Finger injuries are extremely common in sports. From jammed fingers in basketball to sprains in football, grappling, volleyball, and wrestling, athletes constantly put their hands at risk. One of the most widely used and trusted methods for protecting an injured finger is buddy taping.

Athletes at every level — youth, collegiate, and professional — buddy tape their fingers after injury because it provides stability, protection, and pain relief while still allowing movement. This simple technique has become a staple in sports medicine and athletic training rooms across the world.

So why do athletes buddy tape their fingers after an injury? Let’s break it down.

What Is Buddy Taping?

Buddy taping is a finger injury treatment method where an injured finger is taped to a healthy adjacent finger. The uninjured finger acts as a natural splint, limiting excessive movement while allowing functional motion.

Buddy taping is commonly used for:

• Jammed fingers
• Finger sprains
• Ligament injuries
• Stable finger fractures (with medical clearance)
• Post-dislocation support

Because it balances protection and mobility, buddy taping is ideal for athletes who want to continue playing while recovering from a finger injury.

1. Buddy Taping Provides Stability After a Finger Injury

One of the primary reasons athletes buddy tape their fingers is added joint stability.

After a finger injury, ligaments are weakened and joints become unstable. Buddy taping:

• Reduces lateral (side-to-side) movement
• Supports injured ligaments
• Helps control swelling-related instability

By stabilizing the injured finger without fully immobilizing it, athletes can safely return to sport activities sooner.

2. Prevents Re-Injury During Sports Play

Finger injuries are especially vulnerable to re-injury during contact, catching, blocking, or gripping. Buddy taping protects injured fingers by:

• Preventing awkward bending and twisting
• Absorbing impact through the stronger finger
• Reducing stress during collisions or grabs

This makes buddy taping extremely effective in high-contact and ball-handling sports.

3. Reduces Pain While Playing Sports

Pain is a major limiting factor after finger injuries. Buddy taping helps reduce pain by:

• Limiting painful ranges of motion
• Decreasing stress on inflamed tissues
• Providing a feeling of security and support

Many athletes report they can grip, catch, or compete more comfortably with buddy-taped fingers compared to leaving the finger unsupported.

4. Maintains Finger Mobility and Athletic Performance

Unlike rigid finger splints, buddy taping allows athletes to maintain function and grip strength.

This is critical in sports that require:

• Catching balls
• Gripping opponents
• Controlling equipment
• Hand coordination and dexterity

Buddy taping helps athletes stay competitive while protecting the injured finger during the healing process.

5. Supports Healing Without Complete Immobilization

Controlled movement is important for soft tissue healing. Buddy taping:

• Encourages safe, guided motion
• Helps prevent joint stiffness
• Promotes circulation to injured tissues

This makes buddy taping a preferred option for athletes recovering from minor to moderate finger injuries.

Sports Where Athletes Commonly Buddy Tape Fingers

Buddy taping is widely used across many sports, including:

• Basketball – jammed fingers, ligament sprains
• Football (tackle & flag) – catching injuries, collisions
• Volleyball – blocking and spiking injuries
• Wrestling – finger twists and joint trauma
• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Judo – grip-related finger injuries
• Water Polo – repeated impact and grabbing

Any sport involving hand contact or gripping can benefit from buddy taping.

How to Buddy Tape a Finger Correctly

To properly buddy tape a finger:

1. Place padding or gauze between fingers to prevent skin irritation
2. Tape above and below the injured joint (not directly over it)
3. Avoid wrapping too tightly to maintain circulation
4. Remove tape after activity to allow skin recovery

Improper taping can cause numbness or discomfort, so technique matters.

When Buddy Taping Is Not Enough

While buddy taping is effective for many finger injuries, it is not appropriate for all cases.

Buddy taping should not be used alone for:

• Unstable finger fractures / brakes
• Severe dislocations
• Tendon ruptures
• Visible deformity or loss of motion

In these cases, medical evaluation and more advanced finger bracing may be required.

-With the advent of Grappz finger protection gloves, this combines the functionality of buddy taping with the healing benefits of compression technology and the convenience of a reusable glove to save time. 

-It slips on with ease but WON’T slip off during training unlike finger tape. Check out GETGRAPPZ.COM to learn more. 

Final Thoughts: Why Athletes Use Buddy Taping for Finger Injuries

Athletes buddy tape their fingers because it is one of the most effective ways to protect an injured finger while staying active. It provides stability, reduces pain, prevents re-injury, and maintains performance — all without complex equipment.

For many sports-related finger injuries, buddy taping remains a trusted, practical solution that helps athletes recover while continuing to compete.