Taping Woes for a USA Warrior

[Maximw61 0]

Hello all. I'm new here.

I have a terrible issue involving my ankles. See, I was in the military and got injured and now I'm playing for the USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program. You may have seen us on the cover of your USA Hockey magazine December 2009. (I'm the guy with the long hair). I usually tape my ankles tight because of how weak they've become, but I am curious about any alternatives to taping like straps that hold super tight for my Ankles. If you need an example, look up maxim afinogenov and look at his ankles. That's how I tape and would like to save money on tape and find a permanent alternative. (you can also see a shot of me skating in the article "the warriors way" inside. You can sort of see my ankles there). Any help/ ideas are very very appreciated. Thank you.

-Max Wade

[Chadd 916]

You could possibly use a neoprene strap/wrap with velcro and then a single wrap of tape to hold it in place. It wouldn't take much to modify an off the shelf wrist or ankle strap for that purpose. While I'm not familiar with your injury, I know that the kids I've coached that heavily taped their ankles never developed any strength there. Best of luck to you and thanks for your service.

[Maximw61 0]

Hmm. That may work. Where do you think I could find one that's big enough to wrap the back tongue thing if the skates, plus shinguard? Since I tape everything stiff. Thanks gain for that idea.

If anything else pops into mind, let me know.

[chk hrd 164]

I used these braces for soccer. The field we played on were really bad and I hurt both ankles pretty bad. I used to wrap them with tape but it got to be to big of a pain.

McDavid Brace

They worked really well and are not to big or expensive.

Good luck and thanks for everything you did for us.

[Maximw61 0]

Thanks chk hrd, but I'm actually looking for something I can strap around the "spine" piece of the skate, and my shinguards (tongue tucked underneath) to basically solidify the foundation. As I said before, I usually tape it all together, but I'm tired of buying tape. It almost feels like a waste of money after awhile.

[number21 3]

What about some JR or kid sized shin straps? Like Chadd said, you may have to alter them so they fit even tighter. It seems like the elastic might not hold up too long either. So it might be the cost of buying and altering these vs. the cost of tape.

Or maybe an ace bandage? You'd have to add something to keep it attached instead of the little metal bits they usually have.

Or my final idea, skate laces. Though those might damage your tendon guard.

[Maximw61 0]

I was thinking about using laces but I have no real good way to tie them without it dangling everywhere. The dangling is my job haha.

[TBLfan 25]

A good amount of guys buy longer laces and wrap around the ankle before they tie it in a bow. They don't use two sets of laces, just one lace per skate. It might work but I doubt it will be the same as tape.

[Neal 41]

I bought a strap from Northern Tools that is very similar to this one on their website. The key difference mine has is that it doesn't have hooks, it is one circular strap that can be tightened down to any length no matter how short. the strap is 8' long, but it could be cut down to any length.

I think something like that would allow you to get it tight as you want it and reuse. If you can't find one that is a single strap, you could always take one to a car upholsterer and have him cut the ends off, shorten it and stitch the two pieces together.

Another idea would be to use industrial velcro straps. Those would be harder to tighten though.

[Maximw61 0]

That strap loooks like a phenominal idea.

[Half 2]

http://www.icewarehouse.com/descpage.html?pcode=SAT What about something like that? I used those growing up and I'm pretty sure my brother could use some now. Did a great job of keeping everything tight.

[Maximw61 0]

You know half? That may just be the ticket. Maybe I'll have to pick up a pair. Just hope they're big enough. Thanks for the research bra.

[Chadd 916]

http://www.icewarehouse.com/descpage.html?pcode=SAT What about something like that? I used those growing up and I'm pretty sure my brother could use some now. Did a great job of keeping everything tight.

I just got a catalog that had a similar item in it. I was going to look for someone that had it at retail, but no need now.

[Maximw61 0]

They look like they'll work very well.

[Neal 41]

Those should be perfect. Basically the same as my idea, just actually designed for hockey.

[SirJW 207]

http://www.icewarehouse.com/descpage.html?pcode=SAT What about something like that? I used those growing up and I'm pretty sure my brother could use some now. Did a great job of keeping everything tight.

You can also find straps like that for snowboarders in a ski/snowboard/skate/surf shop.

[syko_hockey 0]

Thank you for your service

[epstud74 24]

How did the straps work Max?

[Half 2]

You know half? That may just be the ticket. Maybe I'll have to pick up a pair. Just hope they're big enough. Thanks for the research bra.

No worries. After what you did I can spend 15 minutes looking for what I know as "Lay-Z Legs" They were pretty big when I had them so I hope they work out for you. Keep us informed.

[Maximw61 0]

I have yet to order them. But it's the first thing on my list, next to a new visor. Thanks all for your insight.

And for those saying "thanks for your service", I was just serving my country.