This guide helps players decide whether to wear an ankle brace and which type to choose. Research suggests yes, ankle braces help: in large studies of high-school athletes, players who wore lace-up braces had fewer ankle injuries, and the clearest benefit is for anyone who has sprained an ankle before. If you've had a sprain, ask a doctor, physical therapist (physiotherapist) or athletic trainer which brace suits you.
Health note: General information, not medical advice. Young athletes should train under a qualified coach, and anyone with pain or an injury should see a doctor or physical therapist.
Lace-up with straps (figure-6 or figure-8): like a tape job you can put on yourself. Common in volleyball.
Rigid or hinged shell: hard side guards that resist rolling while the ankle still bends up and down. Quick to strap on.
Hybrid: rigid side guards plus crossing straps.
To fit one:
Sizing differs by brand: some go by ankle circumference (measured just above the ankle bone), others by shoe size. Use the brand's own chart.
Try it on with your volleyball shoes and socks, because braces add bulk. If you can't decide between lace-up and rigid, try both with your volleyball shoes.
Most fit either foot; some (e.g. Zamst A2-DX) are left- or right-specific.
If you have a latex allergy, check the label: some lace-up braces contain latex.
Our picks
ASO EVO Ankle Stabilizer
Lace-up
Mid-range
Best for: everyday volleyball use; returning from a sprain.
What stands out
Lace-up body with tape-style stirrup and heel-lock straps
Video: Gregory Rubin, DO on YouTube. Learn Volley is not affiliated with this channel.
What the research shows
In a large study of US high-school basketball players, those randomly assigned to wear lace-up ankle braces had about a third as many acute ankle injuries as those who didn't. The benefit showed up both in players with and without a previous ankle injury. The braces didn't make the injuries that still happened less severe.
A similar study in high-school football found fewer ankle injuries with braces and no increase in knee injuries. That's a common worry, but this study doesn't support it.
A Cochrane review of the research found that ankle supports such as braces reduced ankle sprains. The reduction was greater for players who had sprained an ankle before, but still possible for those who hadn't.
In volleyball, a Dutch study found a balance-board program reduced ankle sprains, but mainly in players who had sprained an ankle before. A Norwegian program that taught safer take-off and landing for blocking and attacking was followed by fewer sprains.
Braces and training work together: a brace supports the joint, and balance and landing practice train it. The main brace studies were in high-school athletes, so the findings apply most directly to teenagers.
Lower your risk with or without a brace
Sprains are the most common acute injury in volleyball, usually from landing on someone's foot under the net, and balance and landing training lower the risk too.
Land on your own side of the center line, on both feet with bent knees.
Do balance training, such as single-leg balance and hopping drills.
Video: ActiveKidMD on YouTube. Learn Volley is not affiliated with this channel.
How we choose and price tiers
Last checked: October 2026. Models change every year or two, and older versions are often discounted and still good.
Price tiers compare the braces on this page: Mid-range = the usual price of a sports ankle brace, Premium = noticeably more. None of these picks is a budget brace. Actual prices vary a lot by country and retailer.
How we choose: we don't test products ourselves. We compare makers' specs and size charts with independent reviews, such as the review videos on this page. We don't earn commissions from these picks and no brand pays to be listed. If that ever changes, we'll say so on this page.
Frequently asked questions
Are ankle braces legal in volleyball?
Yes. Braces are allowed unless the referee thinks one could injure the player or others.
