Basketball - preventing injury

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in Australia and is enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels. Basketball is a fast game with frequent and aggressive body contacts, so injuries can and do occur.

Common injuries

• Injuries to the lower body, mostly ankle sprains
• Injuries to the hand, fingers, head, face and teeth
• Knee injuries – females are at higher risk of knee injury than males
• Overuse injuries – are most common in higher level players due to the duration and intensity of play.

Preventing injury

• Be prepared
• Wear the right gear
• Check the environment is safe
• Know yourself and the sport.

Be prepared

• Attend training so your body is ready.
• Warm up and stretch before playing.
• Cool down and stretch after playing.

Wear the right gear

• Wear a mouthguard, preferably custom-fitted, at all times.
• Wear shoes designed for basketball.
• If you have a history of injury, speak to your doctor or physiotherapist about appropriate bracing or protective gear.

Check the environment is safe

• Remove hazards, such as stones and water, from the playing surface.
• Make sure backboards and baskets are of a high standard, securely mounted and well maintained.
• Ensure backboards, their supports and walls are padded.
• Make sure baskets and boundary lines are not too close to walls and fixtures.
• Ask a suitably qualified person, like a builder, to assess the safety of your installation if you install a ring at home.
• Do not fix a basketball ring or backboard to brickwork.

Know yourself and the sport

• Choose activities that are suited to your fitness level.
• Follow the rules and play fairly.
• Know and use the right techniques for passing, jumping, landing and shooting.
• Know how to use the equipment properly and safely.

Other safety tips

• Never hang or swing on a basketball ring.
• Drink water before, during and after play.
• Do not play in extreme heat or wet conditions. Where possible, games should be rescheduled.
• Coaches, players and parents should be aware of heat illness symptoms.
• Qualified first aid personnel, first aid kits, icepacks and a stretcher should be available at all times.
• Telephone access, to contact emergency services, is essential.

Respond promptly to injuries

• Remove injured or bleeding players from the court immediately.
• Seek prompt attention for injuries from qualified first aid personnel.
• Make sure you are fully rehabilitated before returning to play.
• Wear a brace for at least three months after serious joint injuries.

Where to get help

• Your doctor
• Sports physician
• Physiotherapist
• Australian Physiotherapy Association Tel. (03) 9092 0888
• Always call triple zero for an ambulance in an emergency Tel. 000
• Smartplay Tel. (03) 9674 8777

Things to remember

• Basketball is a contact sport that can result in injuries.
• The most common injuries are due to falls, contact, awkward landings, abrupt changes in direction and being hit by the ball.
• Using the right techniques and equipment for the sport can help prevent injury.