In basketball, conditioning is not preferred - it is essential. Basketball is a physically demanding game, offering little time to rest when the player is on the court. But the simple fact is, there is no excuse for losing a game because of poor conditioning.

Players need to be in shape before tryouts – in fact, that’s a major factor you should have in mind when deciding who remains on the team throughout tryouts, and who gets sent home. You don’t play basketball to get in shape; you get in shape to play basketball. And then you get in even better shape through the conditioning drills in your basketball practices.

Conditioning drills must be sport-specific. Basketball is a start-stop, explosive-energy game. Long distance running may create a stronger heart and more endurance, but the ability to run at a constant speed for two hours will not help anyone sprint up the floor, then back peddle quickly down court to get into defensive position.

These basketball conditioning drills will help your players perform specifically in the game of basketball.

Great Conditioning Drills

• Suicides
  
  
• Horses
  
  
• The Circuit
  
  
• 30-30
  
  
• Sprint Relays
  
  
• Slide and Sprint
  
  

These drills use movements that are common to the game of basketball. They emulate how the player moves on the court, and by practicing them over and over again, at faster and faster speeds, their muscles understand how to perform that movement easily, fluidly, quickly, with power and grace.

Consistent use of these conditioning drills - especially at the beginning of the pre-season - will greatly improve your players' cardio levels and quickness, as well as their endurance. Especially important when it counts - in the last quarter, often in the last few minutes of the game, when the team with the best conditioning will be able to overcome any other team.

Integrate these conditioning drills into your practice regimen and continually work to improve the conditioning of your players all year long.