Sport specific shoes are designed with the unique requirements of your sport in mind and are an important way to protect yourself from injury and equip you to play to your potential. Regardless of sport it is important to seek the specific shoe that matches your sports demands. 

ASICS Netball shoes are designed specifically for the unique requirements of netball. Features are designed to enhance stability and maximise shock absorption. Equipping the athlete for the repeated jump and landing demands. Which is particularly important on harder surfaces.  Specific forefoot grooves promote efficient change of direction and agility. The shoes are also made with durability in mind, required for the repeat efforts made on court ensuring the shoe will last the netball season. 

Incorrect footwear may be one of a number of factors that lead to injuries that could otherwise be avoided. These include (but are not limited to) localised injuries to the feet, for e.g. foot pressure/blister injuries in addition to injuries further up the chain by indirectly loading these areas. Ensuring your specific foot posture fits your chosen shoe and taking the time to wear these shoes in over gradual increments are two ways risks can be reduced. 

As mentioned previously, a running shoe simply is not designed to deal with the sudden movements and change of directions seen in the game of netball. Wearing anything other than a netball shoe on the court could potentially contribute to injury due to lack of stability, grip and overall protection.

The most common injuries in Australian netballers are injuries to the lower limb, with the vast majority being injuries to ankles and knees. Rolling the ankle is a particularly common injury given the requirement to stop suddenly many times per game. Wearing a shoe without sufficient lateral stability is one factor that may contribute to these injuries. Foot and blister injuries are more common in congested tournament style play and while one of a number of factors, incorrect footwear may play a part in this. Being fitted correctly is also a critical factor to the shoe operating at its best for the athlete.

Netball shoes are designed to work with the unique requirements of the sport, such as multi-directional movement. Whereas running shoes are only designed to work in a straight-line motion.

Netball shoes offer enhanced and tailored features of:

• Premium stability features in both the insole and outsole enhance control in landing and change of direction.
• Shock absorption provided by GEL™ technology maximises protection from the repeated impact loading required.
• Forefoot grooves allows rapid change of direction enhancing the efficiency of agility required on court.

Enhanced efficiency when changing direction via forefoot flex groove technology.

Improved reactivity through Flytefoam midsole to promote “spring”.

Stability features enhance player’s confidence in landing on a sturdy base to then propel into the next movement.

Netball shoes are recommended for all levels and potentially even more important socially when there may not be the same level of physical preparation to offer protection against injury. Having a supportive yet responsive shoe designed to enhance stability and protect against injury just makes sense and will also improve the confidence with which you move on court. Designed for durability a netball shoe will also withstand the repeated change of direction and jumping and landing far better than a running shoe ensuring they last for longer.

Our players want to play in netball shoes for numerous reasons, with the common top two responses being:

1. More secure in dodging and feel less like sliding out the side of the shoe when changing direction
2. Don't rip through the soles like I do in runners, as netball shoes are more durable for netball.