Goalkeepers taping their fingers is a common sight in football matches across all levels of the game. The distinctive white or colored tape wrapped around a goalkeeper’s fingers serves an important purpose in their game. In this article, we will explore the key reasons why goalkeepers tape their fingers and the benefits this provides.
Improved Grip
One of the main reasons goalkeepers tape their fingers is to improve their grip on the ball. Goalkeepers need to be able to securely catch and hold onto the ball, especially when diving to make saves. Fingertape provides extra friction that helps the keeper grip the ball and control it better. The tape reduces the chance of spillages and fumbles. Even in wet or icy conditions, the tape helps the keeper hold onto the ball. Taping individual fingers also helps get a more even and tighter grip around the ball compared to using gloves alone. The improved grip gives goalkeepers more confidence when catching and handling the ball.
Protection
Taping fingers also serves as protection from impacts and injury. Goalkeepers’ fingers regularly impact the ground, goal posts, and other players when diving for saves. Such impacts can lead to bruises, scrapes, dislocations, and even fractures over time. Taping the fingers helps stabilize the joints and acts as padding against hard surfaces. The tape helps prevent injuries like jammed and hyperextended fingers. For keepers who have previously injured their fingers, taping provides extra support and stabilization too. This protection allows keepers to fully extend and put their bodies on the line without fear of finger injury.
Support
Closely related to protection, taping also provides vital support to the fingers and hands. The tape wraps around and compresses the joints and tissues to give structural support. This helps stabilize the joints and prevents overextension. For goalkeepers with previous injuries, the tape offers supplementary stability and reinforcement. Taping certain fingers together can also restrict independent movement, which further supports the joints. This prevents the types of awkward contortions and over extensions that commonly lead to hand injuries. With their fingers properly supported, goalkeepers can confidently dive and catch without concern.
Reminder
Taping fingers also serves as a physical reminder for proper hand positioning and technique. Goalkeepers are trained to keep their hands in the optimal catching shape with fingers spread wide and thumbs behind the ball. Taping individual fingers helps cue proper spacing and technique. It provides a tactile reminder to avoid folding or squeezing fingers together, which can lead to spillages. The taping makes keepers more conscious of maintaining correct and safe finger positions. This improves catching technique and consistency during games.
Psychological Effect
There is also a psychological benefit to taping fingers. The act of taping up provides mental preparation and puts keepers in the right mindset. Like athletes wrapping their knees or wrists, it signals that hands will be needed for activity. This ritualistic process helps goalkeepers focus mentally on the game and the importance of their hands. The presence of the tape during play then acts as a subconscious reminder to protect the hands and use proper form. This instills confidence in the keeper’s own abilities.
Why Specific Fingers?
Goalkeepers most often tape the last three fingers on each hand – the pinky, ring, and middle fingers. This is because these inner fingers are most important for gripping balls caught with proper technique. The index finger and thumb are typically left untaped on the outside to allow flexibility and ball control. Let’s look at the purposes of taping each finger in more detail:
Pinky
The pinky finger provides support at the bottom of the ball and is integral to getting a tight grip. Sprains and fractures to the pinky can severely hinder catching ability. Taping it provides protection and stabilization against awkward impacts from shots.
Ring Finger
Like the pinky, the ring finger forms a key foundation in securing the bottom of the ball in gripping position. Jamming this finger against hard surfaces is common during dives and catches. Taping prevents hyperextension and reinforces the joint. This allows firmer grasping without fear of injury.
Middle Finger
The middle finger sits central to gripping position and bears a lot of force when catching balls. As the longest finger, it needs the tape for added support against over extension. Taping it also improves control and reminds keepers to keep the finger positioned properly behind balls for stability.
Index Finger
Most goalkeepers leave their index fingers untaped. While important for gripping, the index finger is needed for more finesse and manipulation of the ball. Taping can restrict quick adjustments of hand position and ball control. Goalkeepers often leave it untaped for flexibility.
Thumb
Like the index finger, the thumb generally remains untaped. This allows maximum mobility for adjusting hand position and directing the ball as needed. Goalkeepers rely on their thumbs to grip balls securely while also maintaining control. Taping the thumb would limit quick changes of direction and deflection of balls.
Common Taping Methods
While taping methods can vary by personal preference, there are three main techniques commonly used by goalkeepers:
Individual Finger Taping
This involves taping each finger separately with strips going around the base of each finger. It allows for individual support and protection for the pinky, ring, and middle fingers. Each finger can be taped looser or tighter as needed. However, it can be time consuming to tape each finger individually.
Buddy Taping
Buddy taping pairs two fingers together, often taping the pinky and ring finger together and then the middle finger separately. This is quicker than individual finger taping. It offers good support but less isolated protection for each finger.
Full Hand Taping
Some goalkeepers tape across the entire back of the hand in addition to the fingers. This provides support to the wrist and hand bones in addition to the fingers. However, mobility can be restricted compared to just taping select fingers.
Tape Types
Goalkeepers have various taping options to select from:
| Tape | Features |
|---|---|
| White athletic tape | The most common tape choice. It has good grip and support. |
| Colored athletic tape | Available in various colors. Provides grip with personalized style. |
| Foam tape | Cushioned foam backing provides extra padding. |
| Elastic tape | Allows more movement but less support compared to white tape. |
| Kinesiology tape | Used for recovery support. Not optimal for firm grip. |
White athletic tape is generally preferred by most goalkeepers for the ideal blend of traction, support, and comfort. Colored tape adds personal style. Foam or elastic tape can be used selectively for fingers needing more protection or mobility.
When to Replace Tape
Goalkeepers usually retape their fingers before every match. The tape loses its grip and elasticity during play, so new tape is needed for optimal performance. Replacing it before each game only takes a few minutes and ensures fingers remain properly supported and protected.
The tape also needs replacing any time it becomes excessively wet or dirty, as this further reduces its gripping ability and support. Reapplying at halftime can freshen up the tape after heavy activity in the first half. Some goalkeepers bring extra tape to games in case they need quick repairs during play for any tears or loosening. Having fresh dry tape for penalty shootouts is also recommended.
Outside of games, most goalkeepers remove the taping to allow their fingers to rest and recover. The tape generally should not be worn for extended periods daily to avoid restricting circulation or mobility when not actively making saves. But having fresh tape before each match is key.
Proper Taping Technique
To gain the full benefits of finger taping, goalkeepers need to use proper technique:
– Trim and file fingernails short to allow tight taping against the fingers.
– Thoroughly wash and dry hands to maximize tape adhesion.
– Apply pre-wrap around the fingers for extra cushioning and sweating absorption.
– Use rigid athletic tape designed for support, not gentle medical tape.
– Keep the tape taut as you wrap the fingers. Don’t apply too loosely or too tightly.
– Wrap the tape around the base of each finger for stability. Avoid covering finger pads.
– Seal the edges with extra overlapping tape to prevent peeling.
– Check mobility after taping and adjust if needed to allow flexing.
– Re-tape any fingers with loosening or damaged tape before games.
Proper taping takes practice like any skill. Goalkeepers should experiment with techniques to determine what works best for their hands and preferences. The more games of experience, the more adept keepers become at taping their own fingers quickly and reliably.
Conclusion
Taping fingers is deeply ingrained in the craft of goalkeeping across all levels of football. The distinct taping provides traction, protection, support, reminders and confidence for glovemen. The pinky, ring and middle fingers are commonly taped, while thumbs and index fingers are often left free for mobility. A variety of taping methods and materials are used by keepers for desired combinations of grip, flexibility, cushioning and stabilization. Replacing tape before each match ensures keepers get the full benefits during games as the tape degrades with use. While not an absolute requirement, finger taping gives goalkeepers an edge and eases the mental burden of putting their hands at risk. The extra bit of white tape boosts keeper performance and allows them to fully dedicate their hands to keeping balls out of the net.
