3 Strength Training Tips for Basketball Coaches

As basketball coaches, we spend countless hours on skill work, repping plays, and fine-tuning our offensive and defensive schemes. But what about making sure our athletes are physically ready to execute those skills and withstand the demands of a long basketball season? That's where smart strength training and conditioning comes in to play.

It's not just about lifting heavy weights, though. For high school basketball players, it's about building a solid foundation that not only enhances performance on the court but also prevents possible injuries that can derail a season.

Here are some practical tips you can implement with your team, no matter your resources.

1. Master the Basics

Forget about trying to turn your basketball players into powerlifters. For high school athletes, especially those new to structured training, the #1 priority should be mastering fundamental movement patterns. Things like proper-form squats, push-ups, overhead presses, rows, and carries.

Focus on perfect form and consistent progression. The strength will come, but the movement quality has to be there first.

2. injury prevention is your best offense

ACL tears, ankle sprains, and knee pain are common in the sport of basketball. Your strength and conditioning program should be a proactive defense against injuries. This means dedicating time to exercises that build a strong core, incorporate plyometrics, and use deceleration drills

Build strong muscles and joints that will help protect against injuries.

3. Program with the season in mind

Your basketball strength training and conditioning program shouldn't be a one-size-fits-all plan that you run year-round. It needs to be seasonal, specific to the time of year - off-season (build foundational strength, power, and address weaknesses), pre-season (more sport-specific movements, power development, and preparing the body for game play), and in-season (focus on maintenance).

You don't need a state-of-the-art weight room or a full-time strength coach to make a significant difference. Start with these fundamentals, prioritize injury prevention, and program smartly throughout the year. Your players will be more athletic, more resilient, and ultimately, better basketball players.