By: Amber Sigler and C.J. Sandoval

 Low Tops are the lightest  Low Tops allow players to run faster  The light weight of the low tops makes jumping easier for the player

 Less ankle support  No ankle protection  Doesn’t have a good grip on the foot or ankle

 Supports your ankles unlike low tops  Allows you to run more faster than high tops  More freedom of movement  Not as heavy as high tops  Easier to jump in than high tops

 Great protection of the ankles  Cushions your foot and ankle to prevent injuries  They are very durable. (which basketball players need)

 The heaviest of all the styles  Less freedom for movement  Slows you down  Pulls you down when you jump

 Q: Do you think a certain type of shoe makes a player perform better? If so what type? A: No I do not believe a certain type of shoe makes a player perform better. That is unless there is a physical condition like weak ankles, that would make a difference.

 Q: What brand would recommend for a player?  A: There are many good brands out there but I believe the two brands that make the best shoes are Nike and Adidas. We wear Nike at Illinois Wesleyan.

 Q:Do you think a certain kind of shoes or a certain material in shoes can slow you down?  A: The heavier the shoe typically the slower you will be. Weight difference must be significant to make a real difference.

 Q:How can wearing the wrong size shoe effect your performance in the game?  A: You can get blisters if you wear the wrong size shoe which will limit your ability to cut and move.

 Q: Do you think it’s more important for a player to buy a pair of shoes that make them run faster and jump higher?  A: I don’t know if any basketball shoes specialize either running or jumping. I think the most important things in a shoe are comfort, weight, durability, and traction.

 The “spring” is in the forefoot of the shoe can make a player’s vertical jump 3 ½ inches higher off the ground.  The spring also makes it easier for players to change directions quickly.

 A toe off is the final stage of the running gait where the toes propel the runner forward as the foot is pushed off from the ground.  Some shoes put a fiber plate in the sole of the shoes so the toe off isn’t weak.  Most players prefer the shoes with the fiber plate

 Most players prefer to buy Derrick Rose shoes because of the lightweight and the good ankle grip.  Some sources believe that these shoes are capable of making a player perform better.

 Kobe Bryant has his own line of basketball shoes in the Nike brand.  A lot of players like his shoes because he’s a very popular player and people believe the shoes help with the speed of the player.

 Air Jordans are one of the most popular brands for basketball shoes.  Lots of players prefer these shoes because of the style and comfort.

 While working on this learn and teach we learned that a certain type of basketball shoe can’t affect a player’s performance. Every player is not at the same level. Some jump higher, run faster, and have more coordination. So, the type of shoe really wouldn’t make a difference for any player. Wearing the wrong size of shoe is the only way it can affect you in the game. Wearing shoes that aren’t comfortable can also make your performance bad. So as long as you choose a shoe with the right size and is comfortable, the shoes won’t affect you.