How athletic tape can help prevent sprains in bandy 2026

Summary: This article discusses what actually prevents sprains in bandy, and why it usually comes down to equipment, warm-up, and playing surface rather than a single product. It is written for players, parents, and coaches who want to understand what truly reduces the risk of the foot turning in a tackle or a quick change of direction. The reader will receive concrete, general methods to reduce the risk of sprains, as well as which parts of the equipment actually play a role in this context.

It happens in almost every game, usually in the same type of situation: a player breaks away at full speed, plants their foot for a quick turn, and the foot turns the wrong way before the brain can react. An ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries in bandy, precisely because the sport combines high speed with rapid changes of direction over a large area. Preventing sprains rarely involves a single product – it's about a combination of proper warm-up, stable equipment, and a playing surface the player can actually trust. We often see players and coaches focus on treatment after an injury has already occurred, while the preventive habits that actually reduce the risk are neglected. This is especially relevant early in the season, when the body has not yet accustomed itself to full exertion and the muscles around the ankle have not had time to build the same stability as later in the winter. In this article, we'll go through what concretely reduces the risk of sprains in bandy – from warm-up and balance training to how equipment should fit to provide the best possible support.

Warm-up that prepares the ankle for quick changes of direction

An ankle that hasn't been properly warmed up is less stable and slower to react when a quick turn is required in the middle of play. This is one of the most common causes of sprains early in a game, especially if the warm-up has focused mostly on conditioning and too little on mobility and responsiveness in the joints. We often see teams perform the same standardized warm-up regardless of what the game will actually demand of the players in terms of movement. A simple way to reduce the risk is to include short, quick changes of direction in the warm-up – not just straight-line skating – so that the ankle and surrounding muscles have time to prepare for the movements that actually occur during the game. After 10–15 minutes of warm-up with these types of movements, players usually feel noticeably more stable in the first tackles and turns, compared to a warm-up that only consisted of straight-line skating and stretching.

Balance and strength training built off the ice

The musculature around the ankle is what actually resists when the foot lands in an unusual position, and that musculature is not built during the game itself – it is trained between practice sessions. Players who lack this strength and balance are more dependent on luck to avoid a sprain in a tackling situation. This is particularly evident in younger players who are growing rapidly and temporarily lose some of their proprioception, i.e., the body's sense of where the joints are in space. Simple balance exercises, such as standing on one leg with light resistance or using a balance cushion a couple of times a week, gradually build up that stability. It's not about long sessions – ten minutes, two to three times a week, makes a tangible difference over a season in how stable the foot feels under load.

Skate lacing – the concrete step that supports the ankle the most

Of all the things that can actually be done directly related to equipment, it is the lacing of the skates that has the greatest impact on ankle stability. A loosely laced skate provides significantly worse support against twisting, meaning that the load during a quick turn or tackle falls more on the ligaments than on the boot itself. Use Waxed Skate Laces and tighten the lacing hardest over the ankle bone, where support against twisting is most needed, rather than at the very top of the boot shaft. You can achieve this with Waxed Skate Laces because the waxed lace holds the knot in place better throughout an entire period, unlike an unwaxed lace which gradually loosens and causes the support to deteriorate without the player immediately noticing it. In practice: always re-lace after warm-up, as the lace stretches slightly with heat, and re-check the tightness during the intermission if the game is particularly physical.

Playing surface, equipment check, and when it's time to rest

A playing surface that is uneven, hard, or unfamiliar to the player increases the risk of the foot landing in a position it is not prepared for, especially when playing away on a rink the team does not regularly practice on. It is worth taking a few extra minutes before the game to familiarize yourself with the surface, especially at transitions between ice and boards. In addition to skate lacing, a general equipment check is valuable as part of the same routine – a shin guard that has slipped out of place or is loose can cause the player to unconsciously compensate with an unnatural movement to protect the leg, which in turn increases the load on the ankle during a tackle. Use Shin Guard Tape PRO as part of the regular equipment check before the game, so that no part of the equipment contributes to the player moving differently than usual. If a sprain still occurs, it should always be assessed by medical personnel before the player returns to the ice – none of these methods replace a medical assessment after an actual injury.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common cause of sprains in bandy?
The most common cause is a combination of insufficient warm-up, weak ankle musculature, and loosely laced skates that do not provide adequate support against twisting. Include quick changes of direction in your warm-up, not just straight-line skating, and check your lacing before every game and period. Balance training a couple of times a week off the ice gradually builds up the stability that makes the foot less vulnerable in a tackling situation.

Can proper skate lacing actually reduce the risk of sprains?
Yes, tight lacing over the ankle bone provides significantly better support against twisting than loose lacing, which is the most concrete, equipment-related action a player can take themselves. Use Waxed Skate Laces and tighten them hardest just over the ankle bone rather than at the very top of the boot shaft. Always re-lace after warm-up because the lace stretches slightly with heat, and check again during the intermission in a physical game.

How often should I train balance for it to make a difference for ankle stability?
Two to three short sessions a week, about ten minutes each time, is usually enough to build noticeably better stability over a season. Simple exercises like standing on one leg, preferably with light resistance or on a balance cushion, train the proprioception that makes the foot react faster when it lands in an unusual position. Make it a fixed part of your routine outside regular training, rather than something done sporadically.

Is a regular warm-up sufficient to prevent sprains?
No, a warm-up consisting only of straight-line skating and stretching does not prepare the ankle for the quick changes of direction that actually occur during a game. Add short, quick turns and changes of direction to your warm-up, preferably at the same tempo the game will demand. This ensures that the musculature and joints are already activated correctly when the first tackle comes, instead of the player meeting that load cold.

Does the playing surface matter for the risk of spraining an ankle?
Yes, an uneven or unfamiliar surface, especially when playing away on a rink the team does not regularly practice on, increases the risk of the foot landing in a position it is not prepared for. Take a few extra minutes before the game to feel out the surface, especially at the transitions between ice and boards. Feel free to adjust your tempo slightly at the beginning of the game until you feel confident about how the rink behaves.

Can a poorly fitting shin guard actually increase the risk of sprains?
Indirectly, yes – a shin guard that has slipped out of place can cause the player to unconsciously move differently to protect the leg, which in turn alters the load on the ankle during a tackle. Use Shin Guard Tape PRO as part of your regular equipment check before the game, so that no part of the equipment contributes to an unnatural movement. Check all equipment as a whole, not just the skates, before every game.

What should I do if I have already sprained my ankle during a game?
Stop playing immediately and let a coach or medical professional assess the injury before considering continuing – playing on a sprained ankle increases the risk of a more severe injury. Ice, rest, and elevation are standard measures in the acute phase, but the assessment of severity and return to play should always be made by medical personnel, not by the player themselves. Use the time off the ice to rebuild your balance training before returning fully.

Are sprains more common in younger players, and do they need a different focus?
Younger players during growth often temporarily lose some of their proprioception as their bodies grow, which can make them more vulnerable to sprains during certain periods. Balance training and clear instruction on correct skate lacing are especially valuable in this age group, as habits are often never established otherwise. Use Waxed Skate Laces and demonstrate concretely where the support should be, rather than just telling the player to lace tighter.