Top Basketball Exercises
Basketball is amongst a fast-paced sport that requires top speed, explosive strength, and agility and fine-tuned on-court skills. Here are some of the exercises for basketball that will bring an all round player in you:
Plyo Pushups: Amongst the best exercises for basketball players is that of the plyometric pushup. The reason for this is that it helps to build explosive as well as quick hands and a powerful upper body. You will be able to do this exercise by starting in the push up position with a basketball between your hands. Now you will have to lower your body down until your chest hits the ball and explode up while you move your hands to the top of the basketball. Free your hands from the ball and return. Repeat this exercise 10 times.
Squat Jumps: While shooting and rebounding the skilled basketball players make use of the jumping ability. Squat jumps are amongst the best lower body plyometric exercises that help to improve the strength and jumping ability. You can do this exercise by starting with your feet shoulder-width apart. You should remember to keep your back straight. Lower your hips until your thighs are parallel to the floor and bend your knees and immediately jump as high as possible. Land with both feet to the ground. Now lower yourself into another squat before performing another jump.
Olympic Lifts: Olympic lifts like the e clean-and-jerk and snatch use movement patterns similar to those used during vertical jumping. You should include the Olympic lifts for your strength and conditioning program. The snatch and clean-and-jerk improve power and jumping ability along with flexibility, strength, agility, coordination and balance. While performing these exercises always have a training partner or strength coach monitoring your mechanics.
Jump Rope: Amongst the exercises for basketball, the jump rope is a traditional functional exercise which is many a times not taken into consideration within a basketball training program. However, the jump rope is an essential piece of equipment for a basketball player. It helps to develop lower body stamina and strength. It also helps to improve agility, quickness and coordination.
Lunges: One of the best exercises for basketball is that of the lunges. Why? It’s because lunges work numerous muscles in your lower body. They also help to burn more calories than other exercises.
Very much like the squats, the great thing is that if you don’t have any weights, it’s also an effective exercise as it uses only your body weight.
