How to Play Basketball With a Soft Cast on the Arm

Sports-related injuries are not always a deal-breaker for your athletic future. However, while injuries heal you may be required to wear a cast or sling. The decision to play or practice any sport while wearing a cast is not one that should be taken lightly. Even a minor injury can become a lifetime ailment if it is not properly monitored. Before considering playing, visit your doctor to get advice on the matter.

Things You'll Need

  • Sports tape
  • Plastic wrap
  • Towel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Be honest with your pain level. Soft casts are usually more for support than to set bones or tissue back in place, so the pain might be little or nonexistent. If you're wearing a soft cast and the pain has subsided to more of a nuisance than anything else, consider how comfortable you would be playing. If the pain is too much for you to handle, do not play until the pain has passed.

    • 2

      Dribble with your free hand only. You may have become accustomed to dribbling with both hands, or using one hand to block while dribbling with the other. With your arm in a soft cast, you are restricted to using only one hand instead of switching back and forth. Do not use the arm as a defensive block as this may cause further damage.

    • 3

      Practice gripping the ball with one hand. This might be one of the biggest challenges of playing basketball with one arm in the cast. Without the ability to tightly secure the ball with both hands when it is passed to you or during your attempts at the basket, you may have difficulty even putting the ball in play. Have a teammate practice bouncing or throwing the ball to you while you catch and grip with one hand. Resist the temptation to use your bad arm during these practices.

    • 4

      Try taping your arm to your torso. This may hinder your agility on the court, but it will help keep you from putting weight on your injured arm. It is important to not contort the position of your arm in the cast; simply press the cast to your body and tape it in place under or over your jersey. Secure your arm during practice to become familiar with the feel of the cast on your body.

    • 5

      Protect the cast from dirt or moisture. Wrapping your arm in plastic within the soft cast or taping the outside of the cast can be helpful at keeping dirt from penetrating to the injury. Throughout the game, dab your arm and cast with a towel to mop up excess sweat and moisture which could negatively effect the healing of your arm.