OT- HS Girl's BB Question

[Striper69]

I notice that on many of the girl's HS BB games I video that players are wiping their hands on the soles of their shoes when someone shoots a foul shot.

Where does that come from and where did it start? Also- what is the purpose supposed to be for doing this?

 

[TitleTown]

I notice that on many of the girl's HS BB games I video that players are wiping their hands on the soles of their shoes when someone shoots a foul shot.

Where does that come from and where did it start? Also- what is the purpose supposed to be for doing this?

They are wiping the dust off from the soles of their sneakers so they have better grip when cutting. Usually one will lick their hand before doing so in order to remove the very fine dust that builds up on the hardwood floors. As for where this started, I have no idea. I can remember dong it when I first started playing for my church league team back in the early 90's.

 

[DaddyChoc]

and I think its nerves as well... but mostly traction

some are just following Lebron and Curry

 

[ochoopsfan]

I never understood why they do this. Isnt the dust just getting on their hands making it difficult to control the ball?

 

[Charliebball]

it's for better traction and the dust takes away some of the moisture on their hands to get a batter grip on the ball............many teams now use sticky mats located by the scorers table to help get better traction on the very slick court surface......

 

[SVCBeercats]

I notice that on many of the girl's HS BB games I video that players are wiping their hands on the soles of their shoes when someone shoots a foul shot. Where does that come from and where did it start? Also- what is the purpose supposed to be for doing this?

 

[meyers7]

They are wiping the dust off from the soles of their sneakers so they have better grip when cutting. Usually one will lick their hand before doing so in order to remove the very fine dust that builds up on the hardwood floors. As for where this started, I have no idea. I can remember dong it when I first started playing for my church league team back in the early 90's.

I used to do it for as long as I can remember.....70's. It's been around forever.

and I think its nerves as well..

And yea, it becomes a habit.

 

[Striper69]

I never did it and never saw anyone do it when I played (60s/70s). I don't want dirt/germs from the bottom of my shoes on my hands if I can help it. I'll probably be touching my nose or mouth sometime during the game before I hit the shower (especially during the winter when you might be having the sniffles). I wore the same shoes when I played outside the gym so that stuff was on the shoe already.

 

[Striper69]

and I think its nerves as well... but mostly traction

some are just following Lebron and Curry

Lebron and Curry probably have almost new shoes that they only use during games.

Yeah, it's probably one of those "Be like Mike" things for young players. I tried to be like Jerry West when I played.

 

[Striper69]

View attachment 27842

We have a girl who's a pretty good player but you can tell she gets flustered if she misses her first foul shot. Waves her hands in the air and kinda just throws the ball up on the next shot.

 

[JavaMan]

I never did it and never saw anyone do it when I played (60s/70s). I don't want dirt/germs from the bottom of my shoes on my hands if I can help it. I'll probably be touching my nose or mouth sometime during the game before I hit the shower...

So you never had to handle the BALL? Just say'n

​

 

[Striper69]

So you never had to handle the BALL? Just say'n

​

The ball's mainly only on the court.

 

[JavaMan]

The ball's mainly only on the court.

Umm... okay. But, during a game, if I ever had to lick the court of lick the ball, I'd choose the court every time.

​

 

[MSGRET]

They are wiping the dust off from the soles of their sneakers so they have better grip when cutting. Usually one will lick their hand before doing so in order to remove the very fine dust that builds up on the hardwood floors. As for where this started, I have no idea. I can remember dong it when I first started playing for my church league team back in the early 90's.

The first time I remember seeing it was when Larry Bird was playing for Indiana State. But it wasn't when he was shooting free throws, he would do it during time outs or if there was a stop in play.

 

[Phil]

As others have noted players have been doing this for years, but just a few games ago I noticed something I hadn't seen before. The team had something on the sidelines, a flat object a foot or so square with presumably a sticky surface. The players would walk on to the object and rubbed the feet to remove the dust.

I think it was UConn that had the device but I'm not sure.

 

[Phil]

If you want one:

Amazon product ASIN B075ZW5T5G
and if you scroll down you will see competitors and related products.

 

[cbraarj]

Like Charlie said it is a tacky mat that peels away the layers to refresh it. Been around awhile now.

 

[oldude]

All the years I played ball, I was never quick enough to worry about slipping while making a cut. It was more like turning around a battleship.

 

[cbraarj]

I never did it and never saw anyone do it when I played (60s/70s). I don't want dirt/germs from the bottom of my shoes on my hands if I can help it. I'll probably be touching my nose or mouth sometime during the game before I hit the shower (especially during the winter when you might be having the sniffles). I wore the same shoes when I played outside the gym so that stuff was on the shoe already.

Most players in high school on up only wore their sneakers on the court for practice and games. My teams always had more than 1 pair and usually had 2 new pairs half way through the season.

 

[bramos]

Most players in high school on up only wore their sneakers on the court for practice and games. My teams always had more than 1 pair and usually had 2 new pairs half way through the season.

The choice of shoes in my day (the 50s) were dependent on what was passed down. 4 stops before it got to me...black hi-top Keds..

 

[Striper69]

I was lucky to afford one pair of good shoes.