Basketball players have been shaving their legs for years to gain a competitive edge. The practice became popular in the NBA in the 1980s and has since spread to other levels of the sport. There are many benefits to shaving your legs, including increased speed and reduced friction. However, some players refuse to shave their legs, citing the time and effort required and the potential for skin infections.
Why Do Basketball Players Shave Their Legs?
There are a few reasons why basketball players shave their legs
Chafing:
Chafing can be a real pain, especially for athletes constantly on the move. The friction caused by all that movement can irritate the skin and cause chafing. Chafing is most commonly found on the inner thighs, underarms, and nipples. That is why basketball players shave their legs to prevent chafing.
Avoid Bacteria Collection:
Basketball players risk collecting bacteria on their legs because they often wear shorts that don’t cover their legs. This can lead to skin infections, so basketball players need to shave their legs. Shaving helps to remove bacteria and keep the skin clean. Showering after playing basketball is also important to remove any sweat and bacteria that may have collected on the skin.
To Prevent Dirt And Sweat From Accumulating:
Shaving their legs prevents dirt and sweat from accumulating on the skin. This helps them avoid infection and keeps their skin healthy. In addition, it allows them to control their body temperature during intense games better. Players who don’t shave their legs are often more susceptible to injury.
Improves Blood Circulation:
When you shave your legs, you are essentially exfoliating the skin. This helps to improve blood flow and circulation in the legs.
To Show Off Their Expensive Tattoos:
It allows players to show off their expensive tattoos. It also makes the legs look younger and can reduce the risk of ingrown hairs.
Products Basketball Players Use When Shaving Their Legs:
- Gillette Fusion Proglide With Flexball Technology Razor:
This razor is designed to contour to a man’s body and provide a close shave. The FlexBall technology allows the razor to move in any direction, making it easy to get around all the nooks and crannies on a man’s legs.
- Harry’S The Truman Set:
This set comes with everything a man needs for a close shave, including a Truman razor, three German-engineered blade cartridges, foaming shave gel, and a travel blade cover.
How Do Players Shave Their Legs For Basketball?
When shaving their legs, basketball players have to be extra careful. They have to ensure that they don’t cut themselves and that they don’t get razor burn. Here’s how they do it:
- They wet their legs with warm water. This helps to soften the hair and makes it easier to shave.
- Then, they apply a generous amount of shaving cream or gel. They make sure to cover all of the hair so that it’s easier to shave off.
- After that, they start shaving. They go slowly and carefully so that they don’t accidentally cut themselves.
- Once done, they rinse their legs with cold water to close up the pores and apply some lotion or oil to moisturize their skin.
Mistakes Basketball Players Make When Shaving Their Legs:
Shaving With A Dull Razor:
A dull razor is more likely to cause nicks and cuts. Instead, basketball players should use a sharp razor that will provide a close shave.
Not Using Enough Lather:
If you don’t use enough lather, your razor will tug at your hair instead of cutting it cleanly. This can lead to skin irritation. Use enough lather so your razor can glide smoothly over your skin.
Shaving Too Quickly:
Shaving too quickly can also lead to nicks and cuts. Take your time when shaving your legs so you can avoid any accidents.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, many professional basketball players do indeed shave their legs. This is likely for various reasons, including reducing friction, preventing injuries, and improving recovery. For the average person, there is no need to shave their legs unless they want to.
Clyde Jackson III is a basketball coach and the founder of GCBC Basketball, a basketball-related learning and informational website that focuses on helping young players develop their skills on and off the court. With over 15 years of coaching experience, Clyde has worked with players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to professionals.
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