How to Play Basketball with Long Hair

Whether you’re a male or female with long hair, having your hair get in your face while playing a game of basketball is not only annoying, but can also be distracting and can limit your basketball performance.  However, while cutting your hair may not be the best option, thankfully, there are a plethora of options you can choose to remove your hair from your face while playing a game.

Below, we are going to review and discuss just how to play basketball with long hair.  Within this discussion, we’ll be providing you with helpful, practical, and easy steps to take to play better basketball with long hair and steps you can take to keep your long hair out of your face while you are playing a game.

Why Should You Keep Your Hair Out of Your Face While Playing Basketball?

While there is no rule or regulation stating that basketball or NBA players are unable to play in a game with long hair, doing so does come with some risks.  These risks come in many forms and include not only the risk of injury but also to basketball performance.

If you play basketball with long hair, you may end up accidentally injured by having an opposing player grab and pull your hair.  Similarly, with long hair, it may become tangled with another player, particularly as you both fight for a possession.

And even further, playing basketball with long hair can negatively affect your performance on the court.  While long hair doesn’t intrinsically affect your performance in the game, your long hair could sway back-and-forth and directly into your face and eyes.

While a simple movement back into place may suffice, you may find doing so impractical and difficult as you dribble, pass, go for a rebound, or take a shot.  For those reasons, it is important to ensure that your long hair is properly placed and tied behind your head while playing a game of basketball.

Utilize a Sports Headband

Perhaps the best option when it comes to playing basketball with long hair is to utilize a sports headband.  Sport headbands are popular with athletes around the world and for athletes both with and without long hair.  A sports headband can double as a means to remove excess sweat from your forehead while being able to keep your long hair behind your head and in place.

Personally, we are actually sporting a longer hair style at the moment and have been using the Nike Dry Wide Headband with Dri-Fit Technology.  The Nike Dry Wide Headband comes in a variety of different colors and styles and is wide enough to not only fit on most foreheads, but also to effectively push back your long hair and keep it in place as you play basketball.

However, for women specifically, Under Armour has introduced a new line of headbands, called Under Armour Mini Athletic Headbands.  Coming in a pack of six, these headbands are considerably thinner than traditional headbands and fit neatly atop an individual’s head.  Soft,  stretchy, and made of elastic material,  these headbands won’t hurt your forehead and will remain securely in place throughout the game.

Put Your Hair into a Ponytail

While ponytails are a popular choice amongst women, they can be adapted for both genders.  Ponytails are a great option when playing basketball and sports in general.  Opting to place your hair into a ponytail will ensure that your hair remains in place and is secured behind the back of your head.

To do a basic ponytail, begin by combing your hair behind your head.  Place a hair tie on your dominant wrist for later use.  With your dominant hand, gather your hair and make an L-shape.  Hook it around your hair at the back of your head, with your thumb at the bottom.

Use your other hand to gather your hand into your dominant hand.  Then, lift your hair up to the height you want it at.  With a brush, comb your hair until it lays smooth and flat. 

Then, hold the ponytail with your dominant hand. Use your free hand to pull the hair tie off your wrist and onto the ponytail. Pull the ponytail through the hair tie. Twist the hair tie and pull the ponytail through it once more. 

Utilize a Hair Clip

Similarly, you can also use a hair clip to keep your long hair secured and behind your head while playing a game of basketball.  While a more popular option for females, hair clips are becoming more popular with men and are an easy and convenient way to keep your long hair secured and in place.

Personally, we’ve used these hair clips and have found them perfect for keeping our long hair secured and out of our eyes.  Simple in design and style, these hair clips are also extremely subtle, allowing for you to wrap your hair behind your head without any fuss or obnoxious colors.

Metal Hair Bands

Perhaps our favorite option, a metal hair band is a unisex option that can be used while playing basketball or any other sport.  Again, subtle, and inconspicuous in design, these hair bands are not only chic but also stylish.  You will be able to “push” your hair to the back of your head easily and effortlessly.

With a metal hair band, you are better able to secure your hair to the back of your head due to the strength and force of the materials.  A really good, convenient, and rather cheap option, metal hair bands are both affordable and stylish.