Spatting for football

I have had some requests lately for some "how-to" content, so I put together a little lesson on the ever popular "spat" here. If you are not familiar with spatting, we aren't really sure who started it, but it has been around since at least the 50's. Simply put, it is ankle taping that is performed over the shoe, and it may be used in combination with regular ankle taping and/or ankle braces. I don't like doing any type of heel lock or anything...just figure 8's and closure strips. That helps keep it clean and wrinkle free, which is critical, because a majority of players who have it done do it primarily for the look, not the function. The most famous athlete I have ever spatted was Jerry Rice. I have also spatted Lance Briggs, Bobby Wade and Jordan Palmer (among others). While at UTEP, we were an adidas school, but Jordan always got free Nike cleats from his older brother, Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer of the Cincinnati Bengals. Due to our adidas contract, players couldn't be seen wearing anything other than adidas shoes, so every game I would spat Jordan's Nikes all the way past the swoosh, then he'd take a marker and draw three stripes on the tape. If you've never spatted, you might give it a try. While it's ability to increase ankle stability is questionable, it will make your shoes fit tighter, which does give some measure of added support and comfort...not to mention style.