Basketball is one of the world’s most popular sports and is played by millions of people, from professional players to those who play for fun and recreation. It’s a game of strategy, skill, and athleticism, and there are several things you can do to work on these skills or perform better in the sport.
You can wear gloves in basketball as long as they don’t give you an advantage over other players. Wearing gloves in basketball can provide a number of benefits for professional and recreational players, such as avoiding injury and helping to improve their skills on the court during training.
Before committing to wearing gloves in basketball, it’s important to learn about their usage and how they can benefit you. Below, I will discuss the benefits of wearing gloves in basketball, when you can wear gloves, and how they can help you improve your skills.
The Benefits of Wearing Gloves in Basketball
There are many benefits to wearing gloves during basketball — especially when training. Gloves can help improve grip and control, allowing players to make better passes and shots. They can also help protect the hands from blisters, cuts, and scrapes and reduce the risk of injury. Below, we will discuss some of the ways that gloves can benefit you during training.
Improved Grip and Control
When playing basketball, you want to ensure that you are properly equipped to help you improve your skill and performance. When players practice with basketball gloves, this can help them improve their grip, dribbling, and ball handling because it is difficult to control the ball with gloves.
You can see some suggestions on how to use gloves for basketball training in this YouTube video:
When practicing this way, basketball players need to work harder to work with the ball. Once they play their game without gloves, the skill of controlling the ball with gloves will remain.
Protection From Injury
Basketball needs constant practice, so being slowed down by injury is never good. If basketball players are injured, gloves can also be a great way to protect their hands while continuing to practice. If your hands are cold, cut, bruised, etc., practicing in gloves can allow you to take it easy while you are healing from these conditions.
You will likely find yourself diving for loose balls and taking hard contact from opposing players if you are an aggressive player. Wearing gloves can help to shield your hands from these impacts and keep them safe.
It may be worth it to work with your coach on routines that can allow you to experiment with gloves to build up your skill. They can devise a plan that will work best for the goals you want to achieve while keeping you on track with the team.
When Can You Wear Gloves in Basketball?
Most basketball players do not wear gloves outside of training because gloves don’t offer many in-game benefits. If you find a basketball player wearing gloves, it is likely due to their own personal style or how they have learned to play.
Regardless, gloves are not illegal to wear unless they give you a considerable advantage over other players.
If you choose to wear gloves during practice, don’t count on being able to use them during a game. Depending on the seriousness of your league (whether it’s a pick-up game at a recreation center or a full-fledged competition), some referees may make their own rules. It may be better to go along with these rules rather than risk a sour ref!
The rules may differ depending on the league, and the game officials can often approve or deny the use of gloves before each game. This is why it’s important to practice with and without your gloves, so you will be ready to have that choice made for you at any moment.
Typically, players who wear gloves during games will choose fingerless gloves as it still allows them to control the ball while keeping that padding. Fingerless gloves can also support the wrists and aid in catching the ball between passes. The cushioning of the glove can also help reduce the wear and tear on the players’ hands, allowing them to play longer and more intensely.
Conclusion
Wearing basketball gloves during training can help you improve your skill in several ways, from protecting your hands from blisters to improving your grip on the ball. With the added protection, you can practice with more intensity and focus on improving your skills.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if wearing gloves during a game is worth it, as it may negatively affect your grip or dexterity. Game officials have the final say on whether or not you can wear gloves during a game.