internal hemorrhaging, and support recent injuries
to prevent additional insult that might result from the activities of the athlete.
Wraps are used for various functions such as support and in emergency first aid.
The use of taping and wrapping skills requires a great deal of practice and
experience before a high level of proficiency can be developed.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After studying Chapter 10, the student should be able to:
Explain the purpose of elastic wraps and demonstrate the application on a
variety of body parts.
Demonstrate site preparation for taping.
Identify the various types of tape that can be used.
Understand the function of different taping techniques per body part.
Demonstrate basic skills in the use of taping in sports on a variety of joints and
body parts.

KEY TERMINOLOGY

Dressing - A covering, protective or supportive, that is applied to an injury or a

wound
Pre-Wrap (Underwrap) A roll of thin porous foam used to protect the skin under
a taping procedure
Prophylaxis - Preventive treatment used in the prevention of disease or injury
Spica A figure-8 wrap in which one loop is larger than the other; usually used
on the shoulder, hip, or thumb
Tape Grade - Indication of the quality of tape based on the number of
longitudinal and vertical fibers per inch of backing material
Tape Remover An alcohol based liquid used for removing adherent residue from
the skin
Wrap A strip of cloth or other material used to cover a wound

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What is the difference between a dressing and wrap? What are the uses of each?
2. What types of tape and wraps are available? What is the purpose of each type?
What qualities should you look for in selecting tape?
3. How would you prepare an area to be taped?
4. What method should you use to tear tape?
5. What methods are available to remove tape from an area?
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Chapter 10 Wrapping and Taping Techniques

6. What are some general rules for tape application and why should you follow
them?
7. What are some common taping procedures used on the major joints or areas of
the body?

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Chapter 10 Wrapping and Taping Techniques

CLASS ACTIVITIES
1. Bring into class the different types of tape used in the athletic training room.
Discuss their uses and the qualities to look for when purchasing tape.
2. Have the class practice tearing tape. They can use scrap rolls from the athletic
training room.
3. Demonstrate how to prepare an area for taping.
4. Take each joint or body part and demonstrate the common taping procedures
used to give support to that area. Have the students pair up and practice these
taping procedures on each other. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
using tape as a supportive device. Demonstrate the various methods that can be
used to remove tape.
5. Demonstrate the common types of wraps used in sports medicine. If enough
supplies are available, divide the class into small groups so that everyone can
practice using these skills.

WORKSHEET ANSWERS
Matching
1.
2.
3.
4.

c
k
l
h

5.
6.
7.
8.

d
b
f
i

9. a
10. j
11. e

Short Answer
12.Non-Elastic white adhesive tape and elastic adhesive tape
13.When pulling the tape from the body, be careful not to tear or irritate the skin.
The tape should be pulled in a direct line with the body and the skin should be
carefully removed from the tape.
14.Store it in a cool place stacked on its flat top or bottom to avoid distortion.
15.Compression of an acute injury to limit swelling, to secure a dressing for a
wound, to hold an ice bag of pad in place and to provide support to injured soft
tissue structures
16.An arch sprain, shin splints and plantar fasciitis
17.Hold the tape tightly in both hands, make a quick scissors like movement to tear
the tape with one hand moving away from the body and the other hand towards
the body.
18.For compression of new injuries, support for soft tissues and for holding wound
dressings in place
19.The skin can become irritated.
20.The size of the body part and the contours of the body part to be taped
21.The retention of wound dressings and for moderate muscular support
22.To secure a dressing in the antecubital fossa or to restrain full extension in
hyperextension injuries
23.To support a groin strain, hip adductor strain, or hip flexor strain
Listing
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Chapter 10 Wrapping and Taping Techniques

24.Providing compression to minimize swelling in the initial management of injury

25.Reducing the chances of injury by applying tape prophylactically, for prevention,
before an injury occurs
26.Providing additional support to an injured structure
27.Tape grade
28.Adhesive quality
29.Winding tension
30.Manual removal
31.Use of tape scissors or cutters
32.Use of chemical solvents
33.Wrapping should always begin distally and move proximally
34.The body part should be wrapped in a position of maximum muscle contraction
to allow for unhampered movement and circulation.
35.Use a large number of turns with moderate tension rather than a limited number
of turns applied too tightly.
36.Each turn should overlap at least one half of the previous wrap to prevent
separation of the material.
Essay
37-45.See Athletic Injury Management Checklist (Page 184)
46-50.The skin surface should be clean and dry. Hair should be removed by shaving
to prevent additional irritation when the tape is removed. If additional
adherence is needed, spray the area with a quick drying tape adherent. Use
a protective covering of pre-wrap, one-two layers thick, over the skin to
minimize skin irritation. Provide heel and lace pads in areas of sensitive skin
or in areas where tape irritation may result. (Pages 179-182)

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Chapter 10 Wrapping and Taping Techniques

NAME ______________________________
SECTION__________

CHAPTER 10 WORKSHEET
Wrapping and Taping Techniques
MATCHING: Match the following terms with the appropriate response.
______ 1. Tape grade
______ 2. Elastic wrap
______ 3. Dressing
______ 4. Arch taping
______ 5. Closed basket weave
______ 6. Pre-wrap
______ 7. Adhesive spray
______ 8. Taper remover
______ 9. Heel and lace pads
______10. Spica
______11. Elastic adhesive tape

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.

A product that helps to decrease

the occurrence of blisters and tape
cuts
A lightweight foam material used
to protect the skin under taping
procedures
Quality based on the longitudinal
and vertical fibers per inch of
backing
Used to support chronically weak
ankles
A product that has conforming
qualities and used on small,
angular body parts
Used to help tape adhere to the
skin
Used to support the medial, plantar
surface of the foot
An alcohol based liquid used to
remove adhesive from the skin
Figure 8 wrap with one of the two
loops larger
A device used on an acute injury to
control swelling
A covering that is applied to an
injury or a wound

SHORT ANSWER: Answer the following questions with a brief response.

12.What are the two types of tape generally used in sports medicine?
13.How should the manual removal of tape be performed?
14.How should tape be stored?
15.

Elastic wraps are used for what purposes?

16.What conditions can arch taping be used to support?

17.What is the technique for tearing tape?
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Chapter 10 Wrapping and Taping Techniques

18.When is a spica wrap generally used?

19.When tape is applied and removed daily, what can occur?
20.What determines the size of the tape to be used?
21.For what purpose is the shoulder spica predominantly used?
22.What is the function of an elbow figure-8 wrap?
23.The hip spica serves what two purposes in sports?
LISTING: List three specific objectives for wrapping and taping techniques.
24.
25.
26.
List three factors to be considered when purchasing non-elastic white adhesive
tape.
27.
28.
29.
List three methods of removing adhesive tape.
30.
31.
32.
List four factors that should be followed when using an elastic wrap.
33.
34.
35.
36.

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manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.

Chapter 10 Wrapping and Taping Techniques

37-45.Identify the basic rules that should be applied when using adhesive tape.

46-50.Describe the steps taken in preparing the ankle for taping.

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manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part.