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Thursday, April 1, 2021

Basketball: Mouthguards; Kids Hate Them. Do They Help? Plus Baker Drills, Zags, and Dance


Dental injuries are FIVE times higher for basketball players than football players. The article addresses:

1 Is the mouthguard effective for preventing or reducing traumatic incidents during sporting events? Which type of mouthguard is most effective? 

2 How can we fabricate properly fitted mouthguards? (custom molds)

3 Are mouthguards effective for concussions? (NO) 

4 Are there any side effects of mouthguards? (comfort/communication/breathing)

5 How can we promote mouthguard usage among athletes? 

The science is questioned. What do we know? It's complicated. "Custom-fitted mouthguards do not significantly affect rates of concussions or oral soft tissue injuries, but can significantly reduce the morbidity and expense resulting from dental injuries in men's Division I college basketball."

Custom-fitted mouthguards reduce complaints about difficulty breathing and communicating. 

Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) is the material of choice for custom mouthguards with a minimum thickness of 4 mm. 

Concussions. "Although most of previous studies did not indicate the effectiveness of mouthguards in reducing the incidence or severity of concussion, it is still better to advise players, particularly in collision sports, to wear a mouthguard as a safety measure in preventing dental injuries."

Exercise capacity. Studies showed that properly fitted mouthguards did not reduce ventilation (breathing) or maximal oxygen consumption, the best measure of aerobic fitness. 

Promotion of mouthguards falls on coaches, coaching organizations, and regulators

I wouldn't be able to choose based on this video.


The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association "HIGHLY RECOMMENDS mouth guards to be worn during practice and game situations in thesports of soccer and basketball.  The Sports Medicine Committee of the MIAA has reviewed the research and statistics and concludes that the use of mouth guards will prevent or greatly reduce the chance of the athletes suffering tooth damage or loss, jaw fractures, TMJ problems or damage to the lips, tongue and cheeks."

The Massachusetts Dental Society promotes the "Grin and Wear It" program with reduced rates for custom mouthguards

Lagniappe. "Every day is player development day." Stanford's Tara VanDerveer knows hoop and likes Ganon Baker Drills.



Lagniappe 2. Concise summary of The Four Agreements. Be IMPECCABLE with your word, don't make it PERSONAL, NO assumptions, ALWAYS do your best. The fourth is the one I fall back on the most. 

Lagniappe 3. From FastModel Sports NCAA plays


Gonzaga zone quick hitter that attacks the middle with a screen in a delayed secondary screening action.

Lagniappe 4. Cross-training for footwork? Pivots, foot fire, spins, balance, jumping...and core athleticism of coordination, agility, balance, endurance, and strength. 



How could offseason dance or in-season "light day" work improve footwork? 


"Imagination leads to innovation leading to differentiation." - Bill Russell