Sports Strapping
& Taping Course (Students)

This 13.5-hour CPD course offers a flexible hybrid approach to learning sports strapping and taping techniques, combining 10 hours of self-paced online content with a 3.5-hour in-person practical workshop.

Designed for students of physiotherapy, sports therapy, and related healthcare disciplines, the course begins with a comprehensive online introduction to key tools and materials – covering tape types, cutting tools, adhesives, and application aids – alongside the evidence base for strapping in injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance support.

Through detailed video tutorials and guided practice, you’ll learn safe, sport-specific techniques for the ankle, knee, shoulder, and thumb. You’ll also explore when (and when not) to use strapping, sharpening your clinical reasoning to adapt and apply techniques based on individual needs, functional goals, and the demands of different sports.

The in-person workshop gives you the opportunity to apply everything you’ve learned under the guidance of experienced tutor Carl Nelson, Head Academy Physiotherapist at Newcastle United. You’ll receive expert feedback, build confidence, and leave with practical skills you can use immediately in clinical and sporting environments.

Our sports strapping and taping course is expertly designed to ensure you feel safe, confident, and effective in applying strapping and taping techniques. By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Safely and effectively apply strapping and taping techniques to key joints including the ankle, shoulder, knee, and fingers.
• Adapt core strapping principles to confidently support any joint in the body, based on individual presentation and need.
• Strengthen your clinical reasoning skills to make informed, tailored decisions for injury prevention and recovery.
• Enhance your professional practice by supporting performance, recovery, and rehabilitation across a wide range of sporting and clinical settings.
• Demonstrate competence and confidence in using strapping and taping techniques to deliver meaningful outcomes for clients and athletes.

Whether you’re working pitch-side, in the clinic, or in the gym, this course gives you the tools to make a real difference in injury management and performance support.

This 13.5-hour hybrid CPD course combines the flexibility of 10 hours of online learning with the value of a 3.5-hour face-to-face practical workshop – designed to give you both confidence and competence in sports strapping and taping.

• Online learning (10 hours): You’ll work through the core content at your own pace. The online modules cover evidence-based theory, joint-specific techniques, and video demonstrations for ankles, knees, shoulders, and thumbs. You’ll be encouraged to practise regularly on yourself or a partner as you go. With 6 months’ access, you can revisit and reinforce your learning anytime.
• Practical workshop (3.5 hours): Once you’ve completed the online element, you’ll attend a hands-on workshop designed to consolidate and refine your skills. Led by Newcastle United’s Head Academy Physiotherapist, Carl Nelson, the session offers personalised guidance, technique correction, and peer feedback – helping you turn theory into confident, effective practice.

This highly practical course explores the application of sports strapping and taping across a range of clinical and sporting presentations — with a strong focus on injury prevention, joint support, and performance optimisation. Techniques covered include taping for common injuries affecting the ankle, knee, shoulder, and fingers, with principles that can be adapted to any joint in the body.

You’ll develop a clear understanding of when and how to apply taping techniques safely and effectively, supporting both acute injury management and longer-term rehabilitation goals.

Foundations of Strapping & Taping Practice

Begin with the core principles that underpin confident, effective application:

• The role of taping in sport and clinical rehabilitation
• Benefits and limitations of rigid vs elastic tapes
• Key safety considerations, including contraindications and taping precautions
• Preparation, positioning, and application best practices

Core Techniques & Joint-Specific Application

Through hands-on instruction, refine your skills across high-demand joints:

• Ankle taping methods for stability, sprain support, and return-to-play protocols
• Knee strapping for ligament protection, patellar tracking, and functional movement
• Shoulder taping to address instability, postural control, and overuse injuries
• Finger and thumb techniques for joint protection and load distribution

Adapting to the Individual

Build on your clinical reasoning to tailor techniques with confidence:

• Modifying taping strategies based on joint mechanics and movement demands
• Considering individual presentation, sport-specific needs, and injury history
• Understanding how to adapt key principles for any joint in the body

Real-World Practice & Performance Support

Apply your skills in a supportive, feedback-rich environment:

• Interactive workshop with peer-to-peer practice and tutor guidance
• Practical case studies and movement analysis to inform taping decisions
• Strategies for integrating taping confidently into your existing clinical or sporting practice

This course is designed to leave you feeling prepared, capable, and confident in your strapping and taping skills — ready to support athletes and clients across a wide range of settings.

This course is ideal for students currently enrolled in a therapy or sport-related programme, such as physiotherapy, sports therapy, or a related field.

In most cases, participants will also need to be a student at the academic institution where the course is being hosted. However, in some cases, external participants are allowed, so please get in touch to confirm your eligibility for a specific course.