How to Tie Basketball Shoes

Lacing up your basketball shoes correctly is very important. The lacings of the shoe hold the shoe in place so that you get the optimum support from the footwear. Improper lacing can lead to: blisters, turned ankles, and even arch injuries.

Many people believe that there is one way to lace a basketball show. The truth is that there are actually 5 or more different lacing techniques. The different lacing techniques create a more comfortable fit according to the type of foot you have.

How To Tie Basketball Shoes According To Your Feet

1. The Butterfly Stitch

The Butterfly Stitch
  • This lacing style is perfect for people who have feet that are wider at the toe and narrow at the back. It is often referred to as the Butterfly lace, the butterfly loop, or the lacing lock.
  • Women ball players often find that this lace style will help them have a better shoe fit.
  • To create this lace you will use the standard cross method of shoe lacing until you reach the next to the last eyelet on the shoe. At the next to the last eyelet thread the shoe lace through the top of the eyelet, and make a small loop on each side of eyelet.
  • Next you thread the other shoelace through those loops and pull the shoelace taut.
  • This lacing style creates a tight ankle collar so the shoe stays snuggly in place. Once the laces are pulled taut you tie the laces in the standard manner.

2. The Double Lace

The Double Lace
  • This lace style is often used by women, and by people who have feet that are wider at the front than they are at the heel.
  • To create this lace you will need 2 sets of laces, short laces will work perfectly.
  • You use one set of laces to lace the bottom portion of the shoe eyelets, and then the other set of short laces are used to create a lace for the upper section of the shoe.
  • The standard cross method of lacing is used on both the lower and the upper section.
  • You leave the lower section of laces looser when you tie them so that your foot width is comfortably accommodated. On the upper section you pull the laces taut so that your ankle collar fits snug.

3. The Skip Lace

The Skip Lace
  • This lace style is excellent for aiding in foot pain that occurs at the top of the foot.
  • Using the standard cross method of shoe lacing, lace the shoes to the third eyelet from the beginning.
  • For the next 2 eyelets move the shoelaces straight up and through the eyelets without crossing them.
  • Now you are at the fifth eyelet, and you resume the standard cross method of lacing.

4. The Splay Lace

The Splay Lace
  • This is the perfect lacing technique for individuals with high foot arches.
  • Divide the lace into equal length segments.
  • Start at the bottom and place one end in an eyelet and then go straight across the shoe to the other eyelet. This allows the lace to create a straight bar across the shoe.
  • Now use the other lace segment and create a bar on the eyelet just above the one last used.
  • Then you move the lace straight up to the next eyelet without crossing the shoe.
  • Move that lace to the next eyelet without crossing over the shoe.
  • Now continue to create the bars alternating with one lace, then with the other lace segment.
  • When you reach the end, simply tie as you normally would tie your shoes.

5. Lacing for problem spots

Lacing for problem spots
  • If you have hammer toes, or similar foot problems, this method of lacing may relieve the pressure from those areas of your foot.
  • Take two thirds of the lace length in one hand and one third in the other.
  • Use the longest portion of the lace and create a bar lace, after the bar is created you want to move across the shoe diagonally, but you want to thread the lace so that it lies beneath the bar you just established, and is still resting on top of the tongue.
  • Repeat this system until yo reach the top of the shoe.
  • Tie your shoes as you normally would.
How to Tie Basketball Shoes

Frequently Asked Questions

How tight should I tie my basketball shoes?

Your shoes should be laced tight enough that they feel snug against your foot. They should not allow your heel to move up and down when you are walking, running or jumping.

How do you tie basketball shoes without the laces showing?

Tie the shoes normally and tuck the laces under the tongue of the shoe to hide them from view. You should always tie a double knot in the lace to prevent them from coming untied.

What is the best way to lace basketball shoes?

Traditional lacing is the best way to lace a shoe. You should cross one lace over the other until you reach the top of the shoe and then you should tie a double knot in the laces to stop them from coming untied.

Closing Thoughts

Sometimes we think that if we had the most expensive pair of basketball shoes that we would have less foot pain, and the shoes would stay on our feet better. Usually we simply need to learn to adjust to the shoe that we are wearing.

The methods you use to address the problem of how to lace basketball shoes will be dependent on your feet, the style of game you play, and the shoe you are wearing.

By trying different lacing styles and techniques you will be able to discover a way to make your shoes fit better, and have less foot pain.