How to make your shoes sticky for basketball

4 Quick Ways to Get Grip on Your Basketball Shoes

Grip is an incredibly important part of any basketball shoes. No matter what surface you play on, being able to stick to the floor allows you to run, move, and cut to the best of your ability.

Soles wear down quickly. They also collect quite a bit of dirt. Both of those setbacks cause you to slip and slide while on the court. That then greatly hinders your ability to stop and go, which then makes it much harder to drive to the lane or play defense.

Even shoes with only slightly worn down grip can cause you to be one second too early or one second too late. In basketball, that makes all the difference.

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1. The Cleaning Method

Though grip wears down over time, there are quite a few ways to keep your shoes in good shape. The first, and perhaps most effective, is by cleaning them.

Many basketball shoes start to lose their traction as a result of the dirt and dust they pick up from the floor. That layer, even if barely noticeable, causes shoes to easily slide across the hardwood.

There are two different cleaning methods that will help eliminate that layer and reliably give you more grip no matter how much you play.

First, you can wet a washcloth and use it to wipe down the bottom of your shoe. Just make sure to get into the grooves. You don’t need to do a deep scrub, but you need to do enough to lift off the dirt particles.

If you want to go bigger, you can also clean your soles with a stiff bristle brush and soapy water. Scrubbing down your shoe in this manner gives a deeper clean. However, I find that it is quite comparable to using a rag. It comes down to personal preference and the amount of dirt on your shoes.

2. Utilizing Enhancers

If cleaning isn’t working, or if you want to take an extra measure on the top of cleaning, you can always turn to special grip enhancers.

Grip lotions are easily available sprays that coat your shoe to add more tackiness to the sole. A quick spritz will be more than enough to give you the extra grip you need.

There are also special sticky pads, also called sticky mats, that improve grip. These are primarily used in a gym setting, where they sit off to the side of the court. You then step on them before the game or during breaks to get a bit of extra adhesion.

Both of the above methods improve your shoe’s grip. Though they both work on their own, I often use them in combination with the washing method to get the best of both worlds.

Just remember to never use your basketball shoes outside. The traction is specifically made for hardwood. Using it on any other surface can quickly break down the rubber grooves and cause you to slip.

3. Fixing Grip in Game

Sometimes you’ll find your traction steadily breaking down in the middle of the game. If that occurs, you want to moisten your soles right away to ensure you don’t lose your edge.

That can be done through either quickly wiping them down with a damp rag (which some teams or gyms may have on the sideline) or by wetting your shoe with saliva.

Rinsing your hand in a drinking fountain and then wiping it across the bottom of your shoe can help your footwear stick. However, if there’s no time for that maneuver, licking your hand and wiping it on the bottom of your shoe works just as well.

I know the idea of licking your hand mid-game is not the most appealing idea, but it does work. I’ve done it more times than I care to admit, and it always leads to better traction.

4. A More Permanent Fix

No matter how much you use the above methods, there will be times where your shoe grip wears down past the point of no return. If that happens, you can have your soles fixed by a shoe repair service.

Getting your old sole replaced can make your pair feel brand new. It may not be as easy as cleaning the sole or buying spray, but it’s typically much cheaper than going out and buying a new pair.

Of course, if the tread is worn through and shoe repair isn’t an option, the only way to fix the grip is going to be purchasing new shoes.

Final Words

Many people give up on their basketball shoes too quickly. The traction doesn’t feel right, or they find themselves slipping on the court, and they try a new pair. However, there are many easy methods you can utilize to keep your grip strong.

Make sure to try different methods and figure out which one works best for you. Some shoes respond better to cleaning, while others do well with general moisture of sticky pads.

What’s your favorite method for improving your grip? Do you have your own tricks? Let us know in the comments below!

How to Get Better Grip on Basketball Shoes 2019

How Do You Get Good Traction / Grip on Athletic Shoes for Basketball, Volleyball & All Sports on Indoor Courts?

Summary:
Google ‘how do you get better grip with basketball shoes,’ and you’ll find these common tips:

1. 1. 1. Keep shoe soles clean.*
      2. Keep court floors clean.
      3. Use a traction mat, gel mat, or grip lotion. *

* Countless articles online advise wiping your shoes with a damp towel throughout the game. Some may even recommend a gel mat or grip lotion for shoes. Don’t believe them! 

We’ll explain the problems with these common tips and why Slipp-Nott Sports Traction System is truly the best solution for instant and consistently superior shoe grip.

There’s a reason why more pro and college basketball teams rely on Slipp-Nott than any other product to boost performance and safety on the court. One step on the sticky mat instantly removes dirt from the soles of athletic footwear.

Traction solutions for shoes – basketball, volleyball, badminton, racquetball and, fencing

If you play any sport on an indoor court, you know how important good shoe grip is for making quick and safe stops and turns. But when shoes pick up dust and wax off smooth gym floors, that buildup causes soles to lose their ‘grippy-ness. ’ The result: Players can’t maneuver with precision, and the risk of injury due to slipping increases.

It’s no wonder that a question like ‘How do you get better grip with basketball shoes’ is often searched for online. Solutions range from simple hacks to products designed to improve traction on sports footwear.

In this post, we look at some common recommendations:

1. Keep shoe soles clean for better grip

Constant Wiping:  You’ve probably seen basketball players wipe the bottoms of their shoes with a damp towel…or lick their hands to wipe their shoes.

Why this is NOT the best solution:  While we completely agree that removing dirt buildup is the best way to improve traction, wiping shoes several times during a game is just plain tedious. In addition:

• • Using a towel can be hit or miss:
    • If you use too much water, your rubber soles become a wet slip hazard.
    • If the towel isn’t wet enough, it won’t do a good job of cleaning your soles.
    • If some areas of the sole’s surface are wetter than others, some areas may be cleaned while others may just get slick from all the water.
  • Wetting your towels will always yield inconsistent results because there is NO WAY to guarantee the material will have uniform water coverage.
  • Even if you could guarantee uniform coverage, it’s impossible to know exactly how much water is the right amount every time!
  • While you can (and many players still do) lick your hands to wipe the bottoms of your shoes, it’s unsightly. More importantly, though, this technique would work only if you have perfectly flat, large hands. Think about it: With your palms’ contours, it’s impossible to make contact with the entire surface of the sole.

2. Mop the court regularly to minimize dust

A clean floor definitely makes a big difference, but dry mopping can’t and won’t guarantee a clean court. Wet mopping is the best way to keep the floors clean, but that takes a dedicated maintenance staff which is both costly and time consuming. Dry mopping is helpful in “moving” the dust and dirt but it does not REMOVE the dirt. Dry mopping is really only good for drying liquid spills or absorbing perspiration after players fall.

3. Apply a grip gel/lotion on your soles

Of all the methods out there to get better basketball shoe grip, this is the worst choice! To illustrate why, take a look at how these products work:

1. 1. You have to sit down to apply the gel/lotion on one shoe and wait for it to dry. THEN, you repeat the process on the other shoe and must wait again for the gel to dry before you can even put your foot down on the floor.
   2. Grip is improved…but for only for a few minutes because the gel on your shoe ends up removing the dust on the floor – and soon you’re back to sliding. So, the product designed to improve traction actually does the opposite!
   3. To regain traction, you have to reapply the gel…but minutes later, you need to do it again! During a game, that’s a lot of reapplication – and you’ll have to wait for the gel to dry every time you reapply. When you’re in the middle of intense action on the court, do you really want to stop and go through this hassle every few minutes?
   4. Because the product is a magnet for dirt, each reapplication continues a vicious cycle of building layer upon layer of dirt and gel on your shoes. Eventually you’re left with a buildup of hard-packed gunk and slippery soles.

Do your shoes and yourself a favor. Avoid grip gels and lotions in all forms.

Ditch the two-bit hacks and…

4. Get a Slipp-Nott traction mat – instantly clean shoe soles

Do what the pros do. Get a Slipp-Nott. Used by more NBA and NCAA teams than any other brand, Slipp-Nott provides the best traction for basketball and all sports footwear designed for smooth, indoor floors.

Our sticky traction mat instantly and effectively grabs dirt off rubbery soles as you step on and off the adhesive surface. The result: Dirt-free soles with superior grip in less than 3 seconds.

Sometimes referred to as a ‘traction board’ or ‘sticky mat,’ a Slipp-Nott Traction Set consists of disposable adhesive sheets, secured on a sturdy base. Guaranteed for life, our bases are made with modified, high-impact, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Terpolymer (A.B.S) for durability. We then bond a ribbed, rubbery backing to the underside of the base to keep it from sliding and damaging floors.

Keep using the top sheet until all the adhesive is covered with dust and dirt. Then remove the top sheet of the mat to expose a new, clean sheet.

Traction sets include your choice of a mat with 30, 60 or 75 sheets. Additional replacement mats are sold separately:

When it comes to quality in sports traction, Slipp-Nott sets the standard

Slipp-Nott is the original traction mat for basketball, volleyball, badminton, fencing, handball, racquetball, or any sport played indoor on smooth floors. As the leading provider of sports traction for professional (NBA) and amateur (NCAA, High School and Middle School) athletes, we set the industry standard for quality and reliability, backed with a lifetime warranty.

There might be cheaper, low quality options out there, but if you want a traction base built to last, just do yourself and your team a favor and get a Slipp-Nott.

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5 shoe care tips from the pros

Why take care of your shoes? The answer is obvious: it will last longer and look great. Without special knowledge, it is often difficult to understand in a store how high-quality a pair the seller offers you. But shoe care is something you have complete control over.

1. Start from the beginning
Expensive shoes last longer, but require more attention. The sooner you start taking care of it properly, the longer it will last. Any leather shoes are very sensitive to moisture. Shoes made of smooth leather in most cases have already been waxed by the manufacturer, so they require virtually no care after purchase. If the shoes are made of suede or nubuck, you should immediately attend to water-repellent impregnation. If the sole is leather, we recommend oiling it or putting a prophylaxis. This will increase the resistance of the sole to wear and moisture. If you are not afraid of a few extravagant solutions, buy galoshes and use them in rainy weather or slush.

2. Do not wear the same pair for two consecutive days
This is a very old, time-tested way to extend the life of your shoes. The fact is that even in dry weather, shoes absorb moisture from the feet and get wet. Thus, by the evening, regardless of whether the shoes are leather or textile, they are most susceptible to deformation. Let it dry for at least a day at room temperature. Use wooden blocks. They absorb moisture and help to get rid of an unpleasant smell, besides, the lasts straighten the folds and return the shoes to their original shape. The most suitable material for pads is cedar.

3. Clean properly
How well you clean your shoes directly affects the life of your shoes. Smooth leather shoes require regular care. Shoe polish and waxing are not only used for aesthetic purposes. In addition to the noble shine, there are several points that manufacturers of cheap shoe cosmetics prefer to keep silent about.
A carefully selected set of fats contained in quality creams nourishes the skin, preventing it from drying out, and saturates it with color. Beeswax, which is the basis of any good wax, coats the skin in a thin layer, retaining moisture and creating a soft sheen. If you do not nourish the leather of your shoes with good products, after a short period of time it will begin to crack at the folds.

By the way, shoes made of suede or nubuck require more attention than shoes made of smooth leather. When caring for suede shoes, we strongly recommend using only the best brushes, suede cubes and not trying to wash them. If your pair of suede is very dirty, you need to give it to a specialized dry cleaner, where the shoes will not only be cleaned, but also saturated with color.

What not to do:
- use products containing silicone. They allow you to "clean" shoes in 15 seconds so that they shine. The effect is short term. A thin layer of silicone does not allow the skin to “breathe”, and since it is quite sticky, dust immediately adheres to it. Within half an hour, the shoes will become dirty again, and the process of proper cleaning will only become more complicated;
- do not wipe shoes with a damp cloth, do not wash shoes under water, do not wash shoes in a washing machine, even in a delicate mode;
- do not use greasy products when caring for shoes made of smooth leather. Fat penetrates into its structure, and it is almost impossible to remove it from there. This advice does not apply to shoes made from originally oiled leather, but there is a special tool for it;
- do not dry shoes mechanically: on a battery, under a battery, hair dryer or iron. The consequences are often irreversible.

4. Timely repair
When it's time to make a basic repair (put preventive maintenance or change the heels), do it immediately. If during cleaning you notice that the sole has already worn out quite a lot or the heel has gone astray, do not put off a visit to the repair shop. “I’ll wear it again and take it back” is a sure way to a more expensive repair. It is more practical to protect the leather soles of shoes with prevention immediately after purchase. Give your shoes only to trusted craftsmen who work with good materials. They will be able to choose the color of prevention (yes, it comes in different colors, not only black) and make it almost invisible. Prevention Topy or Vibram are the best on the market.

5. All is not lost
Let's reveal a secret: shoes can be restored. If you, reading this article, think that it would be nice for you to know about this earlier, if you have already managed to bring your shoes to the point where you feel sorry for throwing them out and are already ashamed to wear them, then all is not lost. Favorite comfortable sneakers, shoes that make you spread your shoulders, boots that are warm in winter, and slip-ons that are not hot in summer - they can all get a second life. Using paints and materials similar to those used by manufacturers, you can return shoes to almost their original appearance. The only request is to be extremely careful when doing it yourself, but rather entrust this process to professionals.

Tags: shoe care

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October 5 2 minutes.

Can't choose between basketball, football and hockey? Handball was invented for you

Handball

In this material we talk about the rules of the game of handball . We also have a text about what squash is.

Handball is a convenient mix for fans of team games, combining the rules of basketball, football and hockey. How they coexist, we will tell in our article.

The task of each team is to throw the maximum number of balls into the opponent's goal. You can play with your hands, head, body, knees and hips. The match lasts two halves of 30 minutes, with a break of 10 minutes.

With the ball in your hands, you can stand still for no more than three seconds and take no more than three steps. But if a player dribbles the ball, as in basketball, then you can move around the court as much as you like.

A handball team usually has 14 players, but if it is a major or international tournament, 16 team members are allowed. At the same time, there are seven people from each team on the field - six fieldmen and a goalkeeper.

Substitutions may be made during the game even without the permission of the timekeeper. But there are a few caveats here. A new player must enter the court only after the substitute has left, and they must only pass through the substitution line. If the rule is violated, then the player is sent off for two minutes, and the opponent is given the right to a free throw.

Everyone on the team has a role to play. The keeper protects the goal, the winger works on the flank, the point guard plays in the center of the field, the welterweight controls the zone between the central and wing players, and the lineman plays the role of a defender.

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Handball is played on a rectangular court 40 m long and 20 m wide, gates 2×3 meters. There are markings on the court, it shows the following lines: