we have to get our ankles taped before each and every practice. I've been under three different head coaches since i've been in college and that was all of their rules. Most skill players do get their ankles taped, mainly to prevent injury and nothing else. The loss in speed would only occur if you had your ankles taped all the time and your tendons became dependent on the tape. the loss in strength of an ankle is minuscule compared to the advantages it offers in the area of injury prevention.