Why do rugby players bind their wrists and upper thighs with bandage and tape?

Question

How can a thin strip of bandage prevent injury??

Second Rows nearly always wear bandage and tape on their thighs and flankers often around their wrists.

Answer 1

I used to put tape over my head to pin my ears back and wear a gum shield. I have never seen anyone wear bandage and tape on the wrists and upper thighs unless they needed pressure for a torn ligament (probably in the thigh).

I used to wear cycling shorts in order to apply pressure to the thigh area, as well as applying muscle heating creams. This prevents muscle strain and injury on cold days, with explosive bursts of energy.

I did once pull a ligament/muscle in my thigh and it was agonising for many weeks/months afterwards. It usually occurs in training, when you are not warmed up properly.

Answer 2

The writst bands are to support the wrist and improve prevention for the wrist to bend back or forth too much. As you know flankers pack at the side of the scrum and always has a hand on the ground to support their balance. They always also stick their hands in rucks and malls to try and obtain the ball.

Locks put these strips on their upper thighs to give the props or other support players in the line out a place to grip when they have to support them in the line out by lifting them above their heads. This is because the sweat makes the whole body bloody slippery.

If this is not the reason, then they are most probably sponsored by the tape manufacturers and have to wear it. I suppose on the wrist and upper thigh is better than over the head and ears.

Answer 3

The upper thighs: Only those who customarily get lifted in lineouts or when receiving kicks. If you look close, they have "lifts" in them. Small square things that help the supporters lift them in the air -- gives them something to push up against. There are actually professional "aerial supports" but players say they can't get them tight enough so the slip. Rules are they have to be less than 5mm thick -- but there's debate if they are becoming bigger.
Wrists. You'll see it's not just the wrist, but usually the thumb as well. Looks can be deceiving -- the tape gets pretty stiff and if they wrap the thumb, some use a plastic guard. Thumbs are easily pulled back and broken when someone fights for a ball. Same for wrists. Once the ligaments/tendons(?) get pulled and stretched, over time, the added support of that tape or plastic is a godsend. I've even heard of one rugby player complain of "repetitive wrist injury" - the same thing people get from typing. Here's the kicker: Pro rugby players don't like to show they wear "equipment" -- it's more "manly" to go on the field all taped up for battle, rather than with protection gear on. And, of course, easier to customize the fit. See below for links to equivalent types of protection gear that the tape is substituting for.

Answer 4

The wrists are usually taped to prevent the hand from being pushed too far back or forward although the tape tends to lose its stickyness after about 20 mins so really its all in the head. The thighs are taped for those who are usually lifted in the lineout, it is to give an area of extra grip for the lifter to push them up into the air by

Answer 5

i noticed the noobness of some of the answers you were getting and decided to help out:
tape on the upper thighs are great grips for props to lift second rowers, usually the front prop does this, while the one behind the 1st jumper, who is interchangeabale i.e he lifts front and back depending on the call by turning round from a position facing the opposing lineout uses thumbs up the bum to lift a jumper from the back. tape binding two fingures together is because one is broken so the one next to it is used as a splint. wrist tape is for support, only needed if you have weak wrists or a hurt wrist, even the backs wear it on occasion so its not just like a forwards thing. tape round the head keeps props ear tucked in to keep them from being cut up during scrum engagement. scrum caps are used by backrowers and second rowers, because their ear and heads are always being rubbed and squeezed by other members of the pack. the number eight has his head between the right bum cheek of the left second rower and the left bum cheek of the right second rower. the second rowers have their heads squashed together between the tight and loose prop's arses and the hooker's as well. some hookers and flankers wear them but it isnt as necessary. some players can be seen with tape around their untire arms, this is for support. gloves are worn for grip when ball running and sometimes masking tape is used as a substitue for these gloves because they provide a grippy surface.

Answer 6

The reason second rows have tape on their legs is to give the lineout lifters an aid to help him when jumping in the lineout.
Flankers/Wing Forwards have it on their wrists because they want support when tackling, handing off an opposing player.

Answer 7

it is most likely to be for prevention of injuries, but it could be to support muscles that got hurt at an earlier practice or game.

Answer 8

Its for extra support to help prevent injury.

Answer 9

To support ligaments that could over-extend.

Answer 10

It is to hold on any body parts that might get ripped of so they can bed sewn back on...