3 Powerful Basketball Jump Training Exercises

Is basketball jump training an important element in the overall development of a basketball player? The answer is a definite "Yes". If you are a basketball player or basketball then you understand how important the vertical jump is in the game of basketball.

Having an explosive vertical jump is a critical part of a players' ability to rebound, block shots and shoot a jump shot. Basketball players that have an explosive vertical jump are able to perform these skills more effectively and efficiently.

There are three basketball jump training exercises that athletes can perform to help increase their vertical jump - the squat, lunge and step up. These vertical jump exercises are all basketball exercises working both the knee and hip joints. These exercises are simple and effective, yet produce incredible results for the basketball player.

Basketball Jump Training Exercises

Squat

The squat is the most effective exercise to increase vertical jump...if performed correctly.

Key points to remember...

• Start in an athletic stance.
• The bar should be placed across the upper back - not the neck.
• The chest should be out. The back should be tight with a slight forward lean.
• The knees should remain directly above the feet.
• Squat to a parallel position, keeping your weight on the heels.
• Concentrate on technique to insure your safety.

Lunges

Lunges are done in one of two ways...Holding dumbbells or with a bar across the upper back.

Key points to remember...

• Start and remain in an upright position.
• Step forward as far as possible without leaning forward with your upper body.
• Step until your front knee is at a basketball degree angle.
• Step back to starting position in one step.
• Perform 10 lunges with one leg, and then repeat with the other.

Step Ups

To perform step ups you need dumbbells and a bench or step-up box. The bench or box should be 16-18 inches high.

Key points to remember...

• Start in an upright position with a dumbbell in each hand.
• Step up on the box or bench with one foot so that your knee is in a 90 degree angle.
• Step up with the other foot so that both feet are on the box or bench.
• Step back down one foot at a time.
• Perform 10 step ups with one leg, and then repeat with the other.

Performing these basketball jump training exercises on a consistent basis will help players dramatically improve their vertical jump.

Want to fly with the big boys with a 40"+ vertical leap?

Elevate your game today at http://www.ultimate-youth-basketball-guide.com

Vertical Jump Not a Priority for NBA's All-Time Top 50 Players

There is no debate over the fact that fundamentals skills have eroded slowly over the past 25 years. The Michael Jordan era ushered in a new individual style of play. Instead of pivoting, shooting, cutting, passing, and defending, young players focused on a different set of skills. A thorough analysis of the NBA's All-Time Top 50 players make one thing crystal clear; the best players ever were dedicated to the game's fundamentals of passing, dribbling, and shooting. And they loved the game.

Forget the ads for vertical leap, exploding to the rim, and miracle "jumping shoes". They may help you jump higher but will never make you into a well-rounded basketball player. The game is and always will be about fundamentals. The same is true for the sports of football, baseball, and golf.

Have you ever heard a coach interviewed after a tough loss say, "If we just would have executed more tip dunks or 360 degree slams, we would have won." I doubt you have ever heard that said. Instead you basketball NFL, MBL, or NBA coaches say, "We need to get back to the basics of the game . When we get away from them, nothing good ever happens." That's the statement I've heard hundreds of times over the past 25 years. A commitment to the basic fundamentals of any game lead to progress, growth, and success.

The following is a list of the NBA's All-Time Top 50 Team:

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Nate Archibald, Paul Arizin, Charles Barkley, Rick Barry, Elgin Baylor, Dave Bing, Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, Bob Cousy, Dave Cowens, Billy Cunningham, Dave DeBusschere, Clyde Drexler, Julius Erving, Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, Gerorge Gervin, Hal Greer, John Havlicek, Elvin Hayes, Magic Johnson, Sam Jones, Michael Jordan, Jerry Lucas, Karl Malone, Moses Malone, Pete Maravich, Kevin McHale, George Mikan, Earl Monroe, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal, Robert Parish, Bob Pettit, Scottie Pippen, Willis Reed, Oscar basketball David Robinson, Bill Russell, Dolph Shayes, Bill Sharman, John Stockton, Isiah Thomas, Nate Thurmond, Wes Unseld, Bill Walton, Jerry West, Lenny Wilkens, and James Worthy.

As you coach young people in the sport of basketball please consider these questions:

• Did Arizin, Cousy, Jones, Russell, and Shayes spend their time working on vertical leap?
• Did Larry Bird lean on his athletic ability throughout his high school, college, and NBA career?
• Why did Julius Erving become a well-rounded, fundamental player after he realized he could jump?
• How much time did Stockton, Monroe, Frazier, Greer, Archibald, Thomas, and Wilkens spend on learning the fundamentals of ball handling and passing?
• Why did Pistol Pete Maravich dribble at the theater and out the window of a moving car?
• Why is George Mikan known as the "Father of Post Play".
• How many of these 50 players spent their time become better jumpers?
• How high would you rate the basketball IQ of this group?
• What are the traits that this group of players have in common?

Without fundamentals, knowledge of the game, and a love for basketball, how many of these 50 players would have made this team? NONE! If you are a coach of young people, heed the message of this article. Bells and whistles work on kid's bikes, but get you nowhere in basketball. The key to improving as a player is and always be about hard work, perseverance, and honoring the time basketball fundamentals of the game. Don't miss this bus!

Randy Brown has passion for the game of basketball. He works as a basketball consultant and mentor for coaches. Visit him at http://www.coachrb.com for free resources, Q & A, newsletter, and coaching programs. A speaker and writer, he has authored 75 articles on coaching and is nationally published. His 18 years in college basketball highlights a successful 23-year career. Mentored by Basketball Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson at Arizona. Resume includes positions at Arizona, Iowa State, Marquette, Drake, and Miami of Ohio, 5 Conference Championships and 5 NCAA appeearances. His efforts have helped develop 12 NBA players including Steve Kerr, Sean Elliott, and Jaamal Tinsley. To contact Randy, email him at rb@coachrb.com

What You Need To Look For When Buying Basketball Shoes?

Are you looking for a pair of basketball shoes? Do you know the things that you need to consider when deciding on the most appropriate choice?

It is greatly important to ponder on some crucial factors because playing basketball involves a lot of movements. These movements necessitate a pair of shoes that could provide comfort and stability so as to facilitate easy movement transition.

When choosing a basketball shoes, be sure to arrive at a durable one. Choose the shoes made up of heavy-duty and long-wearing material that can stand al the action that you are going to encounter when engaging in a basketball game.

It does not necessarily mean that you need to rely on expensive brands because you can also find durable shoes at a considerably lower price than signature brands. You can also find signature brands on sale seasons.

When considering the comfort factor, shoes with mid-foot, heel and ankle support are preferable choices. It would be better if you find one with quality lacing system.

And since playing basketball involves frequent jump shots, choosing one with lots of padding and cushioning can provide you with the comfort and support for gaining enough stability throughout the game.

It is also essential that you are certain to come up with the shoe that has traction on the forefoot and the heel so as to minimize slipping that can cause injury.

Basketball games entail a lot of running that can bring about sweating not only to the upper extremities but also to the lower basketball especially the feet.

This is the reason why choosing a pair that has appropriate breathability capacity should be on the top list of choices. The one with uppers fabricated with breathable materials like leather or nylon are preferable to ensure that the feet is kept cool even during an exhausting and active basketball game.

When playing basketball you have to be in style. Not all conforms to this, but it feels good to look great on the court. However, comfort and stability are still the most essential factors to consider when buying your own shoes.

If you love Adidas Basketball Shoes, visit our site at http://www.whalezebra.com for great deals and pricing. Be sure to check out our values for Adidas Running Shoes as well.

12 Benefits of Basketball Coaching Certification

The question basketball why the gap has been closed in international basketball is basketball pressing one. The United States once dominated international and Olympic play. Those days are gone as our basketball structure leaves a lot to be desired. The quality of our coaching has deteriorated, therefore other countries have made great progress due to a motivated coaching movement. Coaching certification for basketball coaches was once just a topic for discussion. It has become an urgent topic and must be seriously be considered by the United States coaching community.

This article addresses the benefits of a coaching certification. Following the lead of countries such as Canada and the UK, the following list represents a good reason for us to follow.

12 Benefits of a Basketball Coach Certification program

1. By becoming certified you will increase your knowledge of the game of basketball.
2. You will immediately be part of a small group of certified trainers to facilitate your learning and application of the game. Your knowledge will be sought by other coaches.
3. Certification will prepare you to run your own training program or youth basketball camps.
4. A comprehensive learning approach with a classroom setting and on floor setting will enhance your learning curve.
5. 12 hours of learning will equal the amount of learning gained in several coaching clinics.
6. Can be completed in a 2 or 3 day period to fit your schedule and other responsibilities.
7. You can add references to your resume to grow your coaching network.
8. Your will gain access to hundreds of coaching contacts in high school, college and NBA basketball.
9. You will begin to compile your coaching philosophy in your own "Black Book" of coaching.
10. You will demonstrate initiative and enhance job prospects.
11. For the cost on ONE Nike clinic you will exposed to every part of the game from a teaching and philosophical standpoint.
12. You will develop your own coaching philosophy, techniques and methods of teaching the game.

The main step to take in this process has to come from those in leadership roles. The National Association of Basketball Coaches, the NBA, the NCAA, and the thousands of coaching associations around the country must all embrace this effort toward improving basketball coaching. Until we do our game will continue to struggle for identify and quality.

Randy Brown has passion for the game of basketball. He works as a basketball consultant and mentor for coaches. Visit him at http://www.coachrb.com for free resources, Q & A, newsletter, and coaching programs. A speaker and writer, he has authored 75 articles on coaching and is nationally published. His 18 years in college basketball highlights a successful 23-year career. Mentored by Basketball Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson at Arizona. Resume includes positions at Arizona, Iowa State, Marquette, Drake, and Miami of Ohio, 5 Conference Championships and 5 NCAA appearances. His efforts have helped develop 12 NBA players including Steve Kerr, Sean Elliott, and Jaamal Tinsley. To contact Randy, email him at rb@coachrb.com

3 Powerful Basketball Jump Training Exercises

Is basketball jump training basketball important element in the overall development of a basketball player? The answer is a definite "Yes". If you are a basketball player or coach, then you understand how important the vertical jump is in the game of basketball.

Having an explosive vertical jump is a critical part of a players' ability to rebound, block shots and shoot a jump shot. Basketball players that have an explosive vertical jump are able to perform these skills more effectively and efficiently.

There are three basketball jump training exercises that athletes can perform to help increase their vertical jump - the squat, lunge and step up. These vertical jump exercises are all compound exercises working both the knee and hip joints. These exercises are simple and effective, yet produce incredible results for the basketball player.

Basketball Jump Training Exercises

Squat

The squat is the most effective exercise to increase vertical jump...if performed correctly.

Key points to remember...

• Start in an athletic stance.
• The bar should be placed across the upper back - not the neck.
• The chest should be out. The back should be tight with a slight forward lean.
• The knees should remain directly above the feet.
• Squat to a parallel basketball keeping your weight on the heels.
• Concentrate on technique to insure your safety.

Lunges

Lunges are done in basketball of two ways...Holding dumbbells or with a bar across the upper back.

Key points to remember...

• Start and remain in an upright position.
• Step forward as far as possible without leaning forward with your upper body.
• Step until your front knee is at a 90 degree angle.
• Step back to starting position in one step.
• Perform 10 lunges with one leg, and then repeat with the other.

Step Ups

To perform step ups you need dumbbells and a bench or step-up box. The bench or box should be 16-18 inches high.

Key points to remember...

• Start in an upright position with a dumbbell in each hand.
• Step up on the box or bench with one foot so that your knee is in a 90 degree angle.
• Step up with the other foot so that both feet are on the box or bench.
• Step back down one foot at a time.
• Perform 10 step ups with one leg, and then repeat with the other.

Performing these basketball jump training exercises on a consistent basis will help players dramatically improve their vertical jump.

Want to fly with the big boys with a 40"+ vertical leap?

Elevate your game today at http://www.ultimate-youth-basketball-guide.com