HOW TO GET BETTER GRIP FROM BASKETBALL SHOES

HOW TO GET BETTER GRIP FROM BASKETBALL SHOES:

 

If there is anything a basketball player would wish to have, slipping is always the last thing in mind. It makes no sense to worry about how much basketball shoes cost and again worry about how to get better grip during the game. You have to choose one struggle. And that is, you need to buy sneakers with excellent grip and traction. From the word go, basketball sports involve quick starts, sudden stops, changes in directions, and jumping. In short it is one of the sports activities with multi-directional movements. That means, no matter how many basketball shoes should fit you, the most important thing is how great their traction is.

 

Additionally, most indoor courts, made of hardwood and asphalt, have high tendency of becoming slippery and smooth. They sometimes become dirty full of dust after long time of sporty activities. The dust can accumulate on the shoe soles and the final result is slipping and even knocking off of the players. As a player, or even if you are more into basketball shoes, getting a better grip should always be at the top of your mind to prevent such issues like ankles and knee injuries. So you should stop focusing on ‘how many basketball shoes should i get’ and start thinking about how you can get basketball shoes with better grip on the courts.

 

How to Fix Slippery Shoes

 

It has come to notice that not all shoes are bought with grip issues. Some slippery cases have been reported after several matches, causing more tension to players, and drastically lowering their performance. Questions on how to fix such slippery shoes have flooded internet blogs, many players resolving into using homemade mechanisms to get better grips. However, whether you choose, locally improved means or advanced techniques, I am here to tell you that the problem can be solved through simple means, which we are going to share in this piece of writing.

 

1. Cleaning

 

If you thought this is a mere task, you are wrong. Cleaning has a greater impact on the overall performance of the players. Well, if you are in love with indoor sports, you will notice that some players will break in between the plays to wipe their shoe soles with their hands. Not once, not twice. They do it severally until the end of the match. They do it, not because they like it, all they aim at is to restore the grip from their shoes. And that is what you and me are all after. Cleanliness in basketball revolve around two main circles; the court and the shoes.

 

Cleaning The Shoes

 

The most common tactic used in cleaning sports shoes is by wiping the sole with a wet towel during the match. Sometimes you will notice some player licking their hands and wiping the soles. However, this might not be the perfect solution, and might have hidden demerits to the players. As much as wiping your shoes during the match can save little moments of embarrassments, it can be tedious and lower your power output in the team. It also comes with some drawbacks that include;

 

• Wetting your soles with too much water will be more hazardous than the meagre case of natural slippage. If you doubt, do you know the difference between a dry slip and a wet slip? I guess you don’t and that is why it’s recommended to try as much as you can to avoid using much water on your soles. If you remember how much basketball shoes took from your pocket, you won’t allow them to cause injuries simply because you used too much water

• In a case where one area of the sole is wetter than others, it means that some areas might be cleaned while others will get slick, resulting in imbalanced traction.

• Thirdly, how can you guarantee that wetting your towel will yield consistent results? Obviously, the materials might not have uniform water coverage.

• Last but not least, since players find it easy to wipe their soles with their hands, it does not mean that they end up cleaning the entire sole surface. I don’t think you have perfectly flat, large hands that will clean the entire sole in a single wipe.

 

With all these limitations, cleaning your sneakers during the play will not yield permanent results. It may need you doing it over and over till the end of the game. Something you should not rejoice about. The most reliable, if not permanent, solution is to clean your shoes ahead of the game. There are several DIY techniques to use in cleaning your shoes which we are it going to tackle today, but they are worth learning. I guess knowing about how many basketball shoes should fit your weekly matches won’t be enough if you do not include vital information on how to clean the same pumps.

 

Cleaning The Courts.

 

Basketball courts tend to hold a lot of activities in a single week. It is therefore, likely to get dirty frequently, requiring often cleaning and attendance. However, it is not just cleaning that will restore the grip from the basketball shoes. You need to choose the best time to clean which is before the match. In case you like playing with your friends or before the actual game, why don’t you come an hour or two before the game to clean the court? As I mentioned earlier, playing on wet surfaces can be more dangerous than just slipping due to dust and dirt.

 

Another important thing to note is that cleaning the courts with a dry mop will not solve anything. Wet cleaning is the best way to go. However, after cleaning the court you need to dry it before the game. in all cases, cleaning the courts before the actual game will remove the dirt and dust, and also dry the court which prevent the slipping issue by the players.

 

2. Using Enhancers

 

Noticeably, cleaning your shoes during the game or courts will not permanently restore the grip from your shoes. You need a more improved method to get a better grip. These include turning to special grip enhancers. I remember, when I had a similar problem, I could spend almost three hours after the game cursing my shoes for letting me down during the game. I spent sleepless nights thinking how many basketball shoes should I get, yet none of them proved worthy during the game. that is when I visited my store to inquire on how to get a permanent solution. Funny enough, they advised on two means; buying new pair, which I have done severally, and using grip enhancers during the game. I decided to use enhancers and I testify that they did a great job.

 

Grip enhancers are not only meant for old shoes that have totally lost their grip. They can also be used on newer shoes to retail their traction throughout the game. some of the commonly used grip enhancers are;

 

• Traction fluid.

• Grip lotion

• Hair spray

• A gel mat or traction mat

 

The enhancers will provide you with extra grip during the game. All you need is to apply enough amounts to the outsole before the game. However, grip enhancers do come with their limitations, making them not a permanent solution for your shoes. Such limitations include;

 

1. Time consuming. You know why? You have to sit down more than five mutes applying the gel or lotions and wait for them to dry. That means you cannot apply them and join the team immediately. If you are that kind of a player who thinks of how many basketball shoes should fit you during a single match, then you need to apply on all pairs before the game.

2. You are lucky to get the best grip from your sneakers, but the question is ow long will it last? Not forever because the gel or lotion ends up forming a layer of dust on your outsoles. The final result, you are back to slipping. This may want you to apply is again at an interval of at least five minutes, which lowers your game performance.

3. From the research, gels and lotions are typically magnetic. They are likely to attract a vicious layer of dirt and dust on your outsoles. This leads to a buildup of a hard-packed gunk, which do not only make your shoes heavy, but also slippery during the game.

Moreover, I did not mean to discourage you from using the enhancers. They offer a great help during the game and they are the simplest tricks to maintain the traction of the shoes. However, if you find it tedious applying grip enhancers during the massive court actions, you try avoiding them, and that means you will need to use the next option, which is;

 

4. A Slipp-Nott Traction Mat

 

In NBA and NCAA pro levels, players use this kind of mat to strengthen their traction. The mat is mostly used in smooth indoor surfaces. Slipp-Nott Traction Mat instantly and effectively traps the dirt and dust from the soles once you step on it. The final result is dirt-free soles with excellent traction within three seconds. It has the following features;

 

• Disposable adhesive sheets that are fitted on a strong base.

• Durable highly effective Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Terpolymer (A.B.S).

• The underside is backed up with a ribbed rubber that prevents it from sliding and damaging the floor.

 

The good news is that the mat comes with 30, 60, or 75 sheets of your choice. There are also replacement mats that are sold separately. It is the original mat that is used on all smooth indoor floors and sports including; basketball, volleyball, badminton, fencing, handball, and racquetball. You can use the mat until the entire adhesive is covered with dirt and dust, then you can replace it with a new mat. I know you may be thinking of how much basketball shoes and uniform cost you, and adding another item on your budget, but do that favor to your team and you stand no chance to regret.

 

5. DIY

 

Buying the enhancers every season might sound a bit ridiculous, right. But if you need a durable solution, you must consider getting one. On the other hand, not everyone can afford the Slipp-Nott Traction Mat since its quite expensive. That does not mean you should end the game. There is a way out which involves using simple hacks listed below;

 

• Using a toothpick to remove pebbles and dirt particles that may stick inside the grooves of the outsoles. If you let too many pebbles to stick in the outsoles, they are likely to cause slipping, or even wearing and tearing of the outsoles.

• Wiping off the bottom of your shoes with a damp cloth and soapy water. Soapy water makes the shoes stickier during the game.

• Avoid using your basketball shoes outdoors. The rough outdoor surfaces have a high tendency of killing the traction of your shoes. It is quite advisable to stick to the specific purpose of the shoe.

• Clean your shoes after every game and store them in a safe place, preferably inside their bags. This act will undoubtedly increase the life span of your sneakers.

 

6. More Permanent Solution

 

Done with all cleanings, enhancers, and replacement methods but the problem is not yet solved? Look for a permanent solution. The grip can also be restored by taking your shoes to the repair and have it checked. The repair includes replacing the outsole with a stickier sole. This method would favor you if you like your pair of basketball shoes and you are not ready to part with it. Once you notice your outsoles have started wearing out or losing their original form, you can take them to the local repair or even shoe store.

 

Furthermore, the only permanent solution to slippery shoes is buying a new pair. Continuously replacing your shoe soles and applying enhancers will never solve the problem. When I think of how many basketball shoes should I get, I always consider their traction and how long they will serve me.

 

Bottom line

 

Everyone wants to have great grip from their shoes. It is hazardous when you slip in the court, not mentioning the consequences. Therefore, coming up with simple means to restore grip on the floor will be a good idea. However, prevention is better than cure, so you can prevent the mess by getting a new pair of shoes before the game in case the present pair is worn out.