Why don't they all tape their ankles?

[guava_wrench]

I started another thread before I saw this about the scientific studies involved:

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=74181.msg1758365#new

[guava_wrench]

yeah I somewhat agree about the ankle taping.  I had a really bad sprain playing basketball, rolled the ankle stepping on another players foot.  Was on crutches for 2 weeks, and for the rest of the season I had that ankle taped every day before practice and games.  At first it was cumbersome, but after you got used to it, it didn't seem to impair movement or speed that much.  You get used to the support that the tape job provides, and when you don't have it the joint feels a bit weaker.

I just don't know if a good ankle tape job would have prevented what happened to Smart or not?  Seems like it would have at least helped somewhat.

The problem with taping is that you need to retape multiple times during a game as sweat and movement with loosen it up to the point of it doing nothing.

[csfansince60s]

I started another thread before I saw this about the scientific studies involved:

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=74181.msg1758365#new

+1 for the research.....the second article on disputing whether high tops are more effective even asserts, though,that the fewest incidences of sprain occur with lower shoes but with laced supports

...so whether you believe the high top is better research or the low top, still the inevitable conclusion is that additional support via tape/brace/lace supports helps both prevent sprains and their severity, should they occur

[mgent]

Same reason they don't all wear hightops.

which is? (an honest question since i dont know the reason.)

I would like to know too?  I look at those small shoes that some guys were and just think that is not good.

I guess the lighter shoes make them quicker?

Like GetLucky said, it's just about comfort.  If you think about it, they're built just like boots, to immobilize your ankle so it doesn't twist as easily (same with tape).  Guys say they feel quicker with the extra mobility/flexibility.  Even if it's 100% mental, if it takes a tenth of a second off your 40, that's all that matters.

Now, in football, when people are applying force to your body trying to get your ankles to give, hightops are much more important, even if it costs you a couple tenths of a second.  In basketball though, guys are more willing to give that up that protection seeing as they only have to support their own body weight, not someone tackling them.

[Rondohara]

Taping (or bracing) should be mandatory, no doubt about it.

The 76ers tape every player (or they wear a brace), the trainer says in here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivUVmDljLy8

[crimson_stallion]

Same reason they don't all wear hightops.

which is? (an honest question since i dont know the reason.)

A few research studies have shown that the likelihood of a sprained ankle is not increased when wearing low top shoes playing basketball. I'm pretty sure most athletes just do it for the comfort.

However, I have yet to play basketball in shoes below the ankle.

Edit: here's one of the studies: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8368420 just so you all don't think I pulled the info out of my backside

From my experience, it all depends on the shoe itself rather than purely "high top vs low top". 

I do honestly feel that as a general rule high tops do give more support and reduce the risk of rolling an ankle.  I say this mainly because I've never (in my entire life) rolled an ankle while wearing high-tops (or even mid-tops) but I have had a few minor rolls while wearing low tops.

However, there are exception in both cases.  For example the Kobe 8 / Kobe 8 Elite is one of the lower cut shoes out there, but despite being one of my most played-in shoes I have never rolled an ankle in them.  The way the shoe is designed and cut it gives excellent ankle support and stability despite the fact that it's low cut.  The same is true for the CP3.VII, another low cut shoe that I have found to be extremely stable and supportive.

On the other hand the CP3.VI AE was a shoe that I had worn only 5-10 times because every second or third time I played in that shoe, I would end up with a minor ankle sprain at some point in the game.  I'm not sure what exactly it is about the shoe, but it got to the point where I was too cautious about injury, and so I would play slower and less aggressively every time I wore that shoe.

When it comes to mid or high tops I've had no problems.  Lebron 11, AJXX8 SE, Melo M10, AJ XX3, Rose 3.0, Penny V, Superfly 2, etc.  I've played many aggressive hours in each of these shoes, and never even come close to rolling an ankle.