Basketball: Quotes

Basketball: The Shoes

Some people seem to think that the shoes can make or break your game. There are some really vibrant shoes out there, and just the classic black and white ones. Basketball shoes are so hard to find, especially good ones for women! Here is the buyers guide to finding good shoes!

• What Kind of Player Are You?
  • Power player
  • All-around player
  • Fast player

Shoe Construction

• Upper
• Midsole
• Outsole

Men's vs. Women's Basketball Shoes

Determine Your Shoe Size

Fit Tip

What Kind of Player Are You?

Power player

• Power players will want shoes with maximum cushioning and stability. You may have to play in a heavier shoe to get those benefits.

All-around player

• Look for shoes with moderate ankle support and cushioning
• There are many shoes to choose from. Almost all types are fairly lightweight.

Fast player

• Choose a lightweight shoe that offers moderate support, cushioning and flexibility
• Shoes with a lower-cut are often good choices

Shoe Construction

Understanding the construction of basketball shoes and determining which features are most important to you will help you select the right shoe.

Upper

The upper is the soft top of the shoe. Its job is to keep the foot snug and securely in place during play.

• Shoe cut
  • Determining if you're most comfortable in high-, mid- or low-tops is the first step in finding the right shoe for you
    • High-tops
      • Keep in mind that the vast majority of players, around 70% choose high-tops for their ability to provide maximum ankle support
      • Power players and all-around players usually prefer the stability of this style
  • Mid-tops
    • For players who feel restricted in high-tops, and who use speed as their greatest asset, mid-tops, which come to right at the ankle level, may be the answer
  • Low-tops
    • Only about 10% of players wear low-tops for regular play
    • These are lighter, but don't offer the built-in ankle support that high-tops do

Materials

• The days of the all leather upper are gone
• Replacing them are lightweight combination uppers, which mix the stability and durability of leather with the breathability and flexibility of synthetic mesh
• High-tech, all-synthetic uppers, which are often more durable than leather, are gaining popularity for their ability to offer stability in a super-lightweight material

Closure systems

• A good closure system will keep the foot snug and secure in the shoe during sudden stops and starts, frequent side-to-side motions, and quick turns
  • Laces
    • Laces are an acceptable choice for keeping the foot stable in the shoe
    • Several manufacturers are offering new lacing systems designed to offer greater stability
    • Good lacing systems should lock the laces in place, making them less apt to loosen or untie, increasing your stability during play

Straps

• Some shoes feature a strap that wraps around the upper arch of the shoe to add more stability and protection against ankle rollover

Zippers

• Zippers are a fairly new choice for securing the foot in a basketball shoe. These are usually covered by some sort of protective material.

Velcro®

• Good for younger children who can't tie their shoes yet
• Not real reliable in terms of staying closed, and doesn't offer good support

Midsole

This is the layer of soft, shock-absorbing material between the outsole and the upper. It is often considered the most important part of a basketball shoe, because the construction and materials used will impact the levels of cushioning and shock absorption and can affect a player's ability to explode off the floor.

• Cushioning materials
  • The midsole is usually made of EVA, compressed EVA, polyurethane or a combination of these materials. Proprietary cushioning technologies are also found in many brands of basketball shoes.
    • EVA/Compressed EVA offers lightweight cushioning, but not as much stability and durability. EVA can be compressed to make it somewhat more durable.
    • Polyurethane (PU) is a more dense and durable cushioning material. It can add stability to the shoe, but also adds weight.
    • Proprietary Cushioning Technologies are usually found in the heel and forefoot of the shoe and add an extra degree of cushioning without much extra weight

Motion Control/Stability

• Stiff materials are used in some basketball shoes on the medial or inner side of the shoe to reduce inward rolling of the foot
• Heavier densities of cushioning materials may also be used in the medial area to increase a shoe's stability. The midsole can negatively affect stability if the cushioning materials are too thick.
• Look for relatively thin layer of cushioning to keep your base of support low and stable

Outsole

This is the rubber bottom of the shoe.

• Stability
  • The outsole of a good basketball shoe should be flat and moderately wide to create a stable base and help prevent ankle rollover
  • The herringbone pattern is most common and provides enough traction to keep you steady during quick stops and starts
  • Most shoes are designed for indoor play. If you play most often on outdoor courts, look for a shoe with a more durable outsole.
  • Some basketball shoes are designed specifically for outdoor play and feature heavier rubber outsoles

Men's vs. Women's Basketball Shoes

• Most women should not buy men's basketball shoes
• Men's shoes are built on a wider last or "frame" than women's shoes
• Men's basketball shoes are generally too wide for a woman's foot, and do not offer an appropriate degree of stability

Determine Your Shoe Size

• Determining your proper shoe size is essential to a comfortable fit
• Don't assume your shoe size is the same as it always has been. The shape of your feet changes over time.
• For the perfect fitting shoe, see Determine Your Shoe Size before making your purchase decisions

Toe Area	Width Area	Heel Area
Allow (thumbnail's length) of space between top of longest toe on largest foot and the end of the shoe	Foot should fit comfortably without stretching the upper over the midsole of the shoe	Heel can move but is not supposed to slip

Basketball: Quotes

Basketball: Why Play?

1. Teamwork – learning how to work with others towards a common goal is a critical life skill that a team sport such as basketball instills.
2. Physical fitness – playing basketball on a regular basis improves coordination & speed, as well as improving strength & cardiovascular health. Ball handling & dribbling also improve fine motor skills.
3. Mental – basketball requires & develops critical thinking & problem analysis skills.
4. Cost – in general, basketball allows kids to experience the benefits of team sports without incurring the prohibitive costs of sports that require a lot of equipment. A good pair of shoes & a ball & you are good to go!
5. Fun! Enough said! Time to get out there & play!

Basketball: Practice

How can you get better at basketball without actually playing basketball? Some people don't always have access to a court, or even a hoop. Here are some ways to improve different areas of your game without actually playing.

1. Skipping: skipping can improve your footwork, and help you play better on defense. Also, it is cardio, so it will help when your running up and down the court.

2. Running: running is pretty self explanatory, this will make your cardio better so you are able to be running around the court all the time.

3. Weights: maybe you have weights at home. If you do, you can use them to help improve both your upper and lower body strength. Strength can be crucial in all parts of your game, from making a long shot to boxing out a big post.
- try lunges, squats, push ups and bench presses for some basic strength training.

These three exercises will help improve important areas of your game. You can also try vertical jumps, and different defensive exercises. These are all good exercises however, there is nothing like getting on the court and actually practicing with a hoop!

Basketball: Quotes

Basketball Movies

These were the top 9 voted basketball films.

1. Coach Carter (2005)

2. The Hoosiers (1986)

3. Above The Rim (1994)

4. Blue Chips (1994)

5. White Men Can't Jump (1992)

6. He Got Game (1998)

7. Glory Road (2006)

8. Love & Basketball (2000)

9. Hoop Dreams (1994)

Basketball Quotes

Basketball: Dribbling Drills

Check out these basketball drills that will help improve your ball handling skills!

1. Power Crossovers - Power dribble in your right hand, and then quickly bounce the ball to your left hand. Power dribble with your left hand for a few seconds before bouncing the ball back to your right hand.

2. Dribble Blindfolded - Wrap a cloth around your head as a blindfold, or you could simply close your eyes...no peeking. Power dribble a ball for at least 60 seconds. This drill helps you enhance your tactile sense of the ball. You can enhance the drill by performing it in the center of a deserted basketball court, walking around while dribbling. To make the drill even more challenging, try power dribbling two balls, one in each hand, while being blindfolded and slowly walking around a deserted basketball court.

3. 10-5 Repeats - This drill exercises power dribbling with one hand at a time. Choose which hand your would like to practice. Power dribble for 10 seconds, then soft dribble for 5 seconds. Repeat multiple times. This exercise teaches your arm muscles how to alternate between various dribbling speeds that occur during game play.

4. Dribble Between Legs While Walking - In order to do this drill you will need a segment of floor, such as a basketball court floor, a street's sidewalk, or a wide hallway that is deserted. Power dribble while walking up and down the walkway. Power dribble the ball between your legs to practice fancy dribbling skills. To enhance the drill, perform the drill at a quicker walking pace, maybe at a light jogging pace.

 5. Double Ball Power Dribbling - Power dribble two balls, one in each hand. This will increase your arm strength for dribbling and enhance your dribbling control. Since you can't look at both hands at the same time, this drill will also practice your ability to power dribble without looking at the ball.

6. Power Dribbling Sprints - This drill requires you to power dribble for an extended period of time and run back and forth on the basketball court. Stand at one end of a basketball court. Dribble to the nearest foul line, and then return to the baseline. Dribble to the middle of the court, and then return to the baseline from which you started. Dribble to the farthest foul line, and then return to the baseline from which you started. Finally, dribble the entire length of the court, and return to the baseline from which you started. This entire continuous power dribbling exercise counts as one complete cycle of the drill. Repeat multiple times to practice your dribbling, speed, and direction-changing abilities.

7. Chair Dribbling - Set up 3 chairs or cones in a line, spacing each chair/cone 10 feet apart. Power dribble around the chairs/cones in different shapes, such as figure-eights, circles, or any shape. Use your imagination.

8. Dirt dribbling - This drill actually requires you to leave the basketball court and find a patch of dirt. Do a Power dribble on the dirt for 1 or 2 minutes. You will need to power dribble the ball even harder than usual in order to get the ball to bounce on the dirt. This drill is an extremely good arm workout with power dribbling.

Start with just a few of these exercises, and then expand your workouts to include more drills. You can also modify the drills to be more challenging by increasing the number of repetitions or slightly modifying the drill.

Basketball: Correcting Mistakes

3 WAYS TO GET OUT OF A SHOOTING SLUMP.

We all have them, and there's no worse feeling! At the beginning of the season you were hitting every shot, and now it seems you aren't making any! Here are 3 ways to help get out of the slump, and start hitting shots again.

1. Stop Hesitating

Now, whenever you get the ball, don't stop and think about what to do! You already know what to do, shoot.

2. Practice More

There's no pressure in practice, so get to it! You don't have to be worried about making your shots, and the more shots you make, the faster you'll get out of your slump! Start shooting close to the basket, and move out as you improve.

3. Clear Your Mind

When we think about our shot too much, we tend to miss. You just need to focus on your shot to be able to make them! Don't think about anything else!

Try these interesting techniques for clearing your mind in practice!

•Start by shooting five balls eight feet away from the hoop.
•Next, take five shots using your weaker hand.
•Now, go to the free-throw line. Shoot another five shots with your weaker hand.
•Go to the 3-point line. Do another five shots with your weaker hand.
•Now move over to half court. Take five shots with your stronger hand.
•Don't laugh, but now you're going to stand on one leg. Take five shots with your strong hand. Make sure you focus; really try to make the shots.
•Don't move. Now, close one eye, and keep standing on one leg. Take 5 shots with your strong hand. You might not make it, but that's not important. Just keep trying.
•Now, switch to your weaker hand. Stay on one leg, with one eye closed. This is going to be hard, but again, really try to make it!
•Now move into your regular shooting range and do some jump shots with your right hand. Don't worry about making or missing them. Just shoot. These shots are really easy now, right?
If you make a shot, then make sure you congratulate yourself. Don't berate yourself if you miss; just focus on the good. And remember to have fun!
If you're in a slump, do this exercise as often as you can.