SCHOLASTIC COACH

we use in dealing ‘with the more vul-
nerable parts of the anatomy.

Ankles

While there are a good many well-
known ankle wraps, all of which are
undoubtedly effective, we have em-
ployed a fairly simple football strap
which has given us complete satis-
faction. Our ankle bandage consists
of two 20-inch strips applied as fol-
lows: The first strip starts on the outer
border of the foot, runs over the long
metatarsals and is then drawn around
under the instep and then firmly up
on the outside.

The second piece starts from the
inside of the leg about four inches
above the ankle joint, and then goes
around underneath the heel and is
fastened firmly on the outside. We
make an effort with this piece to pull
the tape up firmly both on the inside
and outside, using slightly more pres-
sure on the outside. We do this because
almost all ankle sprains occur on the
outside of the ankle joint. Two pieces
of one half-inch tape about a foot long
are used to anchor the two-inch tape
strips. It takes about a minute to apply
the strips to both ankles.

We emphasize in our ankle strap
very little extension of the toes, except
in the case of kickers who are per-
mitted a good deal of extension. All
four ends of the ankle strips are split
down about three inches from the end,
and are separated in a “V” shape when
applied. The ankle strap is left on all
during the week and is replaced for
each game or as often as the case de-
mands. Some times the tape becomes
loose and must be replaced for each
scrimmage.

Knees

All knees are strapped with a modi-
fied “Duke Simpson” bandage. We use
one piece of adhesive tape about 30
inches long, and a piece of felt cut in
the shape of a capital letter “I”. This
piece of felt varies in length according
to the size of the boy’s knee. It is gen-
erally about a foot long and is cut so
that when placed underneath the knee
joint, both of the enlarged ends will
furnish lateral support to the knee
joint, particularly opposite the in-
ternal and external cartilages.

The adhesive tape is applied so that
an equal amount of tape extends be-
yond both ends of the felt. This is ap-
plied as follows: In order to avoid too
much stiffness in the joint and also to
prevent possible splitting of the tape,
we permit the boy to flex the knee
slightly. The felt is placed under-
neath the knee joint. The tape is split
down to where it comes in contact with
the felt on both ends, and then is drawn
in diamond fashion around the knee
joint—leaving the knee cap free. Con-
siderable pressure should be applied

Left: Ankle Wrap

This bandage should be applied with the leg
extended over the table and the foot held at
a 90 degree angle. The tape is pulled up firmly
both on the inside and outside of the foot.