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How to keep hands dry when playing basketball


How to Relieve Sweaty Hands While Playing Basketball

Introduction

Basketball is an intense, action packed, adrenaline rushing sport.  And with a typical game of basketball requiring nearly 48-minutes of play, you’re definitely going to leave the court drenched in sweat.  And while a good sweat never hurt anyone, having sweaty palms or hands while playing basketball can be detrimental to your success on the court.

Below, we are going to review how to relieve sweaty hands while playing basketball.  In addition to including commonly used techniques to relieve both sweaty hands and palms while playing basketball, we will give you helpful hints and tips to reduce the amount of sweat your hands produce while playing basketball.

Disclaimer

Please note, we here at Ball Are Life are affiliated with the Amazon Associates Program.  This means we may receive a small commission from any purchases made via our links below.  This is at no additional cost to you.   While we appreciate the additional commission, we would never recommend a product or service which does not align with our core values nor any product which we would not use ourselves.

Why do Our Hands Sweat While Playing Basketball?

Sweating is a natural occurrence in life.  And sweating itself is your body’s mechanism to cool itself.  In fact, your nervous system automatically triggers sweat glands when your body temperature rises.   However, and interestingly, your body is more likely to trigger sweating on your hands and palms when you are nervous.

While playing basketball, you are increasing your body’s internal temperature.  Due to the stress, mental and physical exertion, and constant back-and-forth nature of a game of basketball, you are more likely to trigger your body’s sweat glands to help you regulate your body’s temperature.

In addition to the physical stress of a basketball game, many games may cause stress and internal distressing feelings.   This can be true of a “big game” or even a pick-up game at your local park.  Due to these feelings, your body may react by activating your sweat glands.

In addition to sweat glands being activated by internal rises to your body’s temperature due to physical exertion, they can also be activated when you feel nervous.  These nerves can be sensitive to emotions, hormones, and other stressors.  So, when you feel stressed, your body temperature rises, prompting your sweat glands to kick in to help regulate your temperature.

Why Should You Relieve Sweaty Hands and Palms While Playing Basketball?

Basketball is a sport that primarily relies on the use of both your hands and palms for success.  From gripping the ball, to dribbling, to shooting the ball, to passing the ball to a teammate, your hands and palms are natural extensions of the ball and are your primary tools for success.

However, having sweaty hands or palms can cause you to have a disadvantage on the court.   This is primarily due to the reduced grip sweaty hands or palms will cause.  With a reduced grip, you are not only more likely to lose the ball during a dribble, pass, or shot, but will also have difficulty maintaining the ball for proper positioning while completing any of the above actions.

While sweating is natural and is your body’s reaction to a rise in internal temperature rise, you should take steps to alleviate and relieve those symptoms for better play.  However, it is important to note, that if you are experiencing copious amounts of hand, palm, or overall sweating, then you should consult with a doctor or medical professional.

Copious, unwarranted sweating may be a symptom of a larger issue.  We are not medical professionals and never claim to be.  Basketball, quite simply, is a game.  If you are experiencing bouts of sweating fits, then seek medical and professional help to ensure your own safety and health.  The game can wait.

How to Relieve and Alleviate Hand or Palm Sweat While Playing Basketball

While sweating is a natural occurrence, thankfully there are a number of over-the-counter solutions to help alleviate sweaty palms or hands.   As mentioned above, having sweaty hands or palms while playing basketball can be detrimental to your on-game success and can cause you to lose the ball during a shooting, passing, or dribbling action.

  • Peak District Magnesium Carbonate – our personal favorite and recommendation to alleviate and relieve symptoms of excess sweat on your hands and palms while playing basketball is Peak District Magnesium Carbonate.  Coming in a pack of two, Peak District provides an easy to use, hassle free, premium grip chalk through a chalk ball system that can be easily placed in your gym bag.  Simply grab one ball between your hands and residue from the chalk will keep your hands and palms sweat-free.
  • Cramer Firm Grip – Cramer Firm Grip is another great anti-sweat solution to keep your hands and palms sweat free while playing basketball.  Designed to improve your grip during a game of basketball or other rigorous activity, Cramer’s is a perfect anti-slip solution that can be easily used and stored.
  • Tourna Grip RX – Tourna Grip RX is a powerful solution to sweaty hands and palms.  Dispenses as a liquid, Tourna dries quickly to a light powder, giving you a firm, secure grip.  What we really love about Tourna is that it not only dries sweaty hands and palms, but also blocks sweat from the pores on your hand.  Although it takes a few seconds to begin working, it works for nearly an entire basketball game, giving you the protection from sweaty hands you need.

Do NBA Players Use Chalk or Grip Powder?

A resounding yes.  NBA players are famous for their use of chalk and grip powder to maintain sweat free hands and palms.  If you watch any basketball game, you’ll see the likes of LeBron James and other NBA superstars using chalk, and even throwing it in the air before the start of a game.

The use of chalk by NBA players is meant to help their grip and maintain proper control of the ball.  As NBA players exert great physical stress on their body’s, chalk and other grip powder helps them to maintain control of the ball during the game.

However, as these players play for upwards of 48-minutes per game, frequent reapplication of chalk or grip powder is common.

Alternatives to Chalk to Alleviate Hand Sweat While Playing Basketball

Although chalk and grip powders are the most common form of anti-sweat material, many NBA and basketball players prefer to utilize a simple towel or the bottom of their shoes for additional grip.  Although wiping your hands or palms on the back of your shoes is not exactly hygienic, it is a simple and effective solution.

Best Grip Powder For Basketball (2022 Review) – 17rebound

by Shao Chen

Basketball grip powder can improve your handles instantly. Combined with the warmth of your hands to become tacky, it makes it easier to grip the ball when playing sports like football or basketball.  

Basketball grip powder stops your hands from sweating so you can grip the ball better. These powders absorb moisture easily, keeping your hands from appearing too damp. They can also help increase your grip, which may be diminished due to sweat avoid caking your hands in powder, which may make you sweat more. 

Without further ado, here are my top 3 choices of grip powders I have used to improve my skills.

Table of Contents

1. Cramer Firm Grip Powder

Check on Amazon

Pros: 

  • Wood rosin-based formula.
  • Perfect for any type of sports.
  • Get traction on outdoor sports in hot weather. 
  • Isn’t just for your hands, it can be used for any tools.
  • Increase in handling small objects, so you can perform at your highest level.

Cons:

  • Requires re-application if you have sweaty hands.  

Cramer firm grip is designed to improve your grip during a variety of activities that require strong, secure hold. This essential athletic training product is the perfect topical anti-slip solution for sweaty grip that increases your ability to handle or hand on to various objects such as basketball. 

2. Dry Hands Ultimate Gripping solution

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Pros: 

  • Gives you the confidence of a glove with the natural touch of your bare hand. 
  • Great for indoor and outdoor sports.
  • Excellent for double the dryness. 
  • Less mess than liquid chalks. 
  • Good for any exercise such as ball games, pole work, lifting, and ETC.   

Cons:

  • Good, but doesn’t last for super long.

This product provides a stronger grip because it creates a sticky bond between you and the ball/tools. However, it is grittier and also leaves a sticky residue on the ball/tool that may create a layer attracting moisture (in winter or humid weather) which ultimately may create slipping if not cleaned off.  

Dry hands product simply wipes away moisture on the applied surfaces. It is great for people with dry skin.

3. Tourna Rosin Bottle Grip

Check on Amazon

Pros:

  • Super easy to use. 
  • Simply great for any exercise.
  • The bottle can last up until 6 months – 1 year depend on how much you use it. 
  • It makes your hand dry and tacky.
  • Works better even with a glove. 
  • Overall a great product. 

Cons: 

  • Not for dancers.
  • The product itself is not an antiperspirant so will prevent sweating.

Removes sweat on humid days when you really need it. Seems to get the sweat off. It is a lot better than just wiping your hands. If you are just starting to use grip powder. This one will work for any type of exercise and lifting.  

Q. Why do NBA players put chalk on their hands?

A. Grip powder helps players maintain a better grip on the basketball, even for those who don’t have particularly sweaty hands.  

Q. How do I stop my hands from sweating when I play basketball?

A. Preventing your hands from sweating might seem like a great workaround to grip powder, but it is difficult to execute. Rosin or antiperspirant deodorant might help, but the best answer I have found is to simply use a grip powder. 

Q. Will grip powder help me palm the basketball?

A. Yes, grip powder significantly increases the chances that you will be able to palm the ball. 

Conclusion

You can’t go wrong with any of the grip powders I listed above. I have tried many grip powders over the years, and those 3 I listed are really good for any sport. 

If you find this page helpful in any way, please spread the word. Thank you and have fun rebounding. 

Basketball coaching hacks: how to score goals for beginners

Even if you are a novice basketball player, we will not give you a training plan, but we will tell you why the ball flies anywhere but into the ring and into your hands. It's all about technique: even with regular training and perseverance, novice adults and children often make simple mistakes. It's a shame, let's fix it. Below are 11 life hacks on how to hone your technique to increase the likelihood of a goal for your team.

Basketball Shot Rules for Beginners

1. Hands up

In pursuit of the attacker, raise your hands, even if you are standing with your back to the pass, and even more so if the ring is in front of you. Your raised hands will increase the chance of intercepting the ball from the opponent by 2 times. Don't overlook this little thing!

2. Make shield rolls

Even Tim Duncan did not neglect them! A square is drawn on the basketball backboard. If you are standing opposite the ring, then aim at the middle of the upper part of the square, if you are standing on the side, then at the corner. If you hit this square, then the ball is at 90% of cases will fall into the ring. The law of physics and no cheating!

3.

Look at the ring, not at the ball

Practice driving the ball with your hand, not your eyes, develop tactile control. Your eyes should be on the hoop while dribbling and be aware of the position of your body in relation to the hoop. Then you will be able to take the correct posture, and the throw will be effective.

4. Dribble with the balls of your fingers only

The palm should not touch the ball, only the pads of the fingers. Dribbling should become familiar to you, like an extension of your hand. Then you can change its trajectory at any time and you will have more chances to score goals. Practice with the ball constantly.

5. Throw with one hand

If you throw the ball with two hands, you reduce the chance of hitting the basket. All the efforts of the throw are in one hand (in the right for right-handers, in the left for left-handers). The other hand only holds the ball, the leading one holds it with the fingers, not the palm.

6.

Do not jump when protecting the ring

Jumping is the main mistake of rookie defenders. To intercept the ball and block the shot, simply stick out your hands. When you are in a jump, the attacker will easily bypass you.

7. Don't look back

When you dribble, don't look back, but dribble and aim for the ring, focus on shooting (or passing to another player on your team).

8. Bring the throw to automatism

Incorporate the most basic basketball techniques into your training plan and bring the shot to automatism. Throw first from a distance of half a meter from the ring, gradually increasing it. Learn to throw the ball so that it hits the hoop without touching the edge.

Throw the ball with all fives and jump

Throwing Rules:

  • Head in the center of the body - if tilted, accuracy is lost.
  • Look at the ring: mentally build a trajectory. If you are far away, the ball flies in a curved curve with a maximum height of 2 meters above the hoop.
  • A strong hand is in front and throws, a weak hand is on the side and directs, only holding the ball. The elbow of the throwing hand must be in line with the ring.
  • The ball must rest on the fingers without touching the palm. The fingers are as far apart as possible and grab the ball.
  • Throwing arm bent 90 degrees, forearm perpendicular to the floor. If you bend less, then you get not a throw, but a throwing of the ball horizontally.

The main thing in the throw is the position of the body and its balance. Place your feet apart and parallel to each other: it is important to orient them in the middle of the basket. Then the direction of the body during the jump will coincide with the direction of the throw, and the ball will fly straight into the ring. When the feet are uneven, the ball flies in the wrong direction or does not reach (although the throw was normal).

Take a deep breath and release as you exhale.

How to hold the ball and shoot in basketball

How to throw correctly: straighten your arm, point your wrist up, and with your hand set the ball to rotate in the opposite direction from the flight. The ball should seem to "roll" off your fingers.

9. Copy masters and play as a team

Watch professional basketball games and try to copy the movements of your favorite players in training. And be sure to conduct game sparring - this will allow you to develop more techniques.

10. Do not throw in a straight line

The higher the arc of the ball, the greater the chance of a goal and the less chance of blocking by the opponent.

11. Do not throw the ball from a full height stand

This is the biggest newbie mistake!

Before the throw, bend your knees slightly and at the moment of the throw, straighten your body, making a jump. You need to straighten up and push off the ground at the same time. When squatting, keep the elbow of the throwing arm close to the body and towards the ring.

The jump will give momentum to the ball and will allow you not to make sudden movements with the brush.

***

And to be a long-term player, do not forget about your health: take care of your joints and muscles, use tapes, do a warm-up. And be sure to strengthen your arms, legs and shoulder girdle, develop coordination. Regular exercises on uneven bars and horizontal bars will help you with this.

3 proven ways to clean your hands from dirt

Dust and dirt in the garden eat into the skin, clog under the nails. Hands look sloppy and unkempt. But even after dacha work, a manicure can be beautiful. Protecting your hands is easy if you do not neglect these simple procedures.

Protect

Before working in the garden, also apply a moisturizing and protective cream to your hands and put on gloves. To prevent dirty nails, paint with a colorless polish or gel polish. They will create a layer that prevents dirt from clogging into the pores of the nails. And one more piece of advice. Before starting work, scratch the lightly soaked soap with your nails. Then the dirt will not get there. Then put on gloves, and after work just wash your hands. But be careful: if you have a broken nail or a torn cuticle, this procedure will cause discomfort. In these cases, you can glue the nails with a band-aid. To save your manicure, choose gloves with a latex or nitrile coating for "dirty" work. Pay attention to thickness. Thin latex medical gloves will tear immediately. It is better to use cotton-lined gloves, which will also protect your hands from sweat. Choose a size that fits snugly around your hand. Then it will be comfortable to work, and dirt will not get inside.

Look after

The drier the hands, the more dirt eats into them. That is why the skin needs to be moisturized, and especially before gardening. You can also help the skin from the inside - drink more water, add more oily fish to the diet, salads with vegetable oils, or drink a vitamin complex. It is important not to forget to apply cream on your hands every day. It is advisable to do this at least 2 times a day. During the summer season, periodically make simple hand masks. To do this, use any of the natural ingredients: honey, vegetable oil, fatty cottage cheese, sour cream, grape pulp.

Here are some interesting recipes from ingredients that you will probably find in your country house:

  1. Pick a cucumber from the garden, remove the skin from it and grate the pulp. Apply this mixture on your hands and put on gloves. The ideal scheme for applying the mask is every other day.

  2. Dig up a couple of potatoes, peel and make a pulp out of them. If there is milk in the refrigerator, add it to this mixture. Rub your hands, put on gloves and soak for 3 hours. It is very useful to make this mask before going to bed.

  3. Take a piece of bread and soak it in water. Apply the resulting mixture on your hands for half an hour. This mask is best done every day.

  4. Pick a couple of strawberries from the beds. Rub them with fat sour cream or cottage cheese and apply on your hands for 20-25 minutes. Do this mask every other day.

  5. Grate the zucchini and mix it with vegetable oil. Rub the mixture on your hands. Wash it off after half an hour.

Wash

If the hands are moistened and protected with latex or gloves, washing them will be easy. You can do this with a bar of soap. But sometimes garden dirt eats deep into the skin. For these cases, enterprising housewives came up with many interesting ways. But not all of them are hand safe.

Recommended hand cleaning methods:

  1. Make a bath with lemon pulp or citric acid. Apply this natural remedy on the skin for 5-10 minutes. You can wear gloves on top. Lemon will not only whiten the skin, but also strengthen the nails.


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