Yes, “we talkin’ ’bout practice,” as our good friend AI would say. I am by no means an expert on planning practice, but I think a few things are basic truths, especially at the high school level. This post is designed to help coaches in these situations maximize their practice. There is a lack of…
Nutrition and Injury Recovery
An injury can be devastating not only for an athlete but for an entire team. One injury can shake a team’s entire season. That is why every effort should be made for a fast and effective recovery. When an injury occurs, a recovery plan often includes surgery, physical therapy, rehab, ice, and rest. Why is…
Peak Performance – Hydration for Basketball Players
Like it or not, the dog days of summer are upon us. Players are finishing up school, AAU is in full swing, and camp season is set to begin. Not to mention open gyms, practices, summer leagues, and more. At this moment it is extremely important to remind players of the importance of taking care…
Rest and Recovery for Basketball Players
As many of you already know, getting rest and allowing proper recovery time is a critical component to keeping an athlete performing at an elite level. However, one thing many often overlook is the difference between rest and recovery and how to effectively implement both of them. First, let’s define both terms. Rest: Combination of…
Pre-Season Conditioning – Circuit Training
It’s always good to mix it up, and keep the body guessing. So for this conditioning we are not going do any running but still get the heart rate up! You will do each exercise for 45 seconds, with 15 seconds rest/transition time in between. You will repeat the circuit 4 times, take a 2…
Pre-Season Conditioning – The Climb to the Top
Similar to running hills, climbing stairs are also fantastic to developing lower body power. It is thought that running stair could help increase overall speed. Find some stairs that you can run up, whether in the gym, the football field, or outside at a park. If you’re really lucky you will have an amazing place…
Pre-Season Conditioning – Over the Hill
I always love being in the gym, but before getting locked in the gym for months it’s nice to have a little change of scenery. That’s why as much as possible I think pre-season conditioning should be outside or at least in a different setting. Hill Workout Find yourself a pretty decent hill. For this…
Pre-season Conditioning Track Workout
Conditioning days in the fall were enough to make me lose sleep, I felt nauseous from the time I woke up until the second we started the workout. But once it was over I felt this tremendous sense of accomplishment, and it made me that much more excited for the season to start (partly because…
4 Things to Do Every Time You Walk in the Gym
They say it takes 2 weeks build good habits. I don’t know who they is but if you have ever stuck to something for a solid 2 weeks, it appears that “they” are correct, because that action does become a habit and easier to stick to. There are a few gym habits that would be…
The Offseason – Now What?
The season is over. Emotions of how it ended, either high or low have subsided and bodies are beginning to recover. Now what!? Focus on injury prevention and recovery Everyone ends the season a little beat up. Offseason is a wonderful time to tend to those little nagging injuries or the bigger ones. Strengthen weaknesses…