I got excited when I first saw the title, thinking a high profile NBA strength coach was going to finally expose the silliness that is the modern sneaker. Unfortunately I was disappointed. Let us examine.
"These shoes had taken most of the support out of the sides and it was a lighter shoe. Most basketball shoes weigh between 1.4 and 1.7 pounds."
"These shoes were weighing 0.8 pounds, which was way too light as far as side support. Since we've banned the shoe, knock on wood, we haven't had any ankle sprains."
So. A difference of 9.6-14.4 OUNCES(ounces?) is substantial enough to provide 'support' to a world class athlete often weighing in excess of 200 POUNDS(not ounces) moving and changing direction in multiple planes at full speed? Does anyone really think a shoe 'supports' anything in that situation? If you do, take one of your shoes and bend and pull on the sides of it and take note of how little effort it takes. Not seeing the logic here.
Pistons actually fine members of the team who don't tape their ankles because it has shown to be so effective in preventing injury.
First: Please show me the scientific evidence that illustrates that taping ankles prevents injury; and which type of injury it supposedly prevents. Go ahead; I'll wait.
Second: Those of us in strength and conditioning who have bothered to invest in any continuing education are aware that the ankle is designed for MOBILITY - just as the knee is desinged for STABILITY - and so on in alternating fashion as you move upward through the body. Restricting the MOBILITY of the ankle by taping - and to some degree high-top sneakers - only places further pressure on the knee to become more MOBILE; the opposite of it's function. Anyone see the problem there? Think it may have something to do with the large increase in the dreaded 'high' ankle sprain, ACL injuries, and microfracture surgeries we see today? I do.
Bottom Line: If you train athletes properly with a joint-by-joint approach, they will posess the MOBILITY and STABILITY they require to help prevent injury.
Go barefoot as much as possible, training included. Single-leg training in multiple planes. Train the ankles, hips, and thoracic spine for MOBILITY. Train the knees, lumbar spine, and shoulders for STABILITY.
For further reading on the silliness of sneakers, check out Born to Run by Christopher McDougall.
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