Gi grips are brutal on fingers. Taping is how grapplers keep sore joints training, and it takes about a minute once you know how.
Why tape your fingers?
Grip fighting in the gi puts a lot of strain on finger joints. Tape limits how far a joint can bend, which takes the pressure off a sore knuckle, and it protects the skin. Lots of people tape before anything hurts, to keep it that way.
This is general information, not medical advice. If a finger is swollen, bent out of shape or very painful, see a doctor.
Choose the right tape
- Width: BJJ tape is usually about 8 to 9 mm (0.3 inch), narrow enough to wrap one joint. The Tatami 9mm Finger Tape is that width; the Monkey Tape variety pack gives you four widths to try.
- Material: rigid cotton or rayon, usually with a zinc oxide adhesive. Avoid stretchy kinesiology tape on finger joints: it's designed to stretch, which is the opposite of what you want here.
- Stick: if your hands sweat, look for a high-tack tape like Scramble Yubi.
Before you tape
Tape sticks best to clean, dry skin. Wash your hands and dry them properly first.
Simple methods
The ring
Wrap the tape twice around the finger between two joints, not over them. A ring above and below a sore joint supports it while leaving it free to bend a little.
The X over the joint
Start with a ring below the sore joint, cross the tape diagonally over the back of the joint, and finish with a ring above it. This is the classic method for a sore middle knuckle.
Buddy taping
Tape a sore finger to the one beside it, with a ring on each side of the joint. The healthy finger acts as a splint.
Mistakes to avoid
- Too tight. If your fingertip goes pale, cold or tingly, take it off and start again.
- Taping over the crease of the joint with a single ring, which stops it bending at all and comes off fast.
- Wet skin. The tape will slide off mid-roll.
For more tape picks, see the best finger tape for BJJ.
FAQ
What tape is best for taping fingers for BJJ?
A rigid, narrow tape about 8 to 9 mm wide, usually cotton or rayon with a zinc oxide adhesive. Avoid stretchy kinesiology tape on finger joints.
How tight should finger tape be?
Firm but not tight. If your fingertip goes pale, cold or tingly, the tape is too tight and should come off.
Should I tape my fingers before they hurt?
Many grapplers do, to protect their joints from the strain of gi grips. It's a personal choice, and costs little.
