Why Every Football Recruit Should Tape Their Ankles During Camp Season

Every summer, thousands of high school football players travel across the country to attend college football camps, showcases, combines, and recruiting events.

Families invest significant time and money in these opportunities because they understand how important exposure can be during the recruiting process.

But there is one simple mistake many athletes make that can instantly derail months or even years of hard work.

They show up to camp without protecting their ankles.

As someone who has competed at both Virginia Tech and Texas A&M, I can tell you that ankle injuries are one of the most common injuries in football. They can happen on any play, during any drill, and often when athletes least expect it.

The good news is that many of these injuries can be prevented.

The Difference Between High School Football and Camp Season

During the high school football season, athletes typically have access to resources that help reduce injury risk.

Most programs provide:

• Athletic trainers

• Injury evaluations

• Treatment protocols

• Pre-practice preparation

• Game-day support

Many athletes have their ankles taped before games and practices throughout the season.

Camp season is different.

When athletes attend recruiting camps, they are often responsible for their own preparation.

Most camps do not provide athletic trainers who tape ankles before drills begin.

If an athlete arrives unprepared, they are often stepping onto the field with no additional support or protection.

One Injury Can Change Everything

Parents often focus on performance at camps.

Coaches are watching.

Scholarship opportunities are being evaluated.

Recruiting relationships are being built.

But none of that matters if an athlete suffers an avoidable injury during the first hour of the event.

A rolled ankle can:

• End a camp early

• Eliminate opportunities to perform in front of coaches

• Impact future camps

• Limit offseason training

• Delay recruiting momentum

I've seen athletes spend months preparing for a camp only to be sidelined by an injury that could have been prevented.

Why Ankle Protection Matters

Football is a sport built on sudden movement.

Athletes are constantly:

• Cutting

• Accelerating

• Decelerating

• Changing direction

• Landing in traffic

These movements place significant stress on the ankle joint.

This becomes even more important during camp season because athletes are often:

• Competing on unfamiliar surfaces

• Wearing new cleats

• Performing at maximum effort

• Participating in multiple drills without extended recovery

All of these factors increase injury risk.

Taping vs. Ankle Braces

Parents often ask which option is better.

The truth is that both can be effective.

Ankle Taping

Benefits include:

• Customized support

• Lightweight feel

• Commonly used by athletic trainers

• Excellent stability

The downside is that athletes need someone who knows how to tape properly.

Ankle Braces

Benefits include:

• Easy to apply

• Reusable

• Consistent support

• Convenient for travel

Many college and professional athletes use ankle braces throughout their careers.

For families traveling to camps, ankle braces are often the simplest solution.

Don't Wait Until After an Injury

One of the biggest mistakes athletes make is waiting until they roll an ankle before they start protecting it.

By then, the damage is already done.

Smart athletes approach camp season the same way they approach strength training, nutrition, and recovery.

They prepare before the injury occurs.

The goal isn't simply to perform well.

The goal is to stay healthy long enough to capitalize on every opportunity.

The Recruiting Perspective

Most families view camps as recruiting events.

College coaches view them as evaluations.

A coach cannot evaluate an athlete who is standing on the sideline with an injury.

Every rep matters.

Every drill matters.

Every opportunity to compete matters.

Protecting your ankles is one of the simplest ways to ensure that months of preparation are not lost because of one preventable injury.

The Bottom Line

Camp season creates incredible opportunities for student-athletes.

But exposure only matters if athletes are healthy enough to perform.

Whether your athlete chooses ankle taping or ankle braces, protecting the ankles should be part of every camp preparation plan.

At Full Ride University, we encourage families to approach recruiting strategically.

That includes film.

That includes communication.

That includes camp selection.

And it also includes protecting the athlete's ability to stay on the field.

Because the best ability during recruiting season is availability.

Stay healthy. Stay prepared. Stay visible.

Ready to Build a Recruiting Strategy?

The recruiting process is about much more than camps. Families need a plan for exposure, communication, eligibility, recruiting platforms, highlight tapes, and coach outreach.

At Full Ride University, we help families navigate every step of the recruiting journey so athletes can maximize their opportunities to compete at the next level.

Book your FREE recruiting consultation today and learn how to create a personalized recruiting strategy for your athlete.

Your athlete's future deserves more than guesswork.