7 Tips for Improving Your Basketball Shoe Grip
Basketball shoes that are old and flat on the bottom can have very little grip on the court. Playing basketball is a very difficult task when your feet are sliding around on the court, but there are steps you can take to improve your shoe grip. It is possible to tighten up your basketball shoe grip greatly with these tips.
1) Washing your shoes can improve your basketball shoe grip greatly. Overtime, dust and particles build-up on the soles of shoes, and fill in the texture on the sole. This reduces the friction the shoe is able to have on the court, losing your shoe grip.
Take a scrubby and some soapy water and go at it. Hold the sole facing down if you do not want any water getting into the inside of the shoe. Scrub the bottom sufficiently with the soap, and then let the shoes air dry. The next time on the court, you will notice improved basketball shoe grip to help you maneuver.
2) Don't use aftermarket basketball shoe grip enhancers. These are often liquids or gels you rub on the sole to make them more sticky. While at first it sounds like a good idea, once you get on the court, it doesn't work as planned.
The sticky shoes pick up every piece of dust you step on. Soon your basketball shoes will be a collection of dirt, providing a slick surface for you to slip on the court with.
If you still want to try it for yourself, cheaper alternatives to the expensive shoe grip products include pop or hair spray.
3) Convince your coach or school to invest in sticky mats instead. Most big games already use these. They are mats which have several layers of sticky sheets on which you step on to clean the bottom of your shoe. Peel off a new layer before every game to have a great shoe cleaner before you step onto the court. These are very necessary for you to have perfect basketball shoe grip before you play.
4) Of course the main cause of slippery courts is the dust which accumulates on the floor. Ask a janitor or coach to sweep the floors before games, or take it upon yourself, so that shoes have the best chance at grip. Simply sweeping the floors yourself before a game can improve your's and everyone else's basketball shoe grip tremendously. While it may not be a fun job, it is very rewarding on the court later.
5) A temporary solution to improving your basketball shoe grip is to wipe your shoes with your hand before each play. Adding saliva to your soles can give you the extra boost of shoe grip you need before the big play. It isn't very fun or hygienic, but it does temporarily help you with shoe grip when you need it.
6) If all the above tips still haven't helped you, a final, last ditch effort is to scar the soles with a knife. If your soles are flat and smooth, the obvious solution would be to add texture. Take a knife, and run slices across the shoe's sole to add texture. Make sure the cuts are deep enough to provide friction.
Be careful not to have the knife slip off of the shoe and stab yourself. I recommend setting the shoe on a surface in front of you rather than in your lap or hand.
If the rubber on the shoe is dried out, chances are this tip will not help much. Instead, I recommend the following tip.
7) By far, the easiest way to get more basketball shoe grip is to go out and purchase a new pair of basketball shoes. If you are just looking to get by until next season, you can find quality shoes for as cheap as $20 at sports stores. New shoes come with fresh rubber on the soles, and have much better shoe grip than an old pair could ever have. Safe yourself the time and effort of reviving an old pair, and just purchase some new shoes.
Hands are the most visible parts of you, but they also take a lot of abuse. You use them in everyday activity, and yet, they are the ultimate accessory. You must give them the same attention you give your face. 
