As a youth basketball coach, one of the most frequent questions I am asked is “How can I get quicker?” Players want to know what they can do to improve their agility and speed so that they can be better on the court. There is more to it than ladder drills.
In this article, we will discuss some of the best agility drills for basketball players, as well as ways to improve your speed. Speed training can improve footwork skills as well as improve cardio-respiratory power. Speed training can also help reduce the number of injuries to basketball players.
The movements required for basketball
Basketball is extremely dynamic as it requires movement across different planes and fast transitions from walking to sprinting and jumping. To become a better basketball player, you need to be able to move quickly and efficiently in all directions. The capability to quickly dodge the opponent’s attack, rapidly decelerate to jump and shoot, and then quickly accelerate to catch up with the play is critical for success on the court.
Seven reasons agility is important for sports performance
- It is a fundamental movement pattern required for many sports: The ability to change directions quickly and efficiently is important for success in basketball, football, soccer, hockey, and many other sports. Players who can improve their agility will have an advantage over their opponents.
- It develops coordination: Agility training helps improve coordination as it requires the brain and the body to work together. When you are doing agility drills, your brain has to send signals to your muscles telling them when to move. This can help improve coordination in other areas of your life as well.
- It helps develop balance: Many agility drills require you to maintain control of your body while moving quickly. It helps develop proprioception, the ability to know where your body is in space. Agility training can help improve proprioception by teaching your brain to better control your muscles.
- It increases speed: Agility training can help you become faster as it helps improve your neuromuscular system. This system is responsible for sending signals from your brain to your muscles telling them when to contract.
- It improves reaction time: Reaction time is the amount of time it takes for your brain to process information and send a signal to your muscles telling them to move. Agility training can help improve reaction time by teaching your brain to better process information and respond quickly.
- It helps prevent injuries: agility training can help improve joint stability, muscle strength, and joint range of motion. All of these factors can help reduce the risk of injuries.
- It uses less energy. Quicker movements are more efficient and use less energy than slow movements because they require less time to complete.
What are basketball agility drills?
Agility training exercises improve your ability to change direction while maintaining control of your body. One of the best ways to improve your basketball agility is by doing drills that mimic the movements required in a basketball game. Agility is important in any physical activity, and basketball is an unpredictable sport that requires rapid changes within a relatively small area.
Six simple and effective agility drills for Basketball
These six basketball agility drills focus mainly on footwork and coordination:
- Lateral shuffles: This is a great drill for improving footwork and lateral movement. To do this drill, start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees bent. Quickly shuffle to the right for five yards, then back to the left for five yards. Repeat this for 30 seconds to one minute.
- Zig-zag run: This drill is great for improving acceleration and deceleration. This drill starts with placing five cones in a zig-zag pattern, each cone five yards apart. Sprint to the first cone, then backpedal to the second cone. Repeat this pattern until you reach the end of the cones.
- Carioca: This is a great drill for improving footwork and coordination. To do this drill, start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees bent. Step to the right with your right foot, then follow it with your left foot. Continue this pattern as you move forward.
- Dot drill: This is a great drill for improving footwork and coordination. Start by placing five dots, each two feet apart, in a line. Sprint to the first dot and touch it with your right hand, then sprint to the second dot and touch it with your left hand. Repeat this pattern until you reach the end of the dots.
- Hurdle drills: This is a great drill for improving footwork and coordination. Begin by setting up five hurdles, each two feet apart. Sprint over the first hurdle, then backpedal over the second hurdle. Repeat this pattern until you reach the end of the hurdles.
- Ladder drills: This is a great drill for developing quick feet and good coordination. Start by setting up an agility ladder on the ground. Run through the agility ladder, touching each rung with your feet as you go. Repeat this for 30 seconds to one minute. Take your ladder drills to another level by practicing your defensive position while you move.
Drills for explosive power
Your basketball agility drills should include training for explosive power to improve your vertical jump and explosiveness on the court. Plyometric exercises are a great way to train for explosive power. These jumping exercises involve quick, powerful movements that help improve muscle power. Three of the best:
Jump squats
To do this exercise, start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees bent. Quickly jump up into the air, then land in a squat position. Repeat this for 30 seconds to one minute.
Box jumps
To do this exercise, start by standing in front of a box or platform. Quickly jump up onto the box, then step back down. Repeat this for 30 seconds to one minute.
Tuck jumps
To do this exercise, take up a starting position with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees bent. Quickly jump up into the air and tuck your knees to your chest. Land lightly on your feet and repeat this for 30 seconds to one minute.
Speed drills
Sprinting
This is the best way to improve your top-end speed. Try to sprint for 30 seconds to one minute, then rest for two to three minutes. Repeat this five to six times.
Resisted sprints
This is a great drill for improving acceleration. To do this drill, have a partner hold a rope that is attached to a belt around your waist. Have your partner resist you as you sprint for five to ten yards.
Hill sprints
This is a great drill for improving leg strength and power. To do this drill, find a hill that is about 30 to 40 yards long. Sprint up the hill, then walk or jog back down. Repeat this five to six times.
Combination drills
Increased body control will be easier if you are confident in ball handling – use combination drills that work on both:
Crossover dribble:
This is a great drill for improving ball handling and body control. To do this drill, start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees bent. Dribble the ball across your body from one hand to the other. Repeat this for 30 seconds to one minute.
Between the legs dribble
This is a great drill for improving ball handling and body control. To do this drill, start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees bent. Dribble the ball between your legs from one hand to the other. Repeat this for 30 seconds to one minute.
Figure eight dribble
This is a great drill for improving ball handling and body control. To do this drill, start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees bent. Dribble the ball around your legs in a figure eight pattern. Repeat this for 30 seconds to one minute.
Dribble weave
This is a great agility drill for improving ball handling and body control. To do this drill, start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees bent. Dribble the ball around your legs in a figure eight pattern. As you dribble, weave the ball through your legs. Repeat this for 30 seconds to one minute.
Agility workouts for basketball
While drills are great for improving specific skills, agility workouts are great for improving overall fitness. These workouts should be done two to three times per week in addition to your regular basketball training.
Interval training
Interval training is a great way to improve your speed and endurance. To do this workout, start by running at a moderate pace for two minutes, then sprinting at your maximum speed for 30 seconds. Repeat this pattern for 20 minutes.
Hills
Hills are a great way to improve your leg strength and power. To do this workout, find a hill that takes you one to two minutes to walk up. Sprint up the hill as fast as you can, then walk back down to recover. Repeat this pattern for 20 minutes.
Stair sprints
Stair sprints are a great way to improve your leg strength and power. To do this workout, find a set of stairs that takes you 30 seconds to run up. Sprint up the stairs, then walk back down to recover. Repeat this pattern for 20 minutes. Don’t forget to switch legs, alternate between leading with your right leg and left leg.
Jump rope
Jump rope is a great option for better coordination and quick footwork. To do this workout, start by jumping rope for two minutes, then resting for one minute. Repeat this pattern for 20 minutes.
Conclusion
Basketball agility drills are an important part of basketball training, and there are a variety of drills and workouts that can help you improve your performance on the basketball court. By doing basketball agility drills that mimic the movements required in basketball, you can improve your footwork, coordination, and speed. In addition to drills, interval training, hills, and stair sprints are great workouts to improve your overall agility. By incorporating basketball drills into your training, you can become a better and more well-rounded athlete.
