Playmakers Winter Sale 2017
Additional Training Information
1. Qualifying your customer
a. Questions to consider
b. Basic Gait Analysis
Foot Types
I. Oversupination
II. Neutral
III. Overpronation
C. Shoe Categories
a. By activity
b. By amount of medial arch
support
Determining a customer’s shoe
size
.
How to measure using a
Brannock
a. Size conversions
Key Points
Extra training videos are posted on our
website www.playmakers.com/training
Qualifying Your Customer……………………………….
Questions to Consider:
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What activities are you planning on doing in the shoe? (Running, walking, standing at work,
crossfit, etc.)
Have you had any injuries recently? (If yes, they might want to try a different support
category)
Do you have a specific shoe that has/hasn’t worked for you in the past?
Are you training for anything? (may need a little more support if they’re running for 2 miles vs
26 miles)
Gait Analysis
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Barefoot One Legged Stand
Barefoot Walk
Examine customer’s old shoe for wear pattern
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Wear mostly on the outside edge of the sole - the shoe may be too supportive
Wear mostly on the inside edge of the sole - they may benefit from more
medial support
Heel is worn off - they may benefit from learning about Good Form
Running/Walking
Determining a Customer’s Foot Type……………………….
Over-Supination
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Foot tends to roll to the outside, with little to no inward roll through gait.
Most of the pressure is on the lateral/outside
Foot isn’t able to absorb shock as well
= Cushioned/Neutral
Neutral
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Foot typically starts on outside of foot and rolls gently onto midfoot through toe-off
Foot is able to absorb shock more effectively and maintains proper alignment
= Cushioned/Neutral or Stability
Over-Pronation
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Foot typically starts on outside of foot and rolls too far inward over the arch
Can cause strain in foot/lower leg which can lead to injury
Foot may be flattened out or have little to no arch
= Stability or Motion Control
Bring out options! For example, if a customer falls in the stability category, offer them a
Brooks Adrenaline, Saucony Guide and an Asics 2000.
Other Considerations
Remember that there are many different factors to consider when fitting someone for a shoe. Not
only can we examine someone’s foot and mechanics but we should also be considering…

Age
Generally, an older customer may require more support or wider platform for
stability
Body Type
o Generally, a larger framed individual may require more support or a wider platform
for stability
Change in activity level
o Generally, a customer running an ultra-marathon (high mileage) may require more
support than a customer running 2 miles.
o
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Shoe Categories………………………………………………...
By Activity
Running/Walking Shoes
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Designed for forward motion
Can have a Leather or Mesh Upper
Can also be used for gym workouts, fitness classes etc.
Cross-Training Shoes
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Designed for multi-directional and lateral (side-to-side) motion
Typically a bit more level heel-to-toe and sometimes have a reinforced toe box
By Support Level
Neutral
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Cushioned, soft, flexible (generally)
0-12 mm drop available
Minimal arch support
Examples: Asics Cumulus, Brooks Dyad, Brooks Ghost, New Balance 880, Saucony Ride
Stability
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Harder density foam under arch
Thought to provide more support for overpronation than neutral shoes
Still fairly flexible and typically lighter weight than Motion Control
8-12 mm drop available
Examples: Asics 2000, Brooks Adrenaline,New Balance 860, Saucony Guide
Motion Control
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Maximum Support
Harder density foam under the arch
Wider base underfoot
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8-12 mm drop available
Examples: Asics Foundation, Brooks Addiction, Brooks Beast/Ariel, Saucony Redeemer
Alternative
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Generally Lower Drop 0-4 mm drop
Drastically varies in amount of cushion
 Five Fingers (minimal)  Hoka (maximal)
Generally wider, larger toe-box area
Examples: Hoka, Altra, Topo, Vibram Five Fingers
Determining a Customer’s Shoe Size………………………..
Shoe size is important! Several issues can arise if a shoe is not the proper size/fit.
If the shoe is too large/wide:
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The shoe may be unable to secure and support the foot.
The shoe may allow the foot to move more than necessary resulting in blisters or calluses.
If the shoe is too small/narrow:
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There may be insufficient room for the foot to flex causing the toes to jam into the front of
the shoe, which could eventually lead to issues like bunions or hammertoes.
There may be insufficient space for the foot to swell due to longer standing/running
periods, or high heat.
If the foot is squeezed too tightly, poor circulation can result in the foot becoming cold or
falling asleep (tingling).
Using a Brannock to Measure:
Pictured below is a Men’s Brannock on the left and a New Balance brannock on the right. The New
Balance brannock measures men (black) and women (gray). The Men’s Brannocks are all painted
black, women’s are all painted purple or maroon.
Make sure the customer is standing straight up with their weight over the foot being measured.
The Brannock Device tells two key pieces of information:
To determine foot length: Have the customer stand with their heel flush against the heel cup
of the brannock. The line directly in front of the longest toe shows foot length. To ensure
sufficient room for the foot, we usually recommend a shoe size that is ½ a size bigger than
where their longest toe measures. Ex: Longest toe measures out on the 7 line, we could
recommend a 7.5
 To determine foot width: Once you have measured the foot length, you can use that
information to determine their width by using the slider toward the outside of the foot. Find
their foot size on the slider, and follow the corresponding line down to the width letter (i.e.
2A, B, D, 2E, 4E) The size will point to the approximate width of the foot.
* Measure Both Feet – most customers will have two different size feet and we will fit the
larger length and width.
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Men’s sizes are approximately 1½ sizes smaller than women’s sizes (but a different width). For
instance, a men’s size 7 equates to a women’s 8½. Kid’s sizes are the small end of the men’s sizes.
MENS SIZE = KIDS SIZE = WOMENS SIZE + 1.5
MEN’S
Narrow
Regular
Wide
Extra Wide
2A
B
D
2E
4E
Narrow
Regular
Wide
Extra Wide
WOMEN’S
*Examples:
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A women’s D width is considered a “Wide.” A men’s D width is considered “Regular width.”
If a woman needs a 10 wide, you could consider a men’s 8.5 regular (theoretically those are
the same exact size).
Key Points to Remember……………………………………..
Key Point 1: Right shoes are displayed on the racks. DO NOT take a left shoe from back-stock out to a
customer unless you locate a right shoe display first.
Key Point 2: When getting a shoe from back stock, remember to note what your customer looks like,
and let them know where you will meet them.
Key Point 3: If you are ever unsure of how to proceed while fitting a customer, PLEASE ask anyone
with a plastic name tag for help.
Key Point 4: Shoe sizes are not always consistent. Do not be surprised if you end up in a size different
from what the Brannock says.
Key Point 5: Some customers are very set in their ways. We will always let the customer try on
whatever size and shoe category they wish
Key Point 6: If a customer comes to you and hands you a variety of shoes - qualify them first! Make
sure they have the right size (offer to measure of have them try on the shoe in their hand) and
category (they may not realize they are holding a volleyball shoe rather than a running shoe).