1. Introduction: Protecting Volleyball Athletes from Ankle Injuries
Ankle injuries are the most common orthopedic issue in volleyball, with lateral ankle sprains leading the list. The sport’s intense jumping, rapid lateral movement, and frequent contact at the net put athletes at high risk — especially during landing sequences where mechanics can falter.
To mitigate this risk, athletic trainers and sports medicine professionals consistently recommend the use of supportive, performance-focused ankle braces. Bracing not only helps reduce the likelihood of first-time injuries but also plays a critical role in recovery and re-injury prevention.
Ultra Ankle has developed two volleyball-specific ankle braces — the Ultra Zoom and the Ultra 360 Lace-Up — engineered to provide a combination of stability, flexibility, and long-term comfort. This guide explores how these braces support both injury prevention and recovery, and why athletes, coaches, and athletic trainers across the country continue to trust Ultra Ankle.
2. Why Volleyball Players Are So Prone to Ankle Injuries
Volleyball demands explosive jumping, sharp lateral cuts, and frequent directional changes — all of which put immense stress on the ankle joint. The most common injury in the sport is the lateral ankle sprain, typically caused when an athlete lands awkwardly or on another player’s foot at the net. These incidents often occur during blocking, attacking, or defending close to the net, where player proximity increases the risk of contact and unstable landings.
Ankle sprains in volleyball can range from mild ligament stretching to more severe tears and chronic instability. Without proper management, even a single ankle sprain can lead to long-term issues, including decreased performance, pain, and a higher likelihood of re-injury.
Research and athletic training experience both show that volleyball players are three times more likely to sustain an ankle injury compared to athletes in other sports. This high rate of occurrence makes proactive prevention — including ankle bracing — a standard best practice among athletic trainers, coaches, and competitive programs at all levels.
The right brace can help stabilize the ankle during risky movements, provide proprioceptive feedback to improve body awareness, and allow for safe, confident play whether an athlete is healthy or recovering from a previous injury.
3. Preventing Injuries and Supporting Recovery with the Right Brace
Ankle injury prevention in volleyball requires a combination of strength training, neuromuscular conditioning, proper landing mechanics — and the right external support. Ankle braces are widely used in both preventive and rehabilitative settings to reduce injury risk and provide stability during play.
Bracing works by limiting excessive joint motion while still allowing for athletic movement. For volleyball players, that means being able to jump, cut, and land confidently without compromising joint integrity. Additionally, braces support the joint during recovery from a sprain, helping to manage swelling, reduce reinjury risk, and provide a protected range of motion during the healing process.
For athletes returning to the court after an ankle sprain, bracing becomes even more critical. Studies have shown that the use of ankle braces can reduce the risk of recurrent sprains by over 60%, especially in the first 6–12 months post-injury. Athletic trainers often recommend wearing a brace during both practices and games throughout the recovery period and beyond.
Ultra Ankle’s volleyball-specific products — the Ultra Zoom and Ultra 360 Lace-Up — are designed with these needs in mind. Each offers a unique level of protection and flexibility depending on the athlete’s position, injury history, and performance demands.
Ultra Zoom – Support, Stability & Recovery in One
The Ultra Zoom ankle brace is engineered specifically for volleyball athletes who need protected movement during play — whether recovering from a previous injury or working to prevent one. Its standout feature is the hinged-cuff design, which allows the ankle to move naturally in the up-and-down (sagittal) plane while restricting excessive side-to-side motion that commonly leads to sprains.
Unlike traditional lace-up braces or compression sleeves, the Ultra Zoom doesn’t rely on constriction to provide support. Instead, the hinged-cuff system allows for full athletic performance without restricting mobility, making it ideal for volleyball players who rely on fast footwork, explosive jumping, and sharp lateral movement.
This design also means the brace doesn’t loosen during activity — it maintains a consistent fit from warm-up through the final point. Over time, the Ultra Zoom custom-forms to the athlete’s ankle, offering a secure and comfortable fit that lasts multiple seasons without the breakdown seen in many soft materials.
The Ultra Zoom is especially valuable for athletes returning to play after an ankle injury. It provides the stability needed to heal properly while enabling confident, game-ready movement — making it a preferred choice among certified athletic trainers.
Testimonial: “Must have! These braces are a must for a volleyball player. I can’t tell how many times they have saved a sprained ankle or broken foot. Have had for a few years thru school and club and just now having to replace the straps. Appreciate having that option vs having to buy new braces.” – April D.
5. Ultra 360 Lace-Up – Lightweight, Reusable Support
The Ultra 360 Lace-Up ankle brace offers versatile, everyday protection that mimics the feel of a professional tape job — without the time commitment or single-use waste. Designed for athletes who need reliable support during practices, games, or training sessions, the Ultra 360 provides moderate stabilization through a figure-8 strapping system and compression-fit design.
This brace is especially useful for athletes with mild instability, those beginning a new season after a long break, or younger players learning to take preventive care of their joints. The Ultra 360 is low-profile, fits easily inside volleyball shoes, and is fully reusable, making it a practical, cost-effective solution for ongoing support.
While lace-up braces like the Ultra 360 offer solid compression and control, it’s important to note that they can limit ankle mobility — particularly during dynamic volleyball movements like jumping, blocking, or lateral cuts. That’s why they’re best suited for light-to-moderate support needs or as part of a rotation plan with more advanced bracing options.
Athletic trainers often recommend the Ultra 360 as a step-down brace after recovery or for situations where mobility restriction is acceptable in favor of extra support.
Testimonial: “The braces work great. Even better, the customer support is incredible. We were having shipping difficulties and needed the braces for club practices. Spoke with Rick, and he went above and beyond what I would have ever expected for a company this size. Couldn’t ask for a better company, and we will definitely be using Ultra for the rest of my daughter’s high school volleyball career.”
6. Choosing the Right Brace for Your Athlete
Selecting the right ankle brace depends on the athlete’s injury history, level of play, and performance needs. Both the Ultra Zoom and Ultra 360 Lace-Up are trusted by athletic trainers, but they serve different purposes based on how much support and mobility an athlete requires.
Ultra Zoom:
Best for athletes returning from ankle injuries or with a history of sprains
Features a hinged-cuff design that restricts harmful motion while allowing for natural movement
Ideal for players who need maximum protection without compromising agility or vertical performance
Maintains its fit and shape season after season
Multi-Season Durability
Ultra 360 Lace-Up:
Best for mild support or as a preventative brace for athletes without a history of injury
Mimics the feel of a professional tape job with figure-8 compression
Suitable for light to moderate play, practices, or early-season training
May limit mobility more than the Ultra Zoom
Consistent use of an ankle brace — especially after an injury — is a proven strategy to reduce re-injury and enhance an athlete’s confidence on the court.
Ultra Ankle products are the result of decades of experience in sports medicine and athletic training. Founded by a certified athletic trainer, Ultra Ankle designs braces with the needs of athletes, coaches, and medical professionals in mind — focusing on performance, recovery, and long-term joint health.
What sets Ultra Ankle apart is not just innovative brace design, like the hinged-cuff technology in the Ultra Zoom, but also a commitment to fit, function, and personalized support. These aren’t one-size-fits-all solutions — they’re braces developed to adapt to the real movement and demands of high-level volleyball play.
But it’s not just the products that make a difference. Ultra Ankle’s customer support is consistently praised for going above and beyond — whether it’s helping with fit issues, ensuring fast delivery, or answering questions directly from coaches and parents.
Testimonial: “The customer support is incredible… Spoke with Rick, and he went above and beyond what I would have ever expected for a company this size.” – Linda H.
“The athletic trainer was super easy to work with and gave a great recommendation. It took a couple of tries to get it fit properly but now it’s perfect. It’s so comfortable and I honestly forget I’m wearing it at times.” – Kai B.
This level of service, combined with braces that are built to perform and last, is why Ultra Ankle continues to be a go-to resource for volleyball programs, athletic trainers, and families across the country.
8. Shop Trusted Volleyball Ankle Braces from Ultra Ankle
Whether you’re a volleyball player returning from an ankle sprain or a coach looking to reduce the risk of injury across your roster, Ultra Ankle offers professional-grade solutions trusted by athletic trainers nationwide.
For maximum protection and recovery support, choose the Ultra Zoom with its hinged-cuff design and custom-fit comfort.
For lightweight, reusable support, the Ultra 360 Lace-Up delivers a tape-like feel with added convenience and durability.
Don’t wait for injury to sideline your season — invest in the protection and support designed specifically for volleyball athletes.
👉Shop Now 👉Contact Us for help choosing the right brace for your athlete.
You’ll play better and play more, losing less time to ankle injuries.
“I love Ultra Zoom because it gives me the confidence to make “crazy” blocking moves on the court with the reassurance that one misplaced step won’t result in a week off my feet. Wearing Ultra Zoom is a simple precaution that doesn’t impede my game or weaken my body – its just a no brainer to take the extra step to help prevent ankle sprains.”
“Our daughter wore Active Ankles for about 5 years. We probably bought 10 braces and had at least 5 replaced by the company because they broke. We just couldn’t trust that they would hold up during a tournament. Kenzie’s coach is the one that suggested we try Ultra Ankles. She wore the same pair her entire Senior year. Ultra Ankles has earned our trust – we have been recommending them to all of her teammates and their parents (especially when they complain because they are replacing broken Active Ankles – lol). I don’t know what Kenzie’s college team is wearing – but she will be wearing Ultra Ankles. We don’t trust her ankles with anything else! Thank you for understanding volleyball players and their need for reliable ankle support!”
Rhonda A.
“Your Ultra Zoom product is perfect for the intense dynamics of Women’s Volleyball. My daughter loves your product because of the low profile compared to other ankle support products, and the comfort and stability they provide. Thank you, we always recommend your product.”
Tyson R.
“They’ve been wonderful. We have recommended them to teammates, family, and friends. Our girls say they are comfortable, flexible, and give the right amount of support. Thank you for developing such a wonderful product, all three of our girls have remained ankle injury-free throughout their volleyball careers!”
JoAnne O.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Volleyball Ankle Braces
Does Wearing an Ankle Brace Cause a Knee Injury?
No clinical studies support the idea that wearing an ankle brace will cause a knee injury.
Experts say in order to transfer enough torque from the ankle to the knee you would need to wear something like a ski boot, which offers virtually zero ankle mobility.
Aren’t You Only Supposed to Wear an Ankle Brace After an Injury?
Yes and no. Athletes that play sports with a high incidence of ankle injuries—like volleyball—should wear preventative ankle bracing since there are many situations during a game where ankle injuries cannot be prevented regardless of ankle strength or athletic ability.
With these sports it’s not “if” the injury will occur but “when” it will occur (think coming down on another player’s foot after jumping for a block). However, in other sports with less ankle injuries, it’s not absolutely necessary to wear preventative ankle bracing.
Why Doesn’t My Coach Allow Players to Wear Plastic Ankle Braces??
In most circumstances when coaches restrict their players from wearing plastic ankle braces they are referring to the outdated hard plastic ankle braces that are prone to breaking or cracking. These are typically too rigid for younger players or those that are only using braces preventatively.
Newer ankle brace materials developed specifically for high performance sports are not the rigid plastic braces of the past.
Back “Which volleyball ankle brace should I choose?” That’s the question I hear all of the time as an athletic trainer with over 30 years of experience specializing in ankle injuries and ankle injury prevention. For as common as ankle injuries are in today’s sports (over 25,000 ankle injuries occur each day in the U.S.), it […]
Do you still have questions about volleyball ankle braces or what you need to wear after twisting your ankle? Our certified athletic trainers are available to answer specific questions about your ankle injury and history and make a personalized recommendation on which ankle brace or treatment route might be best for you.
