Preseason: What Are You Doing to Prepare?

By Alan Stein, CCS, CSCS
StrongerTeam.com

With summer over and school in full swing, you still have several weeks before your first official practice. If you haven't been doing anything to prepare for this coming season, you better get started!

It is crucial you are doing everything possible to get in great basketball shape. Whether you are a question mark to make the JV team or a potential All-American, being in anything less than outstanding basketball condition is unacceptable. Your conditioning level is something you have complete control of, and thus if you are not in great shape, look no further than the mirror.

Basketball is a high-intensity game played at a very fast pace… so going out and running three miles every day will not get you in basketball shape. It is also a game of reading and reacting, quick changes of direction, and several movement patterns (sprinting, jumping, defensive sliding, and back pedaling)…. so running 10 reps of 100 meters will not get you in basketball shape either. To get in, and stay in, top basketball shape you need to participate in a series of progressive, game-like drills!

To get into great basketball shape; your conditioning program must be:

• Energy system specific (high intensity/short duration, drills should last 15-60 seconds)
• Movement specific (sprint, back pedal, defensive slides, jumping)
• Progressive (increase intensity, increase volume, decrease rest)
• Competitive (compete against teammate or clock)
• Fun (try to find drills you enjoy doing, you will work harder if you are having fun)

The most effective way to get into basketball shape is to take a comprehensive approach:

Nutrition and Rest

Your body is like a race car and it needs to be properly fueled to work at a maximum level. You need to try to get eight hours of sleep each night to make sure you are well rested enough to give 100 percent at every workout. You also need to make sure you drink tons of water to stay hydrated. Even the slightest bit of dehydration can affect performance on the court and in the weight room.

You also need to eat your normal three meals a day plus three additional high-powered snacks. Two of the most important times to fuel are first thing in the morning (breakfast) and within an hour after working out. Some great foods you can start your day with to give you energy include pancakes, waffles, bagels, cereal, oatmeal, and fruit.