Basketball is a great form of exercise. But it's also a common cause of injury.
The <a href="[BASEDOMAIN]/healthinfo/bouncelink.aspx?shortcut=ortho" target="_blank">American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons</a> offers the following tips for avoiding basketball injuries: 
<ul>
 <li>Take time to warm up and stretch before you begin a game. </li>
 <li>Use shoes that fit snugly, offer support and have soles that prevent skidding. </li>
 <li>Wear knee and elbow pads. </li>
 <li>Use a mouth guard. </li>
 <li>Use safety glass or glass guards to protect prescription glasses. </li>
 <li>Take off any jewelry, and discard any gum. </li>
 <li>Keep the courts free of debris and other hazards. </li>
 <li>If outdoors, avoid playing in extreme weather. </li>
 <li>Make sure that the court boundaries are not too close to structures such as walls and bleachers and that goal posts and the walls behind them are padded. </li>
 <li>Know how to contact medical personnel in case of an emergency. </li>
</ul>
Reviewed 3/13/2024

Tips for avoiding basketball injuries

Following some safety rules can keep your games pain-free.