Thursday, May 21, 2009

Kobe Bryant Does These Workouts to Jump Higher - Do You?

Have you ever wondered how the pro NBA players jump so high and dunk so well? NBA stars are on a very strict jump workout that they do every day. The workout is very basketball and can be done by basketball player of any skill level, whether you are a high school player who needs a few more inches to dunk or a college star that wants to win a dunk contest. Here are the key elements of the NBA jump training.

1. Jump Squats! Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and your hands basketball your head. Bend your knees and crouch so that your legs are parallel with the floor. Now jump as high as you can, keeping your back straight and your hands behind your head. Instantly when your feet touch the ground, repeat the whole process. Do about 20 jumps, 3 times or until you cannot do anymore.

2. Stairs! This is easy and effective. Start by simply running up the stairs and walk back down. Then run up the stairs skipping a stair with each step. Then Hop with both feet up the stairs. Ten Hop on 1 foot up the stairs. All of these exercises work your calves tremendously, which is a huge part in jump height. Do these workouts every day.

3. Sprints! Sprints are much more effective in improving jump height than long distance running. Sprints force your muscle to become much more explosive. Do at least 5 sprints, 100 yards long, every day. You will see your quickness begin to skyrocket and you will start jumping higher in no time.

For a complete jump training program, check out The Jump Manual. This is the absolute best jump training program available.

The Hype Offense - Basketball's 1-3-1 Series

If you are a basketball fan, no doubt you have been witness to one of basketballs most popular formations: the 1-3-1 set. On average a basketball coach will see a 1-3-1 strategy at least 65% of his contests coached. Known more for its variable defensive angles, easy trapping slides, basketball creating deceptive turnovers on the defensive side of the ball, many are unaware of the power the 1-3-1 offensive series brings to a team.

For years the 'Hype' offense has provided a 1-3-1 approach to the physical side of basketball. Teams around the nation have used the 1-3-1 series to take advantage of their physical statue in the paint, develop a continuity series, set up key isolation plays at the end of the game, and control the tempo of key rivalry week match-ups.

I personally have used the offensive series in this book to set up talented perimeter players for open jump shots using a series of double screening actions. The 'Hype' offensive is a hidden gem in the basketball community and I feel that success is just around the corner for teams who are able to uncover the full potential of its 1-3-1 alignment.

I would be remiss and completely unfair if I didn't give credit to those who have made this offense such a powerhouse. There are certainly plenty of coaches out there who have used the 1-3-1 series to bring them good fortune and plenty of wins. However, the secrets revealed in this book are held tight by many; for their very basketball is enough to change the outcome of your season. The foundation of the 'Hype' offense is the single most important factor to understand in the game of basketball. "Basketball is a game of angles". Triangles to be exact. The 1-3-1 plays off of the important role triangles play in proper spacing, smart passing, and lane penetration to catch the defense off guard and create unattested opportunities at the basket.

The Hype Offense and More on Basketball at Coach Mac's http://www.coachmac-basketball.com

The Fundamental Skills of Basketball

To get better skills in basketball players need to first understand and master the basics of the game.

In basketball, there are 6 different fundamental skill areas that players should concentrate on in training.

Dribbling
Dribbling the basketball is done to move the ball around only when a passing isn't a better option and a lane isn't available. Both new and experienced players make the mistake of basketball the ball when it isn't needed. Ask any collage or professional basketball coach - they will all tell you the same thing. Dribbling should be done when the player (you) have some purpose to forfill. Dribbling while looking for an offensive option is a good way to lose the ball. When you are looking for that option, take the ball in a firm grip and put your body between you and the defender. Regardless of how good you are at dribbling, the defense will always have a greater chance for a steal if you are dribbling the ball instead of gripping it in both hands.

Passing
Passing is the number 1 option for moving the ball around the court on offense. Passing is quicker than dribbling and so it is a deadly offensive tool for reaching that open man so they can have the shot. Good passes are the hallmark of good teams because most offensive plays are set up by good passes.

Shooting
Shooting is probably the most practiced skill for new and experienced players. Yet so many people still practice it wrong. In practice all drills should be done at game speed and done as you would under pressure. Players are usually too lazy to do this and instead of practicing the sweet basketball shot that they are constantly doing in the game they lazy-it-down to a hop-shot. Instead of jumping to give power they use their arms for the power and the legs give the rest. Practicing the wrong way to shoot is something that players do all the time yet they do not understand why they miss all their jump shots during the game...

Rebounding
Rebounding can come in two forms - offensive and defensive. Lots of newer player look at rebounding and immediately think that it is a big mans area. Yet this is not so. Rebounding is more than just being big. It even surpasses just jumping ability. To be good at rebounding you need skill and dedication. Skill is mainly the ability to position yourself and read the shots - something that comes quickly with practice. Dedication is probably the most important factor in rebounding. The person who gets the ball is the one with the most hunger for the ball and who is willing to do whatever it takes to get it.

Offense
Offense is a fundamental which encompasses all aspects of the offensive court. Shooting has already been covered (and is covered more in the basketball website listed below). Yet moving off the ball to give offensive options to the player with the ball is another thing that is essential for good offense. Supporting your team mates with screens and being able to locate the best offensive option and get the ball to them are also essential things on offense. These skills are often overlooked.

Defense
The best defensive teams in the NBA are often the ones that make it into the playoffs. This is seen year after year so a simple conclusion can be made here - defense is key to victory. Defense is not only about getting the steal or block but also about intimidation of the opponents.

Paul is a university graduate involved with health sciences.

He is currently involved developing a comprehensive website about everything basketball http://www.basketball-step.com

Kobe Bryant Does These Workouts to Jump Higher - Do You?

Have you ever wondered how the pro NBA players jump so high and dunk so well? NBA stars are on a very strict jump workout that they do every day. The workout is very simple and can be done by basketball player of any skill level, whether you are a high school player who needs a few more inches to dunk or a college star that wants to win a dunk contest. Here are the key elements of the NBA jump training.

1. Jump Squats! Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and your hands behind your head. Bend your knees and crouch so that your legs are parallel with the floor. Now jump as high as you can, keeping your back straight and your hands behind your head. Instantly when your feet touch the ground, repeat the whole process. Do about 20 jumps, 3 times or until you cannot do anymore.

2. Stairs! This is easy and effective. Start by simply running up the stairs and walk back down. Then run up the stairs skipping a stair with each step. Then Hop with both feet up the stairs. Ten Hop on 1 foot up the stairs. All of these exercises work your calves tremendously, which is a huge part in jump height. Do these workouts every day.

3. Sprints! Sprints are much more effective in improving jump height than long distance running. Sprints force your muscle to become much more explosive. Do at basketball 5 sprints, 100 yards long, every day. You basketball see your quickness begin to skyrocket and you will start jumping higher in no time.

For a complete jump training program, check out The Jump Manual. This is the absolute best jump training program available.