[QUOTE]Originally posted by Troward

Quote:

I checked out http://www.activeankle.com/ and those things look awfully difficult to wear compared to traditional ankle braces/wraps. Are they that much better? do you notice it, when you are wearing them? -thanks

When my son tore up his ankle last season, we purchased these for both his ankles....... he had to wear them to play or Dad so he can't play.

He did complain about them being less comfortable where the plate crosses under the sole of the foot. We had his taped by the trainer before each game to make them more comfortable.

I also talked to the coach of the Girls varsity and their trainer..... they buy them for each player and insist they wear them for every game, practice and workout.

All I know is this.
I was playing "rec" ball one day last summer.
I was leaving that afternoon for a WNBA game.
I went up a couple of times for a rebound and on the third jump, "TWIST!" Luckily, it wasn't too bad and I didn't lose
the game or THE REST OF MY SCHEDULE!
It doesn't matter if you play with people you know, you can't control certain aspects.
If you have any kind of schedule you want to KEEP,
stick to other kinds of exercise. JMHO

They are a little awkward to put on at first and feel really uncomfortable at first. After 2-3 times of wearing them, you get used to them. They don't exactly disappear, but they are certainly tolerable. Just do NOT put them on backwards, they hurt!!! At my playing ability, they don't have any affect on my game.

For some "pros" it may hamper their lateral cuts some. For protection, you can't beat them. They prevent most sprains completely. For the ones they don't prevent, they limit the severity.

I've also worn them while reffing after I sprained an ankle by stepping on a foot along the sideline while I was running from trail ot lead. They made no difference there other than the protection and extra stability.

At one point in the past, my ankles were so unstable (from previous unprotected sprains) that I had to be careful walking across a field. If I stepped on a small lump unevenly, my ankle would often give and I would fall to the ground. With continued exercise, I've strengthened them where that is not a problem anymore. But, I still wear the braces whenever I play to avoid going through that again.

While you should stay off a sprain until the swelling is gone, they let you return to activity sooner without the risk of reinjury from weakened ankles.

LOL!!!

My problem is that the guys I play pick-up with always look to me to make a call on a close play or they need a rules interpretation. I don't mind if it's a game I am watching, but while playing, it's a pain.

Refneck-
When you play you are a player, I used to get the same thing....After telling them that I am playing not reffing they got the hint. JMO!

AK ref SE

I play and officiate softball, volleyball, and basketball. I find it hard to do both in the same season without my husband putting out an APB on me.

There is only so much time in a week. The way I look at it, I only have so many more years of playing left in me, and I want to take advantage of every last one of them (I'll be 31 in a few weeks).

Diana

Found this interesting little quote: "We don't stop playing because we get old. We get old because we stop playing." Satchel Paige.

I'm not sure I agree but it's interesting.

Change "playing" to "having fun" and I'm with him all the way. I don't play, but I have a whole lot of fun on the court.

Chuck

Still Hammering Away
 

I am 46 years old and still play pick up basketball at the Club I belong to. Hmmmmmm, after hearing all of these 30 somethings quiting I feel pretty good. :)
I must admit though that I did miss a District Game 2 years ago because of a back injury sustained during one of those pick up games.
Dislocated fingers, sprained ankles, and stitches around the eye have also been sustained because of this lovely game we enjoy so much.
This last year I thought I might get the privledge of doing the State tourney, which fortunately I did, so as many of you stated you do I quit playing during the season....there was no way I wanted to miss that oportunity!!
If I may offer one suggestion I heard long ago:

Do not officiate basketball to "get in shape"...
Get in shape to officaite basketball.

DI

[Edited by DanIvey on Oct 23rd, 2002 at 06:00 PM]