I'm getting back into rec basketball after a few years lazing off. One of the reasons I stopped was that I kept rolling my ankles, occasionally resulting in severe sprains. I'd appreciate any advice / experience on how to best protect them, i.e. high vs. low cut shoes, ankle braces etc. In terms of ankle braces, I've used those elastic ones before, but they're pretty useless. After some browsing, ASO ankle braces with plastic inserts seem quite popular...
Likely while trying to defend against crossovers, spin moves, stutter steps, and anyone with handles.
You're either wearing shoes with no base support, or weak ankle support (lose grip around ankle). Even tennis players without high-tops don't roll their ankles because the bottom both grip well and have a base that is does not have propensity to movement when stepping hard. If you're still unsure, buy ankle braces or tape up your ankle. You can still step on a crack or another person's foot with all that on and roll your ankle. I've had it happen many times.
Work on the James Harden "Allow-blow-by-then-poke-from-behind" move. (Not to be confused with the sex move of the same name.)
I assume you already do this, but can't hurt to check: you bought actual basketball shoes, right? You're not playing in running shoes or something?
Make sure your shoe has a good base. The majority of rolled ankles are due to a narrow base of shoe, at least in my case. Just don't take dumb precautions like ankle tape or anything like that. Ankle sprains happen and if there was a situation where an ankle sprain was inevitable and you stopped it through means like ankle tape then that force goes straight into your next joint; your knee.
I have dislocated my ankle twice playing basketball (the same injury RG3 did on the weekend, so I know a thing or two about ankle injuries. In my view,the best way to protect you ankle is a) wear high top shoes, laced tightly b) Strap your ankle using proper adhesive athletic tape. (google a tutorial for doing it properly) I tried various mechanical braces over the years, but never really felt like they did much, but maybe technology has moved on now. Good luck.
This would definitely be the best option. Or if you happen to have a friend who has had sports med training who can tape it up for you. If not, here's the next best thing: http://www.amazon.com/ASO-Ankle-Stabilizing-Orthosis-Black/dp/B000TGYI6C Been using it since I chipped a bone in my ankle (~7 years now) and it offers great protection.
Thanks guys. My sprains usually happen from landing / stepping on someone's foot. I've had several severe sprains this way, and it just sucks. Regarding shoes with a "good base" - does that mean the surface area of the sole that is in contact with the floor? Also I'm beginning to think bball shoes with air bubbles in the soles are worse in terms of preventing ankle injury? I'm leaning toward those ASO braces - would using them with the plastic inserts give better protection?
Stay away from the playing inside and don't even try for rebounds. Lots of injuries happen under the rim. If you're not that tall, you have an excuse to not play the post.
If you put about 10-15 of these around your ankle, I heard it helps with the pain Spoiler <a href="http://s1141.photobucket.com/user/felixanguiano/media/WP_20130607_049.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n595/felixanguiano/WP_20130607_049.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo WP_20130607_049.jpg"/></a> Interested in buying a few hundred? FTW ATW
