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How to make a basketball arm sleeve
How to make a basketball arm sleeve
Best Arm Sleeves for Basketball in 2022
The NBA game is getting faster and more athletic every year, watch any old game on NBA TV’s Hardwood Classics and it will almost seem as if the players are moving in slow-motion!
But with the increased speed comes one huge problem: injury risk. Injuries can ruin a team’s season and end players careers in a matter of seconds, so it’s no wonder that players try to do everything possible to prepare their bodies for the strains of an NBA game.
One way to prevent injuries or to get relief from chronic pain is compression gear. More and more NBA players are wearing compression pants, undershirts, and elbow sleeves, let’s find out why!
- Keeps your arms warm and loose
- Very affordable
- McDavid specializes on protective gear
Price: $13.77
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- Heat Gear material keeps you cool
- UPF 30+ sun protection
- Perfect if you sweat a lot
Price: $11.![]()
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- Popular “Elite” series design
- Ships in pairs
- Wide variety of colors
Price: $20.00
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- Used by many NBA players
- Padding at the elbow cushions impact of falls and collisions
- Perfect for aggressive basketball players
Price: $17.90
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Amazon Prices were last updated on 10/12/2022 11:16 PM EDT
Compression, Explosivity and Recovery
As it turns out, there is evidence that wearing compression gear helps muscles explode more powerfully. When the muscle fibers are condensed, they tend to fire off more rapidly.
This increase in explosivity is fairly minor but it can still help your game! It can make your hands just a tiny bit faster to get that steal, snap off that pass, or add just a little bit of range to your deep jump shots.
Another study showed that compression garments accelerate recovery. That means you can play more ball throughout the week and month – and who doesn’t want to do that?
Aside from the science, I can tell you from my personal experience that compression sleeves really help when I have a sore elbow (too much bench pressing…) and give me the confidence to shoot three-pointers without screwing up my technique. Maybe it’s the placebo effect, but I don’t care as long as it works!
How to Choose The Best Arm Sleeve
There are a few different concerns you need to address when choosing compression arm sleeves for basketball. First and foremost, you need to ask yourself about functionality. The second concern is cleanliness since arm sleeves are going to experience quite a lot of sweat.
Another thing you might care about is looks. Some people really get an emotional boost when looking good on the court while others could care less about how they look so long as they perform.
Functionality
Performance concerns include the fabric that the arm sleeve is made out of. Certain fabrics breathe better than others, but the non-breathable fabrics heat up your arm to keep it loose for a longer period. You also have to question the mobility of the fabric itself. Some compression sleeves are very restrictive while others are a little bit loose. You have to choose the right arm sleeve for your game.
Cleanliness
One of the biggest concerns when it comes to compression arm sleeves for basketball is cleanliness. You’re going to sweat into your arm sleeve and you’re going to rub up against other sweaty guys on the court. That can make the arm sleeve as smelly as a varsity locker room, but some fabrics resist this bacterially-driven scent.
Looks
And then there’s looks.
Some arm sleeves come with crazy prints that look like camouflage for a paintball arena. And then, of course, there’s the classic black for those who don’t want to stand out. The looks of the arm sleeve are completely up to you, but some basketball leagues may not allow you to play with particularly loud colors.
Do not forget that performance is king. When it comes to choosing your compression arm sleeve, cleanliness and looks should take a backseat to any performance gains you might receive. You can always run your arm sleeve through the laundry or wash it by hand in the sink. And you always look good winning on the court no matter what your arm sleeve looks like.
Let’s take a closer look at some popular elbow sleeves:
Best Arm Sleeves for Basketball Players
Price: $14.99 $13.77
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McDavid is very popular among serious basketball players and known for protective gear like ankle braces, compression pants and knee braces.
This shooter sleeve is sold individually, so make sure to order two if you need protection for both arms.
It is made out of 80% nylon and 20% spandex. These materials tend to be very tight and provide great compression, they also store heat very well and keep your arms warm and loose. If you are suffering from tendonitis or other chronic pain in your elbows then this is a great choice! It is also a good outdoor option as it is 100% UV protective.
The design of the sleeve is simple with a McDavid logo near the wrist and the option to choose from five different colors. All things considered, this is a no-thrills, affordable, and effective arm sleeve.
Price: $11.99
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This shooter sleeve is made from Under Amour’s trademarked HeatGear material which is designed to keep you cool during any workout or competition.
The sweat-wicking material also provides UPF 30+ sun protection which makes it perfect for outdoor games during hot summer days!
Pick the correct size then this arm sleeve will cover your arms from wrist to armpits and provide consistent compression. Like most arm sleeves, this product also ships individually.
If you are looking for something to keep you warm during winter or in cold gyms then this is not the right arm sleeve. But if you tend to sweat a lot and you need compression gear that keeps you cool then the Under Armour Shooter Sleeve is the perfect choice!
At first, this arm sleeve seems to be a lot more expensive than the other options in this article, but there is a simple reason for it: the Nike Pro Combat Elite Sleeve ships in pairs while the other ones ship individually!
Price: $20.00
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The Men’s Nike Pro Combat Elite Sleeve is the first option on this list to come with a print.
A line of blocks descends down the bicep and a straight black line is drawn across the forearm until it comes to the familiar Nike swoosh at the wrist. You’ll probably know the design from the popular Nike Elite basketball socks. If you are a fashion-conscious basketball player and you want a good-looking elbow sleeve that fits the rest of your outfit, then this is the pick for you!
This sleeve also features moisture-wicking technology. This type of fabric can prevent sweat from rolling down your wrist and on to your shooting hand. It keeps your hand dry which may actually improve accuracy. It also keeps your arms from becoming slippery where you can literally slide off your opponent. Consider ordering this elbow sleeve a size small as it tends to run big.
This is essentially the same arm sleeve as the other McDavid arm sleeve reviewed above. It is affordable, comes in only flat colors, and is made of 80% nylon and 20% spandex. But there is one key difference that I must recommend — it comes with a cushioned elbow.
I really like this addition as it gives me this “invincible” feeling that makes me drive harder to the hoop than I usually do. And I am not the only one who likes the McDavid 6500 – NBA players like Harrison Barnes or John Wall are swearing by it too!
John Wall and Harrison Barnes wearing padded shooter sleeves
Price: $24.99 $17.90
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The hex pattern on the elbow allows for maximum range of motion. The weight of the padding isn’t even noticeable and should not affect your shot. But the padding is there to reduce the impact of any falls you may have on the court. This is especially helpful out on asphalt courts. If you are wearing an arm sleeve for recovery so that you can play more basketball during your lifetime then this may be the sleeve for you.
It reduces those bangs and bumps that everyone experiences when playing at full speed.
Added bonus — you don’t have to worry about knocking anybody’s teeth out.
Conclusion
There really is no wrong way to go when choosing an arm sleeve. Some of the arm sleeves lend themselves to warmer weather by keeping your arm cool. Other arm sleeves heat your arm up quickly which may be good for older players or basketball played in the cold. But each of these sleeves will compress your arm effectively to increase explosivity and reduce the amount of time you need to recover between games.
Overall, I recommend the McDavid 6500 Padded Shooter Sleeve – it’s the most popular shooter sleeve among basketball players as it is affordable, looks good, and provides additional padding at the elbows. If it’s good enough for NBA players, it should work for you too!
Amazon.com: Sports Compression Arm Sleeves - Athletic & Shooting Sleeve for Youth, Kids, Men & Women
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Fit:
True to size. Order usual size.
Color: Black
Size:
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Product Details
Fabric Type
89% Polyester + 11% Spandex
Origin
Imported
About this Item
- SUPPORT, PERFORMANCE, RECOVERY: Featuring our patented HexStretch lightweight performance compression fabric these sleeves will help your performance and recovery.
The reactive 4 way stretch fabric provides uniform compression support with no pinch points.
- SUPPORT, PERFORMANCE, RECOVERY: Featuring our patented HexStretch lightweight performance compression fabric these sleeves will help your performance and recovery. The reactive 4 way stretch fabric provides uniform compression support with no pinch points.
- MUSCLE AND JOINT SUPPORT: Our HexStretchcompression sleeves provide muscle and joint support, helping you perform with confidence and reducing the risk of injury. Perfect for use as a basketball shooting sleeve, a volleyball arm sleeve or football arm sleeves.
- WORKS AS HARD AS YOU DO: Flexible, breathable, moisture wicking, and supportive, our compression sleeves are made from a soft and flexible 89% Polyester + 11% Spandex material that’s comfortable enough to last through all day hoop sessions, overtime, long runs and two-a-days at the gym.
- PREVENT AND PROTECT: Our padded compression sleeves protect against more than just muscle and joint injuries.
Featuring UPF 50 sun protection and acting as a barrier to prevent cuts and scrapes, these are great as arm sleeves for kids playing baseball or football.
- AVAILABLE AS A SINGLE PADDED SLEEVE: We also offer as a padded arm sleeve version (sold as a single arm sleeve) where the elbow area has our patented ergonomic ¼ inch padding V-Shox pattern, made with high density impact foam. The padded elbow sleeve is great as a padded arm sleeve for kids playing baseball or adults playing basketball.
Basketball sleeve: accessory or necessity
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Basketball Sleeve: Accessory or Necessity
Surely, at the match of your favorite team, you have noticed more than once that athletes are increasingly appearing on the court in long sleeves. Many do not pay much attention to this, but most people have become more interested in what it is?
We have all the necessary equipment and accessories for basketball, including basketball sleeves, which will be discussed in this article.
We will analyze what are the advantages of sleeves, what they are used for and whether they are a necessity or just a stylish accessory.
The history of the sleeve is associated with the name of the famous American basketball player Allen Iverson. The legendary sleeve first appeared on his arm in the 2000/01 season: according to the main version, the point guard had inflammation of the elbow ligaments - bursitis, so the sleeve was a necessity to improve blood circulation, and according to rumors - Allen had a tattoo with an obscene image and the league asked to hide it competently. Whichever version is correct, one thing we know for sure - the sleeve quickly won the love and close attention of other league players. The decorative nature of this accessory is already recognized by everyone, but does not bother anyone: fashion has become an important part of the image of basketball players on the court.
Allen Iverson
However, style is not the only reason why athletes use this piece of equipment in games and training.
The basketball sleeve is essential to protect joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons from strain and overheating during the game. Injuries in sports are not uncommon, so in order to somehow minimize the risk of getting them, many athletes, even from other sports, use fixative sleeves.
TYPES Basketball sleeve can be classified according to the level of protection of ligaments and muscles from damage:
first category - it includes sleeves that are usually used in the training process, they help prevent microtrauma, prevent relapses and are good helpers during the period recovery;
second category - these braces already have reinforced protection of the elbow joint, perfectly retain heat, they are made of a denser material and have a greater compression effect;
third category - sleeves in this category are used as a brace for the shooting arm and are suitable for players after serious injuries and sprains.
This type of sleeve provides the maximum level of protection and allows you to play with unstable injuries and bring matches to the end.
We have two types of retainers:
First category - Nike JORDAN SHOOTER SLEEVES. It is the most versatile, used for the training process, stretches well and fits almost any arm circumference. Wear-resistant, breathable and moisture-wicking material keeps muscles in good shape and does not hinder movement.
Second Category - Nike BASKETBALL HYPERSTRONG PADDED ELBOW SLEEVE. This model already comes with additional protection in the elbow area. Flexible silicone foam padding helps cushion the impact of hard knocks and falls. Despite the dense composition, all this is compensated by the Dry-FIT technology, which ensures dryness throughout the game.
Nike BASKETBALL HYPERSTRONG PADDED ELBOW SLEEVE
Using a basketball sleeve often helps to avoid sports injuries. The retainer not only keeps the muscles and ligaments in good shape, but also maintains a constant temperature in this area.
Also, it provides continuous compression on the entire surface of the arm from the wrist to the shoulder, which increases blood flow and the muscles are better supplied with oxygen. Therefore, fatigue accumulates more slowly and the athlete maintains his maximum performance longer.
Conclusion - after getting acquainted with one of the most important types of accessories, we can say with full confidence that basketball sleeves are not only part of the athlete's style, but also a recognized necessity.
Conclusion
Properly selected basketball compression equipment will allow you not only to do what you love, but also to do it without harm to health, preventing serious injuries in advance.
Basketball sleeves and other necessary basketball equipment can be found on our website in the "Basketball" section, as well as in our offline stores:
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types, advantages, how to determine the size up to the shoulder. Its main function is to protect muscles, tendons and ligaments from injury, sprains and impacts. It is worn by athletes who play not only basketball, but also volleyball players, handball players. Their main tool in matches is their hands, the muscles of which experience extraordinary tension during the game, not to mention the strong blows of the ball into the hand.
The use of a basketball sleeve will help to avoid microtrauma. It not only keeps the muscles and ligaments in good shape, but also maintains a constant temperature in the area. For the first time, the famous basketball player Allen Iverson put on such a product. Since then, many athletes in the world have used such a fixative at games and trainings.
In the article we will consider in more detail the types of sleeves, what materials they are made of, how they should be selected and processed.
Types of product
Basketball sleeves can be classified by the level of protection of ligaments and muscles from damage.
- 1st level implies protection of the player's throwing arm from sprains, microtraumas during training. This type of sleeve will be able to perform a supporting function for the arm with minor injuries or not yet fully recovered after sprain.
- Level 2 has enhanced protection for the elbow joint and better maintains the body's core temperature. It is made of a denser material and has a correspondingly greater compressive effect on a given group of muscles and ligaments. It is designed for more serious injury to the limb. With such fixation, pain does not have such an effect on the nervous system, the player can participate in the match even after moderate injuries.
- Level 3 provides the most protection for the throwing arm. Such a basketball sleeve is worn by players after serious injuries and sprains. The sleeve has a special structure for strong support of the elbow. In such a product, the player will be able to calmly bring the match to the end and will not experience pain even with unstable injuries.
It is made of nylon material that warms the body and reduces pain.
Nike Basketball Sleeve
The Nike brand produces several types of these products. There are simple containment and warming sleeves made of nylon fabric. This is Nike Pro. Its main advantage is support and a snug fit. The fabric has a moisture-wicking structure. All seams are made invisible and flat, they do not rub the surface of the skin even during active physical exertion. The fabric consists of two types of threads: nylon - 95% - and spandex - 5%. The sleeves are machine washable according to the instructions.
The next basketball sleeve is the Nike Pro Combat Hyperstrong Elite Arm Sleeve. This is a variant of the latch with reinforced elbow protection. It's made from special De-Tech foam that greatly reduces impact force. The fabric has a mesh structure that allows the skin to breathe and releases excess moisture. The skin remains dry even after intense physical exertion. The fabric is stretchy and stretches well.
How to choose the size?
In order not to make a mistake and not to buy a product that is too long, you need to know your size. Oddly enough, but when taking measurements, it is not the length of the arm that is measured, but the volume of the muscle. You need to take a flexible centimeter and measure the girth of the biceps. This is done only in a relaxed state.
| Biceps volume | Spear size |
| 20 - 25 cm | S |
| 25 cm | M |
| 30 - 35 cm | L |
Compression properties
Compression basketball sleeves are now very popular among players. During a huge load in matches and training, lactic acid accumulates in the muscles. The main property of this type of fixatives is the slowdown of such a process. They squeeze the muscles from the wrist right up to the shoulder, although the pressure is light, but even it contributes to the fact that the blood circulates more actively in this part of the arm and its oxygen supply improves.![]()
