There’s nothing quite like the rush of adrenaline you get from competing in a basketball game. Whether you’re playing in front of a packed arena or with just a few friends at the local court, the thrill of competition can be exhilarating. And competing at higher and higher levels means you can experience more of the benefits basketball has to offer—from traveling and being part of a competitive team to having the chance to inspire others including younger players.
Whether you’re playing basketball to compete or just as a fun, heart-pounding workout, using the right tools can help elevate your game to the next level. Here are some excellent gadgets that’ll improve your basketball game.
1. Smart Basketballs
Technology that helps improve athletic performance has made its way into many sports, from smart golf equipment and connected tennis gadgets to tech hardware for improving your running. Why should basketball be any different?
Smart basketballs are one such gadget. They look like regular balls, but they hide sensors that allow them to track movement and record various statistics and performance data while you play. Sensors can measure speed, distance, and arc of shots, as well as the number of rebounds, passes, and other actions that take place on the court. The Siq Basketball app even records metrics such as shot distance, spin rate, and release angle.
The data collected by a smart basketball can be sent to a smartphone or other device, where it can be analyzed and used to help you learn about your performance. Smart basketballs can be a useful training tool for players of all levels and even coaches and trainers as they work to identify areas for individual improvement.
Other examples, like the dribbleup Smart Basketball, are designed to be used off the court. Coupled with the companion app, this smart ball can lead you through hundreds of virtual training sessions that you can view on a smartphone, tablet, or TV by using Apple TV or Chromecast. Practice sessions let you build skills such as dribbling speed as well as exercises to help you improve your weak hand. After all, nobody wants to be the person who can only dribble with their dominant hand (that’s rookie stuff).
2. Spalding SmartShot
There are many bad habits that budding basketball players may develop, including not running back on defense. But as a player, some of the hardest-to-overcome habits relate to body mechanics. This is where the Spalding Smart Shot armband might come in handy.
The Smart Shot is designed to be worn around the forearm of whichever arm you shoot with (it works for both left and right-handed players). It comes equipped with multi-axis accelerometers that monitor your arm swing and both visual and audio sensors to tell you when your arm is out of alignment during a shot. The goal of using this device is to train you into perfect shooting form on every shot.
3. Nike Adapt Basketball Shoe
When the first iteration was released, the Nike Adapt smart basketball shoe was touted as “the future of footwear.” With this shoe, you no longer have to worry about laces coming undone mid-game (because let’s face it, that’s the worst).
Using something called Nike FitAdapt Technology, these bad boys will automatically adjust to fit your foot perfectly, ensuring maximum comfort and performance. When you first put them on, you can lace your shoes with the push of a button or by connecting to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
In addition, the shoes have a durable, lightweight design and feature responsive cushioning for improved performance on the court. And don’t worry about them falling apart after a few wears—these shoes are built to last (well, at least until the next latest and greatest model comes out). While these might not result in you becoming the next Kyrie Irving, they might at least make you the envy of all your opponents (and maybe even your friends).
4. Hoop Tracker Smartwatch
Are you tired of being a benchwarmer? The Hoop Tracker Smartwatch is here to save you (or at least help you look like you know what you’re doing). This handy wearable device is designed for basketball players of all skill levels and can track and record a variety of data points during a basketball game or practice session.
The watch provides real-time three-point, free throw, and field goal tracking, and you can sync the data on the Hoop Tracker website to see detailed reports on all of your shots, including where you were on the court and whether you made the basket. By quantifying your performance, you can develop strategies to become a stronger overall player.
5. ShotTracker System
The ShotTracker system consists of three pieces of tech: a smart basketball, player sensors, and anchors installed in the rafters of wherever you play. It’s the kind of system that competitive teams will want to use to improve each player’s performance as well as overall team performance.
The smart ball looks and feels just like any other ball you might use since ShotTracker embeds its smart ball technology into balls made by Spalding, Wilson, and Under Armor. Player sensors are smaller and lighter than a box of Tic Tacs and are worn by every member of a team. Meanwhile, the anchors installed in the rafters can simultaneously track the ball and players every second of every game.
By plugging all the collected data into the ShotTracker software, you can see everything from box scores to zone charts in real time. This lets coaches make decisions using live data—and players see their individual performance—while the game is being played.
Choose Your Tech to Improve on the Court
Whether you’re playing pickup basketball games with friends or competing at a higher level, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of sinking a shot or making a great pass. At the same time, being a competitive basketball player can be a physically and mentally demanding activity that requires a high level of skill, endurance, and teamwork.
That’s where practice and hard work come in, along with some cutting-edge technology. With these devices, you can train more efficiently by focusing on those aspects of your game that need work. By taking advantage of every tool at your disposal, you might just get closer to becoming the next Dr. J.
