Basketball Tip
Presented by Derek Washington, Co-Director
Nike Basketball Camp The Hive Sports Complex
Presented by Jade Carter, Co-Director
Nike Basketball Camp The Hive Sports Complex
5 Off Season Basketball Conditioning Tips
Do you ever struggle with getting up and down the court quickly? Conditioning is an important part of basketball as it affects every aspect of your game like shooting, defense, mental toughness, and concentration. In order to perform at a high level, you must understand the importance of conditioning not only as an individual but also as a team! Here are five conditioning tips commonly taught at our youth basketball development camps presented by Coach Derek Washington and Coach Jade Carter of Next Level Basketball. Train with them this summer at our Oklahoma City basketball camp.
Strength Training
One way to improve your conditioning is through strength training. Lifting weights can help build your muscles to endure heavy loads last long periods of time. Strengthening areas on your body such as your legs, will help keep you in a better stance on defense and is also key in having your full power in your legs for your shot. Two main areas to focus on would be legs and core, but full body strength training is a good way to improve your conditioning.
Cardio
Everyone knows that getting in your cardio can be one of the toughest things on an athlete, but it is the most important. You can build your endurance through shooting drills, defensive drills, and sprints. Make sure to avoid any drills that lets you stay at a steady pace. The goal is to improve your cardio so drills with high intensity or short quick spurts at full speed are best.
Nutrition
Athletes require large amounts of energy throughout their training. Energy comes from carbohydrates and protein in your body. Protein helps build strong muscles, carbohydrates are for energy, while vitamins and minerals help increase your metabolism. All of the muscles that are engaged during training rely on the nutrition you provide your body through your diet. It is vital to supple your body with the right nutrients before and after workouts. This can impact the quality of your performance.
Rest
A common area where athletes struggle is not getting enough rest. By not giving your body the appropriate rest, it can hurt their performance. Turn your phones off at night and go to sleep! Twitter and Instagram are fun to look at, but that time can be better put to use by giving back to your body. In sports, your body is your temple, treat it with the utmost respect. One way to do this is by getting the appropriate amount of sleep and making sure not to eat too late.
Mental Toughness
The ability to fight through adversity is what separates the good from great. By improving mental toughness, it can allow you to push through when you feel like you are getting tired. When running sprints, the first thing that pops in your mind is “I’m tired”. Train your mind to tell yourself you’re not. Start telling yourself “this is one way I am going to make myself better”. If you want to be great you have to be in great shape. Improving your mental toughness is the most important way to do that.
Incorporating these conditioning tips into your routine will yield adequate results that will help you achieve your basketball goals as an athlete. Check out more basketball tips to stay in shape and join Coach Washington and Coach Carter at the Nike Basketball Camp at The HIVE Sports Complex this summer!