Taping your cleats, commonly referred to as "spatting," is a popular practice among athletes to enhance ankle stability, provide extra support, keep laces secure, and prevent debris from entering the shoe during play.
Why Tape Your Cleats (Spatting)?
Spatting your cleats offers several advantages, contributing to both performance and injury prevention on the field. It's a method to customize your footwear for optimal comfort and support.
Benefits of Spatting Cleats
- Enhanced Ankle Support: Provides an additional layer of stability, particularly for movements involving quick cuts and lateral shifts, which can help prevent sprains.
- Improved Foot and Ankle Stability: Reduces micro-movements of the foot within the cleat, leading to a more secure feel.
- Lace Security: Keeps shoelaces tied and tucked away, preventing them from coming undone during intense activity and reducing tripping hazards.
- Debris Prevention: Helps seal off the top of the cleat, minimizing the entry of mud, turf pellets, or dirt.
- Custom Fit: Allows athletes to achieve a tighter, more personalized fit, especially with older or slightly stretched cleats.
- Injury Prevention: While not a substitute for proper ankle bracing, it can offer a degree of protection against minor twists and rolls.
Materials You'll Need
Before you start, gather the necessary supplies to ensure a smooth taping process:
- Athletic Tape: Typically 1.5 inches wide, non-elastic. You might need one to two rolls per cleat, depending on the desired coverage.
- Pre-wrap (Optional): A thin foam under-wrap that protects the skin from tape adhesive and reduces friction.
- Scissors: For cutting the tape cleanly.
- Adhesive Spray (Optional): Can be used with pre-wrap to help it stay in place.
Step-by-Step Guide to Taping Your Cleats
Follow these steps for an effective cleat taping application, designed to provide maximum support and comfort.
1. Prepare Your Cleat and Ankle
Ensure your foot and ankle are clean and dry. If using pre-wrap, apply it directly to the skin around your ankle and the top of your foot. This creates a protective barrier and can make tape removal easier.
2. Apply Base Strips
Begin by wrapping base strips of athletic tape around the top and bottom sections of your cleat, just above the sole and around the ankle opening. This initial layer is crucial as it creates a clean, smooth surface—a "clean slate"—for the subsequent tape layers to adhere to effectively and without wrinkles. Ensure these strips are snug but not overly tight, allowing for full range of motion.
3. Create Anchor Strips (Ankle Support)
Starting just above the ankle bone, wrap one or two full strips of tape around your lower shin/upper ankle area. These serve as the top anchor for the support strips. Similarly, place one or two strips around the midfoot, just above where the cleat's upper meets the sole.
4. Form the "X" or "Figure-8" Pattern
This is the core of the cleat's support system.
- For Ankle Support: Starting from one of your top anchor strips (on the shin), bring the tape down diagonally across the front of the ankle, under the arch of your foot, and then back up diagonally across the other side of the ankle to meet the top anchor strip again. Repeat this pattern to form an "X" or figure-8, ensuring it covers the ankle bones for maximum stability.
- For Midfoot Support: If you need more support around the midfoot, run tape strips from the top of the cleat, across the laces, and under the arch, securing them to the base strips.
5. Secure the Taping
Once your support patterns are in place, apply several closing strips horizontally around the ankle and top of the foot. These strips cover the edges of the "X" or figure-8 patterns, securing them firmly and preventing them from peeling. Work your way down from the ankle to the top of the cleat, overlapping each strip by about half its width.
6. Finishing Touches
After applying all the tape, gently press and smooth down any loose edges or wrinkles to prevent irritation and ensure durability. Flex your foot and ankle to check for comfort and mobility. The tape should feel supportive but not restrict circulation or cause discomfort. If it feels too tight, it's better to remove it and re-tape.
Tips for Effective Cleat Taping
- Use Pre-Wrap: Always consider using pre-wrap to protect your skin and make tape removal much easier and less painful.
- Smooth Application: Apply tape smoothly without wrinkles to prevent blisters or pressure points.
- Check Circulation: Ensure the tape isn't too tight by checking for tingling, numbness, or discoloration of your toes. You should be able to wiggle your toes freely.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Taping cleats effectively takes practice. Don't be discouraged if your first attempts aren't perfect.
- Tear, Don't Cut: Most athletic tape is designed to be torn by hand, which can be quicker and more convenient than using scissors during the application process.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Taping Too Tightly: This can restrict blood flow, cause discomfort, and lead to more serious issues.
- Taping Too Loosely: Loose tape won't provide the desired support and will likely come undone quickly.
- Leaving Gaps: Gaps in the tape can create weak points and allow the tape to peel prematurely.
- Using the Wrong Tape: Elastic tapes are generally not suitable for spatting cleats as they don't provide rigid support.
- Taping Over Laces Loosely: Ensure laces are tied and tucked before taping to prevent them from becoming loose underneath the tape.
Taping Styles and Their Purposes
Different taping techniques can emphasize various aspects of support and protection.
| Taping Style | Primary Benefit | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| Full Ankle Spat | Maximum ankle stability and support | High-impact sports, athletes with ankle history |
| Midfoot Wrap | Arch and midfoot support, lace security | Players seeking general stability |
| Lace Lock | Prevents laces from coming untied | All athletes, especially on turf fields |
| Partial Spat | Light support, aesthetic | Athletes needing minimal support |
For additional guidance on sports injury prevention and equipment use, reputable sources like the National Athletic Trainers' Association or American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offer valuable information.
