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The short, sharp stopping and starting. Side-stepping. The swift direction change… netball has it all. That’s why netball shoes are specifically made for multidirectional activities. These are the movements of the game.
- What do you look for in a netball shoe for your daughter?
- How does this differ from the support that a running shoe offers?
- Has your daughter ever played in a running shoe instead of a netball shoe? If so, what did you observe?
- From observing games as a mum/coach, what movements are specific to netball that you think require the support of a netball shoe?
- Why would you recommend parents purchase netball-specific shoes over standard running shoes?
As a mum and a coach, I look for shoes that give her good support and grip, so she can make side-to-side steps, stop starts, and jumps with ease. You can never underestimate how many times you jump and land in a game. It can take its toll if you don’t have the right support. Fortunately, netball shoes are made for the game. And that gives her the confidence to play hard without having to worry so much about getting injured.
A proper netball shoe should have good grip and ankle support, which is key for short, sharp side-step movements, jumps and landing, quick footwork, and swift direction change. Running shoes are made for straight-line, repetitious movements. So, they are two totally different animals, really.
My daughter has never played netball in a running shoe. It’s just not worth the risk. Unfortunately, I have witnessed other kids getting ankle and knee injuries while wearing running shoes on the court, rather than proper netball shoes. For netball, it all comes down to the proper grip and support. If you don’t have those, you’re going to slip on court, which could lead to injuries.
The running. The jumping. The landing. The short, sharp stopping and starting. Side-stepping. The swift direction change… netball has it all. That’s why netball shoes are specifically made for multidirectional activities. These are the movements of the game. And you need the support and stability of a netball shoe to help avoid injury and give you confidence to play at your best.
When you’re playing netball, you want to be agile, not flat-footed. Netball shoes help keep you on the balls of your feet, so you can react faster with greater support. This is so important when your kids are young and still growing, because you want to avoid injury at all costs.