If you have ever played a game of competitive basketball, you know how demanding the sport can be, even in a recreational game.
Trying to stop a quick and aggressive player, chasing down a loose ball, and then maintaining the finesse needed to put the right touch on a shot...
all of this requires the right kind of practice.
Conditioning, repetition, and power are key components that should be included in any basketball training program.
Basketball demands that you are not only in great shape, but that you can handle the ball while running yourself ragged.
Simply running and improving cardio capacity will not help you handle the ball when it comes to you.
Dual purpose drills will help you mast two skills at once so you're ready for game time.
Most basketball players are familiar with ladders or suicide drills: starting at one baseline, run to the first free throw line, touch it, and return.
Then sprint to the half-court line, and return.
Then sprint to the 2nd free throw line, return, and then sprint baseline to baseline.
You can add another dimension by dribbling a basketball during this drill.
When you reach one of the turn-around points, switch your dribbling hand.
This is not only great for endurance; it will help improve your ball handling with both your dominant and non-dominant hand.
Everyone recognizes the importance of a great shot, but they rarely practice proper form enough for it to translate to a game.
Since a game moves quickly, there is rarely time to think about your form.
That's where muscle memory comes in.
The more your muscles repeat the same set of movements, the more that they will naturally perform those movements in other situations.
Make sure you devote enough time to your practice to focus on proper form so that it comes naturally when you need to make that game-winning jumper.
A winning team not only scores more points, it usually wins the battle of the boards.
Height is an obvious advantage when trying to grab a rebound from your opponent, but power can help overcome what you lack in size.
Some basic drills to help improve that vertical leap are the explosive leap and repeated broad jumps.
Explosive leaps involve squatting down and exploding into the air as high as possible with your arms stretched above your head.
Come down, pause for a second, and repeat.
This can be done as two-legged jumps or one-legged jumps.
To perform repeated broad jumps, stand with your legs shoulder width apart, and then jump as high and as far as possible.
When you land, make a quick turn and then jump again.
Both of these drills should be performed on a softer surface like grass to avoid putting too much stress on your joints.
Whether you play in a structured league or with some buddies at the part, a little commitment to conditioning, repetition and power, you should notice significant improvement will help you become the dominant player you strive to be.
Trying to stop a quick and aggressive player, chasing down a loose ball, and then maintaining the finesse needed to put the right touch on a shot...
all of this requires the right kind of practice.
Conditioning, repetition, and power are key components that should be included in any basketball training program.
Basketball demands that you are not only in great shape, but that you can handle the ball while running yourself ragged.
Simply running and improving cardio capacity will not help you handle the ball when it comes to you.
Dual purpose drills will help you mast two skills at once so you're ready for game time.
Most basketball players are familiar with ladders or suicide drills: starting at one baseline, run to the first free throw line, touch it, and return.
Then sprint to the half-court line, and return.
Then sprint to the 2nd free throw line, return, and then sprint baseline to baseline.
You can add another dimension by dribbling a basketball during this drill.
When you reach one of the turn-around points, switch your dribbling hand.
This is not only great for endurance; it will help improve your ball handling with both your dominant and non-dominant hand.
Everyone recognizes the importance of a great shot, but they rarely practice proper form enough for it to translate to a game.
Since a game moves quickly, there is rarely time to think about your form.
That's where muscle memory comes in.
The more your muscles repeat the same set of movements, the more that they will naturally perform those movements in other situations.
Make sure you devote enough time to your practice to focus on proper form so that it comes naturally when you need to make that game-winning jumper.
A winning team not only scores more points, it usually wins the battle of the boards.
Height is an obvious advantage when trying to grab a rebound from your opponent, but power can help overcome what you lack in size.
Some basic drills to help improve that vertical leap are the explosive leap and repeated broad jumps.
Explosive leaps involve squatting down and exploding into the air as high as possible with your arms stretched above your head.
Come down, pause for a second, and repeat.
This can be done as two-legged jumps or one-legged jumps.
To perform repeated broad jumps, stand with your legs shoulder width apart, and then jump as high and as far as possible.
When you land, make a quick turn and then jump again.
Both of these drills should be performed on a softer surface like grass to avoid putting too much stress on your joints.
Whether you play in a structured league or with some buddies at the part, a little commitment to conditioning, repetition and power, you should notice significant improvement will help you become the dominant player you strive to be.