Wearing the right netball trainers is crucial whatever your age or experience, Trainers should facilitate short, sharp movements and changes of direction; a key skill for any player.
They also need to have good shock absorption, as jumping for high passes or that vital interception can have a big impact on your feet. As an indoor and outdoor sport, many players look for all-weather shoes with excellent grip
Here's some points to check when looking for the right trainers,
1. Grip - We tend to see a lot of girls wearing running trainers, they may look great but have no place in netball, The grip on these tends to be all the same across the base of the trainer, as they are only designed for straightforward motion and this is no good, with netball there's a lot of pushing off on the balls of your feet, leaning on toes, sudden stopping etc, so the grip needs to be different for all the different movements.
2. Ankles - show me a netball player who hasn't gone over on their ankle even when wearing the right trainer is the same as saying its never going to rain in England! Difference is the player wearing the right trainers will have more support and reduce the damage and severity of their injury. Look for high ankle support to help maximise comfort and control.
3. Wearing the wrong trainers such as trainers designed for running or fashion ones, can increase muscle and joint soreness particularly in the knees, and ankles which may last for a few days but cause lasting problems.
You don't need to spend a fortune but check your trainers regularly , as soon as the grip is wearing out they need to be changed.
Brands who design trainers specifically for Netball include, Asics, Gilbert and Mizuno. Take a look at these websites for the best deals!
www.netballuk.co.uk
www.lovellnetball.co.uk
