As a Volleyball coach, one thing about the game is keeping your players fit and away from injuries as possible. This means eliminating all possible chances that might expose your players to any form of injuries. According to the Athletic Trainers Association, 25% of all injuries sustained by volleyball trainers and players are ankle-related. It is clear from these findings that ankle protection is vital in volleyball. The game involves sharp movements, a series of the foot works, and without any braces for protection, these actions and movement can pose huge stress on the player’s ankles. It is then evidently crucial for all volleyball players to wear volleyball ankle braces.
Should Volleyball players wear ankle braces?
For Protection
Front-row players are more prone to ankle injuries because of their footwork or sharp lateral movements in the court, net contact, and frequent jumping. Rigid and soft braces will provide maximum protection to all kind of fall or twist to your players. This is because the ankle braces are designed to offer a multi-point strapping and offset bilateral hinge system with a stronger and tighter fit.
Back-row trainers also need braces guards. However, their defensive nature requires a high and sharper mobility option that may not fit rigid braces. Strong and tighter braces with an open interior pad and rigid exterior guards will provide good inversion protection without interfering with these important players’ mobility. Alternatives for any volleyball players include lace-up ankle braces, which offer the protection and feel of a player ankle sleeves and tape job; this offers low profile ankle guards and acts as a compression sleeve.
Recovery
The extra stability and reduced motion in the player’s ankle after the impact help the twisted ankle hold in place, thus providing additional support to the broken or twisted ankle. These braces are designed in a way that they work in reducing plantar inversions and flexion, giving a player a compact motion that prevents further twisting in your ankles. The whole support helps your players to recover faster since the ankle damages are not that huge. If you are a coach or a trainer and recently suffered from an ankle twist, it will be wise if you equip yourself with ankle braces as you recover for the next game. Therefore, we can proudly say that ankle braces can prevent extra damages after the impact and help to hold in place your ankles for faster recovery.
How to Buy the Best Ankle Braces for Volleyball Players
Flexibility and the Material of the Brace
When going out to buy for ankle braces for your team, it is wise to consider players’ role and the contribution of the props you buy to their mobility and role in the court. The flexibility of the brace should decide the type and size of the brace to buy. Back ow players require high and soft braces to ease their movement, but you will need rigid options for the first row players due to their court role. It is wise as a team to understand all the guards’ roles and contributions before making a step towards buying.
