Name: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Kids (9-12 years)
Start: 2024-04-22T16:30:00+12:00
End: 2024-04-22T17:30:00+12:00
Location: The Waiheke Recreation Centre

Are you the type of person that just ‘chucks on’ any old tee-shirt, shorts and pair of sneakers? Or are you the kind of person who thinks long and hard about exactly what to wear, when playing indoor sport?

While there is not really any “right” or “wrong” fashion sense when playing social sports, there could be some benefit in giving what you wear a bit of thought, from a technical point of view. Can choosing specialised clothing and footwear give you an advantage?

The ‘best’ footwear or clothing for indoor sports does depends on the specific sport being played and of course, the individual’s preference and needs. Have a read below as we look at some key factors to consider when choosing shoes or clothing for different indoor sports – all of which are practised at the Waiheke Rec Centre by the way (have a look at our diary).

Shoes

Badminton:

Lightweight and flexible: Badminton requires quick movements and agility, so a lightweight and flexible shoe is important to allow for these movements without feeling weighed down.
Good grip: A shoe with a good grip will provide better traction on the court and help prevent slipping.
Support: A shoe with good support, particularly around the ankle, will help prevent injury and provide stability during quick changes in direction.

Basketball:

High-top design: High-top shoes provide extra support to the ankle and can help prevent injury.
Good cushioning: Basketball involves a lot of jumping and landing, so a shoe with good cushioning is important to absorb impact and reduce the risk of injury.
Good grip: A shoe with a good grip will provide better traction on the court and help prevent slipping.

Netball:

Good support: Netball requires quick movements and jumps, so a shoe with good support is important to prevent injury and provide stability.
Good grip: A shoe with a good grip will provide better traction on the court and help prevent slipping.
Good cushioning: Netball involves a lot of running, jumping, and landing, so a shoe with good cushioning is important to absorb impact and reduce the risk of injury.

Pickleball:

Good grip: A shoe with a good grip will provide better traction on the court and help prevent slipping.
Good cushioning: Pickleball involves a lot of running and jumping, so a shoe with good cushioning is important to absorb impact and reduce the risk of injury.
Lightweight and flexible: Pickleball requires quick movements, so a lightweight and flexible shoe is important to allow for these movements without feeling weighed down.

Futsal or Indoor Football:

Good grip: A shoe with a good grip will provide better traction on the court and help prevent slipping.
Good support: Futsal requires quick movements and agility, so a shoe with good support is important to prevent injury and provide stability.
Good cushioning: Futsal involves a lot of running and jumping, so a shoe with good cushioning is important to absorb impact and reduce the risk of injury.

In general, it’s important to choose a shoe specific to the sport that’s being played and to consider factors such as support, grip, and cushioning. It’s also a good idea to try on several different shoes and do some movements and exercises similar to those used in the sport to determine which shoe is the best fit for your individual needs.

Clothing

Once again, the best clothing for indoor sport varies depending on the specific sport and the individual’s preferences. There are some general considerations to keep in mind when choosing clothing for indoor sport however and here, we’ve listed a few;

Badminton:

Lightweight and breathable: Badminton requires quick movements and generates a lot of body heat, so it is important to wear clothing that is lightweight and breathable to allow for ventilation and prevent overheating.
Comfort: Clothing that is comfortable to move in, without restricting movements, is important for badminton as the sport requires quick and agile movements.
Moisture-wicking: Wearing clothing made from moisture-wicking materials will help keep you dry and comfortable during the game by drawing sweat away from the skin.

Basketball:

Loose-fitting: Basketball requires a lot of movement, so it is important to wear clothing that is loose-fitting to allow for freedom of movement.
Breathable: Basketball generates a lot of body heat, so it is important to wear clothing that is breathable to allow for ventilation and prevent overheating.
Durable: Basketball can be a physically demanding sport, so it is important to wear clothing that is durable and can withstand the demands of the game.

Netball:

Comfortable: Netball requires quick movements and agility, so it is important to wear clothing that is comfortable to move in without restricting movements.
Breathable: Netball generates a lot of body heat, so it is important to wear clothing that is breathable to allow for ventilation and prevent overheating.
Moisture-wicking: Wearing clothing made from moisture-wicking materials will help keep you dry and comfortable during the game by drawing sweat away from the skin.

Pickleball:

Lightweight and breathable: Pickleball requires quick movements and generates a lot of body heat, so it is important to wear clothing that is lightweight and breathable to allow for ventilation and prevent overheating.
Comfort: Clothing that is comfortable to move in, without restricting movements, is important for pickleball as the sport requires quick and agile movements.
Moisture-wicking: Wearing clothing made from moisture-wicking materials will help keep you dry and comfortable during the game by drawing sweat away from the skin.

Futsal:

Comfortable: Futsal requires quick movements and agility, so it is important to wear clothing that is comfortable to move in without restricting movements.
Breathable: Futsal generates a lot of body heat, so it is important to wear clothing that is breathable to allow for ventilation and prevent overheating.
Moisture-wicking: Wearing clothing made from moisture-wicking materials will help keep you dry and comfortable during the game by drawing sweat away from the skin.

Volleyball

For indoor volleyball, comfortable athletic clothing that allows for a full range of motion is recommended. A t-shirt or tank top and shorts or athletic pants are suitable. As for shoes, non-marking, court-specific volleyball shoes with good support and grip are recommended. Avoid wearing street shoes on the court as they can damage the surface and be slippery.

In conclusion

In general, clothing that’s comfortable, breathable, and moisture-wicking are best for indoor sports. Choosing the right footwear for indoor sports – particularly with our hard wooden floor – is important to help ensure you are provided stability and support to allow you to play well, but also to prevent injury. When considering which items to buy (or borrow!), think of the demands of the sport, your personal preference, and also think on the weather conditions (will it be hot or cold – of course the rain doesn’t matter!).

You might also want to have a spare change of clothes with you, for after the game. The Waiheke Recreation Centre does have free hot showers for the users of the centre.