Stay in the Game
Buddy tape that handles the ball.
Guard-Tex buddy taping supports jammed joints while maintaining ball-handling dexterity. Zero adhesive residue on the basketball.
Protect — Basketball
Guard-Tex buddy-tapes jammed and sprained fingers for continued play — supporting the joint while maintaining the ball-handling dexterity basketball demands. Zero adhesive residue on the ball.
Jammed fingers are basketball's most common injury — catching bad passes, deflecting shots, rebounding contact, loose-ball scrambles. The finger hyperextends or compresses, the joint swells, and the choice is sit out or tape up and play. Most players tape up. But they need the taped finger to still catch, dribble, shoot, and pass — full ball-handling dexterity with a supported joint.
Athletic tape buddy-taping works but leaves adhesive residue on the basketball that changes handling for everyone. It also bonds to finger hair and skin, making removal painful on already-swollen joints.
Jammed my index finger in the first quarter. Buddy-taped with Guard-Tex, played the rest of the game, still had my dribble. Athletic tape residue on the ball would have messed up everyone's handles.— Point Guard, College D2
Guard-Tex buddy-tapes jammed fingers with zero adhesive on skin. The tape bonds to itself to splint the injured finger to an adjacent finger — supporting the joint while allowing the paired fingers to flex together for ball handling. Zero residue on the basketball. Painless removal on swollen joints.
Stay in the Game
Guard-Tex buddy taping supports jammed joints while maintaining ball-handling dexterity. Zero adhesive residue on the basketball.
Buddy taping jammed fingers. Pair the injured finger with an adjacent finger using Guard-Tex wraps above and below the joint. The paired fingers flex together — supporting the jammed joint during catches, dribbles, and shots.
Re-injury prevention. Previously jammed fingers are vulnerable to re-injury for weeks after the initial jam. Guard-Tex buddy taping during practice and games protects healing joints from the impact that causes re-jamming.
Shooting hand protection. Shooters need full finger independence for release mechanics. Guard-Tex on individual fingers — rather than buddy taping — protects jammed shooting fingers while maintaining the separation needed for follow-through.
Rebounding and defense. High-contact positions take the most finger impact. Guard-Tex on vulnerable fingers cushions the impact from rebounds, blocks, and loose-ball contact.
| Feature | Guard-Tex | Athletic Tape | Bare Hands | Finger Splints |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball residue | ✓ Zero — no adhesive | ✗ Residue changes ball feel | N/A | N/A |
| Joint support | ✓ Buddy tape holds during play | ✓ Buddy tape holds | ✗ No support | ✗ Can't handle ball |
| Ball handling | ✓ Full dexterity maintained | ✗ Adhesive sticks to ball | ✓ Maximum | ✗ Dramatically reduced |
| Removal on swollen fingers | ✓ Painless — no adhesive on skin | ✗ Painful on swollen joints | N/A | N/A |
| Sweat performance | ✓ Holds through full game | ✗ Loosens in sweat | N/A | Varies |
Place the jammed finger next to an uninjured adjacent finger. Wrap Guard-Tex above and below the swollen joint, binding the two fingers together. Leave the joint itself unwrapped for flexion.
Pro tip: Tape above and below the joint — not over it. The paired fingers need to bend together for ball handling.Catch, dribble, and shoot with the buddy-taped fingers. The paired fingers work as a unit. Adjust tape tightness if flexion is too restricted.
Pro tip: The tape should be snug enough to support but loose enough to flex. Finding the sweet spot takes one adjustment.Guard-Tex holds through a full game of sweat, ball contact, and physical play. The cohesive bond doesn't loosen in moisture.
Pro tip: Keep a roll on the bench. Mid-game re-taping takes 30 seconds if tape shifts during physical play.Peel off after the game. Zero adhesive on swollen, tender joints. No hair pulling, no skin tearing on fingers that are already painful.
Pro tip: Ice the joint after removing tape. Guard-Tex protected it during play — now let it recover.
Most Popular
Self-adhering, non-stretch cotton. Zero adhesive on skin or equipment. One roll lasts weeks of use.
Shop Now"Jammed my index finger in the first quarter. Buddy-taped with Guard-Tex, played the rest of the game, still had my dribble. Athletic tape residue on the ball would have messed up everyone's handles."— Point Guard, College D2
"I jam fingers 3-4 times a season. Guard-Tex buddy tape is my go-to because it comes off without ripping skin on swollen fingers. That matters when you're taping and removing multiple times a week."— Power Forward, High School Varsity
"Coaching youth basketball — kids jam fingers every practice. Guard-Tex buddy tape gets them back in the drill without the tears that come from removing athletic tape off a 12-year-old's swollen finger."— Youth Basketball Coach
"My shooting hand — can't have anything sticky changing my release. Guard-Tex buddy tape on my ring finger supports the jam without adhesive affecting my shot."— Shooting Guard, Club Ball
Pair the jammed finger with an adjacent finger using Guard-Tex wraps above and below the swollen joint. Leave the joint unwrapped for flexion. The paired fingers support each other during ball handling.
Guard-Tex contains zero adhesive. Nothing transfers to the ball, maintaining consistent handling feel for all players.
Yes. Guard-Tex buddy taping binds paired fingers that flex together — maintaining ball-handling dexterity while supporting the jammed joint.
Yes. Buddy taping healing fingers during practice and games protects vulnerable joints from the impact that causes re-injury.
Guard-Tex has zero adhesive on skin. It peels off swollen joints painlessly — unlike athletic tape that bonds to skin and hair.
Guard-Tex holds through a full game of sweat and physical play. The cohesive bond strengthens with moisture.
3/4" for finger wraps and targeted protection. 1-1/2" for palm, hand, and full-limb coverage. Both available in the shop.
Self-adhering tape. No adhesive on skin or gear. Made in Elk Grove Village, IL since 1935.
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