Basketball players need a good grip on their shoes to perform fast moves. Whether you are playing on an indoor or outdoor court, shoe friction is essential for performance. If you make basketball shoes grippy and have better traction, then a player can move quicker, but the question is can you increase the grip of basketball shoes? We’ll discuss easy and tested methods for to make basketball shoes more grippy if you’re troubled by slippery shoes that don’t let you stop and go and make quick cuts.
Table of Contents
Quick Steps To Make Basketball Shoes More Grippy
Cleaning Method
Dirt and dust on the floor cause many basketball shoes to lose their traction. If that layer is barely noticeable, shoes tend to slide on the hardwood. You can eliminate that layer with two different cleaning methods, and they will reliably give you more grip, no matter how much you play.
First, you can wipe your shoe’s bottom with a wet cloth. Just make sure to get into the grooves. You don’t need to scrub deep, but just enough to lift off the dirt particles.
The second method is that you can clean your soles with a stiff bristle brush and soapy water. While scrubbed down in this manner, I find it quite comparable to using a rag in terms of cleanliness, but it depends on the amount of dirt on your shoes and your personal preference.
The grooves of your shoe soles can be easily scuffed by stones if you play basketball on an outdoor court. Use a toothpick to remove any rocks stuck inside your shoes. Clean your basketball shoes for better grip with warm water and environmentally-friendly laundry detergent. Scrub lightly the soles of your basketball shoes with an old toothbrush or soft brush.
Don’t use the washing machine to clean your shoes because, in the washing machine, basketball shoes can change shape and color, so don’t try to wash them and always dry them at room temperature. Avoid a dryer or heater to dry shoes because rubber can change shape and color with heat.
You should avoid intense cleaning products like softeners or scented detergents since they can dry out your shoes and crack the soles. These products will leave a greasy residue even after cleaning, which is no more grippy at all.
Use Of Traction Mat
It is most common for gyms and basketball courts to use traction mats. The purpose of the mat is to collect dust and wax that the sole has grabbed from the hardwood floor. Additionally, it adds a little adhesiveness to the rubber sole Consequently, the shoe bottom gets clean within a few seconds and gives a better grip on basketball shoes for a while.
Cleanliness Of Floor Courts
The best way to keep the floors clean is to mop them wet, but that requires a dedicated staff that is both costly and time-consuming. Dry mopping makes a difference, but it won’t guarantee a clean court Wet mopping is the best way to keep the floors clean, but dry mopping does not remove dust or dirt. Dry mopping is only effective in drying liquid spills or absorbing perspiration after players fall.
Use of Gels/Lotion
In order to increase the tackiness of your shoe, grip lotion can be sprayed on. A quick spray will be more than enough. Do not wear your basketball shoes outside. The rubber grooves on the traction are designed specifically for hardwood surfaces. Use them on any other surface and you will slip more easily.
Wipe your Shoes For Better Grip
You should always have a dry and wet cloth in your bag when you are playing basketball. Because if the sole collects dirt between games, be sure to wipe it off.
Use Moisture
It’s not uncommon for your traction to gradually break down during a game. If that happens, you should moisten your soles to prevent losing your edge. You can either dampen your shoes with saliva or wipe them down with a damp rag (which some teams or gyms may facilitate). To make your footwear stick, rinse your hand in drinking water or wipe it across the bottom of your shoe. If that’s not possible, lick your hand and wipe it on the bottom of your shoe.
How to make my basketball shoes more grippy?
You can make basketball shoes more grippy by Cleaning your shoe sole and floor court, using a traction mat and gel or spray. Wiping your shoes sole during the game helps you to prevent losing your grip.
What should we do if we start losing grip in the middle of the game?
You should moisten the sole of your shoe either by using simple water or your saliva. Moistening your soles will help you to prevent losing your edges during the game.