Helena Frye
In 2010, the NBA banned Athletic Propulsion Labs' APL Concept 1 basketball shoes, which featured a spring-loaded design that improved players' vertical leaps. The ban was due to the shoes providing an undue competitive advantage, with studies showing that the shoes increased vertical leap by up to 3.5 inches. This wasn't the first time the NBA had banned shoes—Nike's Air Jordan shoes were banned 25 years earlier due to their colourful appearance. However, the APL Concept 1 ban was a unique case, as it was the first time the NBA had banned a shoe for performance-enhancing reasons. Since the ban, APL has released additional styles of performance-boosting shoes, while other shoe companies have also faced scrutiny for creating shoes that provide an unfair advantage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Athletic Propulsion Labs (APL) |
| Shoe Model | Concept 1 |
| Year | 2010-2011 |
| Creators | Adam and Ryan Goldston |
| Reason for Ban | "Undue Competitive Advantage" |
| Technology Used | Load 'N Launch |
| Technology Description | Series of tightly wound springs to propel the wearer |
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What You'll Learn
The APL Concept 1 shoe
The NBA banned the APL Concept 1 shoe because it provided wearers with an "undue competitive advantage". The league rules state that "players may not wear any shoe during a game that creates an undue competitive advantage". The ban sparked a surge in sales for the shoe, with APL selling more shoes in the days following the ban than they had in the previous month.
While the ban on spring-loaded basketball shoes in the NBA may have been a setback for APL, it does not seem to have hindered their business. The company continues to create and sell basketball shoes, and their shoes are now attracting recreational players as well as serious basketball players. APL has also released other shoe models, such as the Concept X, which is available in various colours and sizes and can be found on eBay.
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The Load 'N Launch system
The Load 'N Launch device is embedded in the forefoot area of the midsole, providing a "'turbo-boost" to the muscle groups used in jumping. This device works in conjunction with a high-pressure Thermoplastic Urethane shank that extends through the arch of the foot. The shank helps stabilize the foot and efficiently transfers energy towards the forefoot, which is crucial for vertical leaping.
During the "Load" phase, the device and the high-rebound EVA midsole compress in unison as the athlete applies force to the front of the foot. This compression captures the maximum amount of energy. Then, during the "Launch" phase, the stored energy is released through the propulsion and liftoff stages, propelling the athlete higher during their jump.
The innovative Load 'N Launch technology caught the attention of the NBA, which ultimately led to the ban of APL Concept 1 shoes in 2010. The NBA deemed that the shoes provided an ""undue competitive advantage" to players, making it the only shoe ever banned by the league for performance-enhancing reasons.
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Competitive advantage
The NBA has strict rules regarding the type of shoes players can wear during a game. The league rules state that players may not wear any shoe that creates an "undue competitive advantage". This rule is in place to ensure fairness and maintain a level playing field for all players and teams.
In 2010, the NBA banned a specific brand of training shoes, the APL Concept 1, designed and manufactured by Athletic Propulsion Labs. The shoes featured a spring-based system called "Load N' Launch" technology, which was designed to increase the wearer's vertical leap. The creators of the shoe, brothers Adam and Ryan Goldston, claimed that the spring-based system could improve a player's vertical leap by up to 3.5 inches. The NBA, therefore, deemed that the shoes provided an unfair competitive advantage and banned them from being worn during games.
The ban on the APL Concept 1 shoes created a unique marketing opportunity for Athletic Propulsion Labs. The company leveraged the publicity gained from the NBA's intervention, plastering "'Banned' by the NBA" on its website and marketing materials. This strategy generated significant interest in the shoes, with the company selling nine months' worth of inventory in just three days. The ban also served as a form of legitimization, indirectly confirming that the shoes did, in fact, enhance jumping ability.
While the APL Concept 1 shoes may have provided a competitive advantage to wearers, the NBA's decision to ban them underscores the league's commitment to maintaining a fair and balanced competition. The rule against performance-enhancing footwear helps ensure that player skill, talent, and hard work are the primary factors contributing to success on the court, rather than external factors such as specialized equipment.
The APL Concept 1 shoes are not the only footwear to have been banned by the NBA. Notably, the league also banned Nike's Air Jordan shoes in the 1980s, although this ban was due to the shoes' colorful appearance, which violated the league's dress code, rather than any performance advantage they may have provided.
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Increase in vertical leap
The NBA has banned spring-loaded basketball shoes, which were designed to help players jump higher. The shoes, called APL Concept 1, were created by Athletic Propulsion Labs and featured a thermo-plastic urethane shank down the center of the shoe that absorbed shock and redistributed energy to the forefoot, providing a spring effect. While these shoes are banned for NBA players, there are still ways for players to improve their vertical leap and achieve the dream of dunking over their opponents.
Firstly, it is important to identify what type of jumper you are—a power jumper or a leaper. This will help determine the optimal biomechanics and type of strength training required. There are three basic types of strength: base strength, transitional power, and explosiveness or "reactive" power, each requiring different training methods.
Secondly, focus on maintaining speed when approaching a jump. Any deceleration will reduce momentum and the force needed for a powerful jump. Instead, aim to reach your Maximum Controlled Velocity (MCV)—the fastest speed you can run while maintaining control—just before you leap. This technique is used by track and field athletes and can significantly improve jumping ability.
Additionally, there are specific exercises and drills that can help increase vertical leap. For example, the "ankle rocker" technique has been known to show quick results. It is important to note that not everyone will be able to achieve a 40-inch vertical leap, and dramatic results may not be seen in a short period. However, with consistent practice and the right techniques, improvements in vertical leap can be achieved.
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Sales boost post-ban
The NBA ban on spring-loaded basketball shoes was a huge marketing coup for Athletic Propulsion Labs (APL), the company behind the Concept 1 shoe model. The $300 shoes, designed by Adam and Ryan Goldston, were banned by the NBA on October 19, 2010, because they gave players an "undue competitive advantage". The shoes were found to increase the vertical jump by as much as 3.5 inches.
The day the ban was announced, APL sold more shoes than they had in the previous month, and this trend continued for the rest of the week. The company sold out of size 13s, and many other sizes were close to selling out. In three days, APL sold nine months' worth of inventory. The ban generated a lot of publicity for APL, with hundreds of news outlets picking up the story. The company's website crashed for eight hours, and its name became one of the top search terms on Google.
The Goldston brothers had founded APL in 2009, shortly before their graduation from USC. They had focused on creating shoes that would help people jump higher, as they themselves were not the tallest or highest-jumping players on the basketball court. Their patented "Load N' Launch" technology featured a thermo-plastic urethane shank down the center of the shoe that absorbed shock and redistributed energy to the forefoot, acting like a diving board to propel the wearer upward.
Following the ban, APL adapted their technology for other markets. In 2014, they released a spring-loaded running shoe, the Windchill, and branched into women's footwear for the first time. APL has since released additional banned styles of its performance-boosting shoes, including the Superfuture and the Concept X, which features a new version of their spring-based technology.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the NBA has banned the use of basketball shoes with springs as they provide an "undue competitive advantage".
The APL Concept 1 basketball shoes, also known as "Load 'N Launch" shoes, were banned by the NBA.
The "Load 'N Launch" system uses a series of tightly wound springs to propel the wearer, increasing their vertical leap.
The NBA banned springs in basketball shoes because they provided an unfair competitive advantage to players who wore them, improving their vertical leap by up to 3.5 inches.
Yes, in addition to the APL Concept 1, the Nike Air Jordan shoes were banned by the NBA in the 1980s due to their colorful appearance, which broke the league's dress code.
