The modern game of basketball features athletes with speed, coordination, quickness, strength and stamina. To compete successfully, coaches have developed drills to improve each of these physical requirements. Because players must call upon all of these physical requirements for an extended time, coaches focus particularly on drills that improve a player's stamina. The team that features the best conditioned players, stands a better chance of competing at a high level throughout an entire game.
Features
Basketball conditioning drills are designed to simulate the physical demands required of an athlete during an actual games. Consequently, the drills are frequently non-stop with infrequent rest periods. Because the drills are so physically demanding, coaches often have players perform them at the end of a practice. Some drills emphasize quick starts and stops, as well as overall stamina. Other drills develop explosive strength and timing. Drills have been developed to improve stamina while performing a basketball skill, such as shooting or rebounding. Basketball conditioning drills need not be complicated, according to Bob Knight, coach of the 1976 NCAA basketball champion Indiana University Hoosiers. Knight states that a basic 2-mile run is a great way to determine the conditioning of players
Function
Coaches emphasize conditioning drills more in the beginning of a basketball season, before games are played. When the games begin, playing in them helps keep players conditioned. However, coaches still have players perform conditioning drills during the season. The drills help keep them in peak condition. In the beginning of the season, coaches also employ a mix of drills, with some of them focusing on improving basketball skills, such as passing and rebounding.
Types
A "suicide" drill is a good example of a conditioning drill that focuses on improving a player's explosive speed and stamina. To perform the drill, players line up along the baseline, facing the far basket. The players sprint to the foul line, touch it and return to the baseline. They continue by sprinting to the mid-court line, touching it and returning to the baseline. They complete a round of the drill by sprinting to the far foul line and far baseline, touching them and returning to the near baseline. Other drills, such as a tip drill, improve a player's timing and jumping ability. Players perform the drill by forming a single file line at the top of the key, facing the basket. A ball is bounced off the backboard in the direction of the players. Each player, in succession, tips the ball off the backboard in the direction of the next approaching player. The object is to keep the ball in the air as long as possible.
Considerations
Coaches will place a heavy emphasis on performing drills that best condition players for the team's style of play. If a team plays a running style, the coach will emphasize drills that focus on running and passing. If a team plays a physical style, the coach will focus on drills that combine strength and timing.
Warning
Coaches should make players aware of the importance of proper nutrition and hydration. Basketball conditioning burns a significant amount of calories, and eliminates large amounts of fluids. Failure to follow a balanced diet, with adequate calories, could hinder a player's performance.
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