“
Whether you play recreationally or professionally, wearing shoes that aren't specific to netball can compromise your grip, stability, and comfort during game play.
If you're new to netball or wondering whether you can wear your trusty running or training shoes on the court, you're not alone. Many players face the same question: Can I wear any shoes to play netball? While technically you can, the short answer is no, especially if you want to perform at your best and avoid risking an injury. Here’s why netball shoes matter and how they compare to other types of footwear.
Why Netball-Specific Shoes Are Essential for Injury Prevention and Performance
Netball is a fast-paced sport that involves quick direction changes, sharp pivots, sprints and sudden stops. Whether you play recreationally or professionally, wearing shoes that aren't specific to netball can compromise your grip, stability, and comfort during game play. Ultimately, incorrect footwear could lead to footwork instability, dragging feet, or severe injuries.
That’s why netball shoes are purpose-built for the unique demands of the sport. Investing in a good pair of netball shoes can be a game-changer. They can provide:
• Better grip on the court to prevent slipping during fast pivots and sudden stops.
• Support for lateral movements, reducing strain on the ankles and knees.
• Enhanced comfort and cushioning for long periods of play.
Features to Look for in Netball Shoes: Grip, Support, and Comfort
1. Grip and Traction for Netball Shoes
Netball requires rapid lateral shifts and quick stops, making grip essential in shoes. Netball shoes feature a tread pattern optimised for side-to-side shifts, ensuring maximum traction and durability on both indoor and outdoor courts.
2. Why Ankle Support in Netball Shoes Is Crucial
While netball doesn’t involve as much vertical jumping as say basketball, players still experience a lot of foot pressure from all the on-court movement. Netball shoes provide the ideal balance of ankle support and flexibility. They typically have a low- to mid-cut design, offering stability without restricting movement, which is crucial for pivots and directional changes.
3. How Shock Absorption in Netball Shoes Helps Prevent Injury
Netball players are constantly making dynamic, high-impact movements. Netball shoes are designed with cushioning to absorb shock from quick stops, reducing stress on joints and helping to prevent injuries.
How Other Types of Shoes Compare
Running Shoes: Not Made for Lateral Movement
Running shoes are designed for forward motion, with soles built for a smooth, straight stride. They pride their self on their cushioning, especially in the heel, to absorb impact during long-distance running. However, they don’t provide the lateral support needed for netball. If you try to pivot or stop suddenly in running shoes, you might slip or suffer an injury like an ankle roll or worse, due to the lack of grip and stability.
Training Shoes: A Middle Ground, But Not Ideal
raining shoes offer a balance between running and court-specific shoes, typically designed for various activities like aerobics, gym workouts, and some sports. While some can support lateral movements, they aren't as specialised as netball shoes. Training shoes often feature a more neutral sole design, which isn’t optimised for the sharp direction changes in netball. They may also lack the ankle support and grip that netball shoes provide.
Basketball Shoes: A Strong Alternative
It might come as no surprise that basketball shoes are a great alternative for netball. It’s due to their excellent support, grip, and stability – features essential for the fast-paced, high-impact movements of netball. Designed for court play and lateral movements, basketball shoes provide strong ankle support, which helps prevent injuries from sudden directional changes and jumps, common in both sports. The thick, cushioned soles also absorb shock, ensuring comfort during long matches.
In fact, many elite Super Netball players choose to wear basketball shoes over netball-specific ones. However, it’s worth noting that while basketball shoes perform well on hardwood courts, they may wear out more quickly on outdoor asphalt compared to traditional netball shoes.
How Do You Choose Netball Shoes?
When selecting a netball shoe, it's essential to consider the specific needs of the player. For example, circle players often need extra ankle support due to frequent sharp direction changes. A lightweight design is also crucial for maintaining comfort throughout the game.
Additionally, many netball players appreciate shoes that not only perform well but also look stylish. Choosing shoes with a great colour selection that are worn by role models in the sport can make players feel more confident on the court.
Bottom line: The right footwear is crucial in netball. Wearing running or training shoes might get you through a game, but they won’t support the demands of the sport as well as netball-specific shoes. Next time you step onto the court, think twice about your footwear. Investing in a high-quality pair of netball shoes might just be the upgrade your game needs!
Ready to shop?
Check out our entire range of netball shoes online, or head in-store to speak to one of our friendly rebel staff to find the right fit and shoe for you.
Want to know what else you need for netball? We've put together a checklist including essential training gear to help.