Why do judokas and BJJ players tape their fingers?

To support joints already worn by constant gripping, to limit sprains and to protect the skin. Tape does not heal anything, it only supports.

What tape is best for finger taping in grappling?

Rigid, non-stretch athletic tape in a narrow width is the most common choice. Wider rolls can be torn or cut into thin strips to go around the finger segments.

Is finger tape allowed in judo and BJJ competitions?

It is commonly accepted, but the exact conditions depend on the rules of the event, and the referee or event doctor can inspect it. Check with the organizer before competition day.

Should I see a doctor for a swollen finger after training?

Yes if the finger looks deformed, cannot fully bend or straighten, or stays swollen for several days. Some finger injuries heal badly if you wait.

Finger taping for judo and BJJ: protect your fingers

Finger taping in judo and BJJ supports joints battered by gripping, limits sprains and protects the skin. Almost every adult judoka and gi grappler ends up using tape. Done well, it lets you keep gripping without making a small sprain worse. Done badly, or used to hide a real injury, it delays care you need. If a finger looks deformed or no longer moves normally, see a doctor before you think about tape.

Why gripping destroys fingers

In judo, everything goes through the hands. Your fingers hold a lapel, a sleeve or a collar, usually against someone trying to tear the grip off. Grip fighting (kumikata) is a battle of fingers as much as arms.

Three situations do most of the damage:

the violent grip break, when your opponent rips his sleeve away while your fingers are closed on it;
the finger caught in the fabric, stuck in a lapel or a sleeve at the moment of a throw;
the direct impact, a straight finger jammed into your partner or the mat.

Over the years the finger joints thicken. Many veteran judokas have crooked, stiff fingers. It is not inevitable, but it is common among those who never protected their hands.

BJJ is even harder on fingers

Gi players hold sleeves and pant cuffs for minutes at a time from guard. Pistol grips and fingers slipped inside the sleeve put the joints at risk when the opponent spins his arm. The tighter cut and narrower sleeves of a BJJ gi do not help. No-gi spares the fingers but moves the stress elsewhere, as our comparison of gi vs no-gi shows.

How to tape your fingers for grappling

What follows describes a common practice on the mats, not a treatment. If your finger hurts at rest, is swollen or looks deformed, see a doctor first.

What you need

Rigid, non-stretch athletic tape in a narrow width. Wider tape can be torn or cut lengthwise into two or three strips. Scissors for clean edges, and clean, dry skin.

Taping a single joint

Bend the finger slightly, in the position it works in when gripping.
Wrap a ring of tape around the segment above the joint, without squeezing.
Wrap a second ring around the segment below.
Leave the joint itself free or barely covered, so it can still bend.
Check the fingertip: it should stay pink and warm.

A fingertip that turns white, tingles or goes bluish means the tape is too tight. Take it off and start again.

Buddy taping

To support a small sideways sprain, many grapplers tape the sore finger to its neighbor with two rings, leaving the joints free. A small piece of gauze between the two fingers keeps the skin from getting soggy. This limits sideways movement without locking the finger.

Common mistakes

Wrapping tight "so it holds": you cut off circulation, and the tape holds no better.
Covering the whole joint: the finger no longer bends and gripping becomes impossible.
Leaving the same tape on all day after training: the skin suffers.
Taping a deformed finger so you can compete: the best way to make an injury worse when it needed proper care.

Finger tape in competition

Finger tape is common in both judo and BJJ competition. The exact conditions depend on the rules of each event, and the referee or event doctor can check the taping. Do not show up with questionable tape and hope it passes. Ask the organizer beforehand. For BJJ, the equipment points of the rulebook are covered in our article on IBJJF rules.

Tape up calmly before your first match, and keep a roll in your competition bag to redo a strip between matches.

Protecting your fingers without tape

Tape cannot make up for poor gripping. A few habits matter more:

Let go instead of fighting it: when your opponent rips his sleeve free, open your hand. A lost grip can be retaken. A broken finger cannot.
Grip with the last fingers. Ring finger and pinky stay tight, thumb and index more relaxed. That is the basis of a strong grip and it spreads the load.
Avoid slipping your fingers inside the sleeve in training, especially in BJJ, unless you control the situation.
Build grip and forearm strength, as in our judo weight training exercises.

When a finger needs a doctor

Some finger injuries heal well if treated early and badly if you wait. A fingertip that droops and will not straighten, a deformed joint, a finger that no longer bends fully, or swelling that does not go down after a few days: get it checked. A doctor may suggest a splint or an X-ray. For the other common injuries, see our overview of judo injuries.

The habit worth building

Start protecting your fingers before they hurt, not after. An adult training three times a week can tape his most used fingers ahead of long randori or rolling sessions. And learn to open your hand at the right moment. In many veterans, crooked fingers come from grips they refused to let go of.