How I Tape My Fingers for Jiu-Jitsu

In Brazilian jiu-jitsu, our hands do a great deal of work. As a vascular surgeon and someone who enjoys time on the mats, I also need to look after the hands I use in the operating theatre.

This video shows the finger-taping pattern I use. I had wanted to share it for some time, and finding an angle that clearly showed the tape was part of the challenge. The demonstration is a practical look at my approach, rather than a treatment plan for an injured finger.

What does my taping pattern look like?

The pattern combines loops around the finger with diagonal strips across the joints. In the video, I take the tape around, cross the joint diagonally, then repeat the sequence. The crossing strips create a bracing pattern across two finger joints.

I also show the other side of the finger so the arrangement is easier to understand. Watching the video is more useful than trying to recreate the position from a written description alone.

The aim of sharing it is to show what I personally use for grappling. It is not a claim that this is the best method for every hand, every sport or every injury.

Can taping prevent a finger injury?

Tape may feel supportive, but it cannot make a finger injury-proof. The fact that a method feels useful to me is not proof that it prevents injury for everyone else. Good decisions about grips, training intensity and when to stop still matter.

There is also an important difference between taping an uninjured finger for training and treating a painful or damaged joint. An injury may need a different approach, and covering it with tape does not establish what is wrong.

If a finger is persistently painful or swollen, difficult to move, or visibly deformed after an injury, get it assessed. Do not use a tight wrap to force yourself through a session.

What should I check when using finger tape?

Comfort and circulation matter. Tape should not cause numbness, tingling, increasing pain or a change in colour. Remove it if those symptoms develop. A finger that remains numb, blue or unusually cold after removing the tape needs urgent assessment.

Being able to tolerate a wrap is not the same as being ready to train. If you are recovering from an injury, follow the advice specific to that injury rather than assuming a demonstration for grappling applies to your situation.

Why share a training video on a vascular surgery blog?

Jiu-jitsu is one of the activities I enjoy outside medicine. Sharing that part of my life offers a little context about the person behind the clinic, as well as a practical look at something fellow grapplers often discuss.

For me, the broader aim is to keep enjoying training over time. That means thinking about the hands doing the work, not only the next round. Train thoughtfully, look after yourself and enjoy your time on the mats.

You can learn more about me and my vascular surgery practice. My current clinic, Andrew Choong Vascular Surgery, is at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, #09-22, 38 Irrawaddy Road, Singapore 329563.