Basketball arm sleeves have become a popular accessory with players ranging from NBA stars to little kids in local youth leagues. Relatively new to the world of basketball, these muffs burst onto the scene in 2001, first worn by Allen Iverson. There are many reasons to wear basketball sleeves, such as to improve performance and reduce injuries. No matter what basketball skills you have, shooting sleeves are worth incorporating into your athletic wardrobe.
Temperature control
Whether you’re playing a jam game or a full team affair, basketball arm sleeves will help keep your arms warm while increasing your flexibility. This is most important during the warm-up, as this is the time when the muscles are at risk of injury if they are overstretched. Shooting sleeves not only help during warm-ups, as they’re made from high-performance fabrics that wick moisture away from your skin, they also regulate the temperature of your arm, keeping it at a more consistent temperature throughout the course of your game. . This prevents your arm muscles from getting cold too quickly, risking possible injury.
cover up tattoos
Many basketball players have tattoos, some of which are not suitable for a family setting. In these cases, a shooting sleeve is a great way to cover them up. The fabric and fit of basketball sleeves are designed for flexibility and movement, so they won’t reduce performance and can actually benefit the player. This is a simple solution that maintains the G rating of basketball.
confidence boosts
That feeling you get after getting a haircut or gifting a new pair of shoes always gives me a little confidence boost. The same goes for wearing basketball sleeves. Rocking a new sleeve in your favorite color, or one that has multiple colors or a great design may be all you need to give you the extra confidence to sink that sweater you’ve been working on.
improves the shape
Basketball arm sleeves help the elbow stay straight throughout the shooting motion. This improvement in form can be a big help to anyone who doesn’t have the best shot. The byproduct of improving your form will be noticeable when you see your shooting percentage increase. Using basketball sleeves that have compression will offer more support and shape correction than shooting sleeves that do not have compression.
Prevents and protects cuts
Basketball arm sleeves can help prevent trauma to the arm or protect any superficial injuries. These sleeves add a layer of performance fabric that won’t hinder your performance. In doing so, shooting sleeves give you a layer of protection from cuts or scrapes that you might not otherwise have while playing basketball. If you are in the process of healing a cut or scratch on your arm, a shooting sleeve can help protect the injury and will also help keep bandages in place.
Filling
Some shooter sleeves have flexible padding built into the elbow. This padding helps reduce the chance of injury if a fall or any physical contact occurs, as is common in basketball. No one wants to have an elbow injury when they could be out on the court.
Compression
Wearing compression basketball sleeves can benefit your health not only during the game but also after practice to speed recovery. Compression arm sleeves work by putting direct pressure on the arm. This squeezes the larger capillaries and blood vessels in the arm, increasing circulation to the limb. Improved blood flow means that more of the lactic acid generated during exercise is removed from the muscles, reducing soreness and speeding recovery. Compression shooting sleeves when worn for recovery also reduce the amount of inflammation-related muscle soreness by reducing the ability of fluid to accumulate in the tissues of the arm.
Style
There’s something to be said for the form-fitting nature of basketball shooting sleeves. They’re stylish, especially now that two-tone sleeves and sleeves with patterns and designs aren’t available. The wide range of colors and designs allows each player to express his individuality. While NBA stars like Dwayne Wade, Kobe Bryant, and Lebron James may wear shooting sleeves primarily to enhance performance, they surely must think they look good too.
Basketball arm sleeves are inexpensive and will benefit most basketball players. It is definitely worth a try if you are looking to improve your game and stay injury free. You can find them at many sporting goods stores or very easily online.