Why Do You Tape Your Fingers In Jiu-Jitsu?

Why do you tape your fingers in Jiu-Jitsu? Tapping your fingers for Jiu-Jitsu every once in a while is a good choice because it can protect your joints and give you a better grip—Especially in the gi class.

You might be asking, should I tape my fingers for BJJ? The short answer here is, yes —you definitely should. There are no downsides but many upsides.

If you’ve been to a Jiu-Jitsu class before or watched high-level competitions, you might notice among the veterans that they all have tape on their fingers. It might seem like a cool way to style yourself for grappling but is the tape really just for style?

In truth, wrapping your fingers in jiu-jitsu tape isn’t just about looking cool (that’s just a bonus.) As you train and become better, you’ll notice that there will be a lot of changes to your body —mainly your finger joints, which you use for gripping.

Here are some important details about the benefits of doing so. Let’s dive in.

Why Do BJJ Guys Tape Their Fingers?

BJJ guys tape their fingers for a variety of reasons. It’s more than just about making you more comfortable while grappling. It’s also about getting the most out of your abilities as well. 

With proper taping, you can last longer in training and competition. Let’s talk about one of the most important reasons for taping your fingers in BJJ: injury prevention.

BJJ Tape for Injury Prevention

Your fingers are one of the most used body parts in Jiu-Jitsu. As such, it’s one of the most prone to injuries.

When gripping on a gi, your fingers are prone to burns and cuts. This happens due to the rough texture of the uniform.

Without a tape, you can develop calluses on your arms as well. This is a pressing matter that can lead to more injuries —and even infections in the future.

Getting Injured Fingers 

Injuries, especially on your fingers, are a great hindrance to your training. It can set you back for days and even weeks. You don’t need to worry about getting your fingers injured with the proper finger tape.

What is another good reason to start using finger tape for your Jiu-Jitsu training?

Finger Tape For BJJ Grip Strength

Having a solid grip is evidently a great asset in Jiu-Jitsu. It allows you to control the flow of the fight, and it lets you dominate the game easily. 

As rounds in Jiu-Jitsu last longer, your hands get sweatier, and once that happens, your grip becomes significantly affected.

By using finger tape, you can reduce the effects of sweaty hands. Don’t worry about getting penalized in competitions, as finger tapes are totally legal. Some people sweat in their hands more than others, so finger tapping is beneficial for them.

Did you know that finger tape also protects other parts of your arms?

learn how to get better at grip fighting

Jiu-Jitsu Tape For Wrist Support

With the proper wrapping technique, you can offer better support for your wrist. It’s a commonly injured part of the body in Jiu-Jitsu.

Wrapping tape around your wrist provides stability and a better foundation for the bones and the joints in the area. 

This makes it less likely for you to strain yourself. When it comes to why you tape your fingers, BJJ experts will mostly tell you that it’s to prevent injuries that can stop you from training or competing for a considerable amount of time.

Now that you know the benefits of taping your fingers and your wrist, you might try it in your next BJJ class. Taping isn’t as simple as wrapping the adhesive around your joints. There are techniques to follow for that.

The BJJ Tape Debate

It’s important to discuss the tape debate before we answer why to tape your fingers for BJJ. While it’s a widespread practice among jiu-jitsu practitioners, some don’t agree with taping their fingers.

Taping is not required, but it does come with merits. These include injury prevention, grip, and wrist support. Additionally, experts believe that it can help you strengthen your grip. We’ll discuss all of these points in a short while.

Now, there is no apparent reason why you should avoid taping. It’s a time-consuming process, so it’s inconvenient for some. Others are not comfortable with having constricting pressure around their fingers as well.

Whether you want to or don’t want to tape your fingers, bear in mind that it’s all about preference. Now, if you want to learn more about why others practice it, here are some reasons why the best of the best tape their fingers.

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How To Tape Your Finger For BJJ Like A Pro

Learning how to tape your finger for BJJ properly is an excellent way to extend the functionality of the tape. There are many techniques to follow, but these are the best we’ve found.

This first method is perfect if you have pain in your fingers. 

1. What you’d do is start by wrapping around the affected finger. 
2. Go up diagonally and then wrap the tape around the third joint of your finger. 
3. From there, go diagonally back down and wrap the tape one final time around the finger’s base.

This creates a solid foundation for your fingers, and it will allow you to have better control over the movements.

BJJ Finger Taping Method 2

The following method is made to give you a firmer grip. 

1. Cut tape that’s about the same length from your shoulder to shoulder. Wrap the tape around the base of your finger two times. 
2. Using the same tape, move upwards while making a cross. 
3. Wrap it two times, and then proceed to the top of your finger as well.

Avoid wrapping the tape around your joints, as this is intended for a firmer grip.

BJJ Finger Taping Method 3

This last method is intended for both grip and injury prevention. 

1. What you should do is follow method one. 
2. What’s different is that you’ll need to wrap your pointing and middle finger.
3. Then Wrap your index and pinky together.

Basically, you’ll be merging the fingers.

This taping method might make you feel awkward at first as there will be restricted movement on your fingers. Once you’re used to it, you’ll be surprised at how firmer your grip will be with this method.

Now that you have some finger taping techniques to work with, the only thing left to do is find yourself a good finger tape for BJJ.

Tips For Buying The Best Finger Tape For BJJ

If you want to buy finger tape for Jiu-Jitsu, you should first look at the brand of the tape. The better and more trusted the brand, the better your tape will be.

If you want to keep your fingers in good condition, you might want to invest in some good tape for Jiu-Jitsu.

Look for reviews about the tapes you are talking about. Make sure to have these questions explicitly answered:

• How long does the tape stick?
• How long is the tape?
• Does it offer a better grip?
• Does it provide good protection?

Next, let’s talk about the types of finger tapes you can buy for your BJJ training.

Types Of BJJ Finger Tape Explained

There are two types of BJJ finger tape that you can get right now.

• 1.5-inch tape – Explicitly made for larger joints. Practitioners usually use it with long fingers. It can be good for smaller joints, but you’ll have to cut it in half to fit the area better.
• .3-inch tape – It’s made for people that want to tape up sore fingers. It’s better for small joints and suitable for people with a more petite frame.

The type of BJJ tape that you get depends on two critical factors: 

• Where do you plan on using it?  
• How large are your joints?

To help you find the best finger tapes to invest in, let’s discuss some of the top brands that practitioners rely on.

Best Finger Tape For BJJ Training

1. Hampton Adams Premium Jiu-Jitsu and Climber Finger Tape

This is currently the best Jiu-Jitsu tape that your money can buy right now. This tape is made from cotton substrate —a soft and non-elastic material. 

It’s easy on your hands, but it’s more than strong enough to stick around even in those intense grappling exchanges.

The tape is loved for being able to keep its grip during training. Aside from that, it’s also the perfect width for wrapping around your fingers.

2. Gold BJJ Jiu-Jitsu Tape

One of the things you should look for in a Jiu-Jitsu tape is its resistance to sweat. The Gold BJJ Jiu-Jitsu tape is the go-to tape for many BJJ practitioners because it’s made with an improved adhesive. This tape is strong enough to keep still during training. 

Once you’re done, you’ll see that the tape doesn’t leave behind any sticky residue, so it’s straightforward to clean.

3. Meister StickElite 1/2″ Athletic Tape

How strong is the Meister StickElite? It’s designed not just for jiu-jitsu. It’s also suitable for rock climbing and volleyball. While slightly larger than the other options on this list, this finger tape does come with a zig-zag edge, so it’s easy to tear off.

As for adhesion, the tape comes with a porous surface. This helps prevent excessive sweating, so the tape doesn’t slip off easily.

There are cheaper finger tapes out there. However, investing in the top but slightly expensive brands is practical. These protect you better, give you a better grip, and most importantly, they’re tried and tested already.

Using low-quality finger tapes can eventually do you more harm than good. They have poor adhesion, and the material might be too rough for your fingers.

Will Judo Tape Work For BJJ Too?

If you have Judo tape at home, you might not have to buy a tape for Jiu-Jitsu. Just like Jiu-Jitsu tape, Judo tape is made for protection and better grip. They’re practically the same kind of tape made for the sport.

What Are Some Reasons To Not Tape Your Fingers In BJJ?

Finger tapes are okay in most cases. If you’re not comfortable with them, you should try not to use finger tape instead.

Another reason to avoid BJJ tape is if you have an open wound or a blister in your fingers. Keeping your injuries wrapped up might cause infections that are hard to treat. It’s best to let the scars and blisters heal before you first use finger tape.

Why Do You Tape Your Fingers In Jiu-Jitsu? -Conclusion

There’s nothing wrong with using Jiu-Jitsu tape. It’s a good solution for most problems that you have while grappling. 

Even in competition, finger tape is allowed, so don’t deprive yourself of the chance to use it.

With this guide, you know which tapes to buy and how to use them properly. Before you know it, you’ll be using finger tape like the pros.

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