The benefits of taping sore joints and muscles in bandy (2026)

Summary: Bandy players are subjected to continuous stress on knees, ankles, and wrists during long playing times in the cold – and taping is a practical way to provide support, reduce discomfort of movement, and recover faster after an injury. This guide explains why players tape, which joints commonly need support in bandy, and how to do it correctly with the right materials.

It happens in almost every bandy team during a season. Someone twists their ankle during a quick change of direction on the bandy field. Someone else has a nagging knee after weeks of hard ice in sub-zero temperatures. Wrists take impacts during tackles and falls on the ice. None of this is necessarily a serious injury, but it is stress that builds up and affects how the player moves – and how long they can continue to play.

Taping sore joints and muscles is one of the simplest preventive measures a bandy player can use. It provides compressive support that reduces movement restriction, helps the player maintain joint stability during playing movements, and can reduce pain perception during persistent soreness after an injury. It is not a treatment and does not replace medical assessment of a serious injury – but for the daily maintenance of sore, overstressed joints, it is a valuable tool.

The sport of bandy places specific demands. Playing time is long, often 2 x 45 minutes, and takes place in cold conditions that make muscles and joints stiffer and more susceptible to overuse injuries. Taping that lasts through a hockey session needs to withstand cold, movement, and sweat – and it needs to be applied in a way that actually supports the joint's normal movement rather than restricting it.

Why bandy players tape – prevention and recovery

There are two distinct reasons why players tape joints before a practice or game. The first is preventive: the player has a sensitive or previously injured joint and wants extra support to reduce the risk of stressing it incorrectly during intense play. The second is reactive: an injury has occurred, the player is in the recovery phase, and taping helps them participate in training with controlled load.

Both situations are common in bandy, and it is important to distinguish between them – not because the taping technique necessarily differs dramatically, but because an injury in active recovery may require medical assessment before the player returns. A splinted ankle that is taped and played on without medical assessment can worsen. A sensitive ankle that is taped preventively before a normal training session is a standard measure.

Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape is a PVC tape for hockey and football with good stretch and an adhesive that holds against skin and sock during sports activity. Use Advance AT7 to wrap the ankle before a training session with a sensitive ankle – a simple figure-8 wrap around the ankle provides compressive support that reduces the joint's lateral range of motion and holds throughout the training session. The stretch of the PVC material allows the tape to follow movements without creating hard edges that cut into the skin.

Shin Guard Tape is a flexible alternative used for lighter compressive support and to secure the tape layer against the sock. Use Shin Guard Tape along the outer layer of the wrap to hold the Advance AT7 against the skin during playing movements – the soft surface structure of the shin guard tape makes it more comfortable directly against the sock surface.

The Ankle – The Most Common Injury Point in Bandy

The ankle takes the direct strain during changes of direction, stops, and falls on the ice. It is the most frequently injured joint in bandy, and it is the joint where taping provides the most immediate practical effect.

Preventive ankle taping with Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape is performed with a figure-8 wrap: start above the ankle, cross down under the arch of the heel, up along the outside of the ankle, over the top of the foot, and back up on the other side. Two to three turns provide stable support that reduces the joint's lateral range of motion without blocking normal movement during skating. Apply to dry skin or directly to the sock and press each layer firmly with the palm of your hand along the entire width.

Cold intensifies the need for support. When the musculature around the ankle is stiffer in sub-zero temperatures, the natural joint support normally provided by the muscles decreases. Taping that compensates for this – even temporarily until the body warms up – reduces the risk of sprain injuries during the first minutes of play.

Use Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape in a lightly compressive layer and finish with a layer of Shin Guard Tape along the outer side to keep the taping in place against the sock. Change taping before each game and practice – tape that has been on for an entire session has provided all the support it could and should not remain until the next day.

The Wrist and Knee – Support for Joints That Take Impacts

The wrist in bandy is exposed to impacts during falls, tackles, and puck contact at high speed. It is a joint that is rarely severely injured but can become chronically sore with repeated stress without support. Taping the wrist provides compressive support that stabilizes the joint's range of motion during the types of force impacts common in bandy.

Apply Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape along the entire circumference of the wrist in a spiral pattern, starting below the wrist and winding upwards with 50% overlap per turn. Avoid taping too tightly – the wrist should be able to bend in normal playing motion. The taping should provide a slight pressure that reminds the player of the joint's position, not block the range of motion.

The knee is a more complex joint and requires more attention to technique. For knee soreness from overuse, Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape can be used along the upper and lower edges of the kneecap for light compressive support. A simple wrap around the knee joint provides support for minor discomfort, but for more pronounced knee problems, a physiotherapist or doctor should be consulted before the player returns to full training.

Shin Guard Tape is used as an additional layer to keep the taping in place under the sock and reduces the risk of the tape layer twisting during playing movements. Apply the shin guard tape along the outer layer of the taping with even pressure.

A Simple Taping Routine Before Practice and Game

A taping routine for joints does not have to take long if it is standardized. Ten minutes before a practice session is enough to tape an ankle and a wrist with a correct compressive layer.

Always apply the tape to dry skin or to the sock if you prefer not to tape directly to the skin. Cold skin in a bandy environment adheres less well – if possible, warm the skin lightly with your hands or tape inside the changing room rather than on the bench along the rink in sub-zero temperatures.

Step one: apply Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape in a figure-8 around the ankle or in a spiral pattern around the wrist with 50% overlap and light tension. Step two: apply an outer layer of Shin Guard Tape to hold the taping against the sock and provide light support over the inner layer.

Immediately after application, check that the joint's normal range of motion is not blocked. The taping should provide compressive support, not restrict the movement the player needs to play. If the tape feels too tight or restricts the range of motion, remove it and reapply with less tension.

Remove the taping after practice or the game. Tape that remains on during and after a practice session can reduce circulation if swelling occurs in the joint. The tape does its job during the activity – afterwards, it's the rest period and any cold treatment that takes over.

FAQ

1. Can you tape your ankle in bandy before every practice for prevention?

Yes, it is standard practice for many players with sensitive ankles or a history of sprains. Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape in a figure-8 wrap around the ankle provides compressive support that reduces the joint's lateral range of motion and reduces the risk of sprain injuries during quick changes of direction. Apply to dry skin or to the sock, in 2–3 turns with light tension. Checking that the joint's normal movement is not blocked takes ten seconds – bend and stretch your foot after taping and ensure you can do so without resistance. If you are unsure whether the joint needs medical assessment: consult a doctor before returning to training with taping.

2. How long does the taping last during a bandy session?

Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape is designed to last for an entire training or game session in a sports environment. Sweat and cold somewhat affect the adhesive strength – in extreme cold, cold skin can result in poorer initial adhesion. Tape indoors in the changing room rather than outdoors in sub-zero temperatures for best results. If the taping starts to come loose during play – an edge lifting or a layer starting to roll – change it before the next period. Tape that is half-on provides half-support, and a layer that rolls up can become an irritation rather than a support.

3. Should you tape directly to the skin or to the sock?

Both work, and the choice depends on preference and comfort. Direct to skin provides better initial adhesive strength but can cause irritation for players with sensitive skin, especially with repeated taping during a season. To the sock reduces the risk of skin irritation and is more comfortable for most, but the adhesive strength is slightly lower. Use Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape against the sock and finish with Shin Guard Tape along the outer layer to keep the taping in place – this provides a compromise that offers good adhesive strength without direct contact with the skin.

4. Can taping an injured joint make the injury worse?

If the joint is actively injured – swollen, painful when bearing weight, unstable – a doctor or physiotherapist should assess it before the player returns to training with taping. Taping a joint in active healing can, in wrong cases, give the player a false sense of security leading to premature return and aggravated injury. Preventive taping of persistent but stable soreness is another matter. If in doubt: seek medical assessment. Tape is a support tool, not a treatment method.

5. How do you tape the wrist correctly to withstand tackles in bandy?

Apply Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape in a spiral pattern along the wrist, starting below the lowest point of the joint and winding upwards with 50% overlap per turn. Use light to moderate tension – the wrist should be able to bend for natural playing motion. Two to three layers provide compressive support that stabilizes the joint's range of motion during direct impacts. After taping, check that you can twist your wrist and bend it in all directions you need for playing movements. Finish with a layer of Shin Guard Tape along the outer side to keep the taping in place against the inside of the glove.

6. Does the tape material matter for support?

Yes. A PVC-based tape like Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape provides stretch that allows for the joint's natural movement while maintaining compressive pressure. A stiffer tape without stretch can block the range of motion and create hard edges that cause discomfort during bending movements. A tape that is too stretchy does not provide sufficient compressive support and quickly loses its function under load. Advance AT7's PVC material provides a good balance between stretch and stability for the stresses relevant in bandy.

7. Can tape be used as the sole protective equipment against contact injuries?

No. Taping is a compressive support and stabilization system – it does not protect against direct impacts and does not replace protective equipment such as shin guards, gloves, and helmets. It is a complement to the equipment, not a substitute for it. Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape provides support for the joint structure during movement stress, but in case of a direct hit from a puck or other object, it is the actual protective equipment that does the job.

8. How do you remove tape from your ankle without irritating the skin?

Remove the tape slowly and in a direction close to parallel with the skin rather than straight up. A quick removal causes more skin irritation and can leave adhesive residue if the adhesive is more strongly activated after a sweaty workout. If Advance AT7 Shin Guard Tape is applied directly to the skin and causes irritation upon removal: try applying it to the sock instead during your next taping. This slightly reduces the adhesive strength but eliminates skin irritation for most players. Wash the skin after removal if the tape has been on for a long time and applied directly to the skin.