So you just bought a brand new pair of basketball shoes, and you laced them up and went straight to the court to play a few games. However, when you got back home you noticed your feet and ankles were sore and you had a few blisters on your feet.
These are all problems from having your basketball shoes improperly laced. Knowing exactly how and why you should lace your shoes properly for basketball can ensure you are playing at your peak performance, and also stave off injury.
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First Things First
When you are looking for the best way to tie your basketball shoes, there are a few things to consider:
Are you playing in a sanctioned game or a pick-up game?
Does the way your shoes look matter to you?
Do you have wide feet?
These are all things that will matter in the final decision on how to tie your shoes and should be considered. While the first method on our list below will work for any of these situations, the other methods should be considered as well.
Trial and error to see how your feet react to different lacing and tying are paramount. Every person has a different preference for how their shoes should feel, so we suggest experimenting to find exactly what works for you.
Method #1 – The Old School
If you are looking for a good all-around way to tie your shoes, this is simple and decently effective. Your mom probably showed you how to tie your shoes this way when you were a little kid, and there is a good chance you still tie at least some of your sneakers this way today.
All you need to do is lace them in the normal crisscross pattern all the way to the top of the shoe. If you are wearing high tops, make sure you go all the way up to the top of the shoe, providing that extra ankle support.
This method works great for quick pickup games at your local park, or when playing with your friends. It could be used in a proper game situation, but there are better options.
Most people know how to lace and tie this knot, but if you don’t, this video will teach you how:
Method #2 – The Sasquatch
If you have extremely wide and large feet, this is the method for you. You will lace them exactly the same as the old school, starting at the bottom eyelets. The difference here is you will skip the next set of eyelets, giving you more room in the shoes for your larger feet.
You will still need to tie them as tight as you can comfortably, but this should provide an easier fit for your wider than average feet. Don’t forget to go to the top of your high tops. Don’t skip any sections on the high top upper, as you don’t want to run the risk of a sprained ankle.
Check out this video to see this lacing technique in action:
Method #3 – The Competitor
The last method is for those of you who play basketball competitively. This means at a high level, be it a church league, high school, college, or even professionally.
You will want to tie them as you did in Method #1, starting at the bottom and lacing up in a crisscross pattern. However, once you reach the top of your high top sneakers, you will want to lace the very top eyelet reverse (lace from outside to inside) and leave it loose. It should look like you have two bunny ears, one on each side.
After that, you will want to finish normally, except taking the criss crossed laces at the end through the bunny ears and pulling tight before tying. This will give you the absolute most support and protection against injuries.
To get a better understanding of this method, check out this video:
Tips and Tricks
Making sure the bottom of your shoes stay clean and clear of any debris is just as important as lacing and tying them properly. So after you leave the gym and head home, make sure you take the time to scrub the bottom with soap and water to keep your soles nice and clean to prevent injury.
The last tip we have for you is to always double knot your shoes. This will ensure that they don’t come loose and cause a tripping hazard. The knot is what holds the entire shoe firmly against your foot, giving you the most stability. Given its importance, make sure it is as strong as possible with a double.
Final Words
Don’t go into a game with your shoes laced halfway and tied loosely. You are just asking for a twisted ankle or worse. Take the time out to tie your shoes correctly and keep your feet and ankles in the best shape they can be.
Do you have a specific way you tie your basketball shoes? Let us know in the comments below!
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