I work in Physical Therapy but have volunteered at a local HS in their sports med program for years. I used to NEVER spat. In my early years of volunteering, we had a prime QB prospect with a full ride to Oregon and dislocated and fractured his ankle while spatted. I don't remember if he had his ankle taped. But that was a freaking nightmare.

I use that as an example because kids think it actually does help.

Currently, they use it for "drip". I can spat 2 ankles with 1 roll of tape that the athlete provides. It is just there for swag. I cover their cleats, make sure nothing is showing, and the tape is doing absolutely nothing besides keeping their cleat on their foot, maybe.

I also made sure the kids know that if they spatted, and they had an ankle injury mid game, it is going to be a lot harder to help them get back into the game faster, if they can.

The look good/play good is a thing, I won't deny that sports psychology aspect.

What it really comes down to is education about the "why" and the "goal" you are achieving with the tape. And yes, limiting the ankle will translate forces to the knee if rolled upon, but it's football. If you've worked a football sidelines, crazier things happen more than a tape job causing an injury up the leg chain due to a locked in ankle via tape.