Complete Conditioning for Basketball

In this age of “positionless basketball,” players are expected to have a diverse set of abilities that allow them to perform capably in multiple roles on the court. This diverse skill set must be supported by multidimensional athleticism. Complete Conditioning for Basketball explains how to achieve just that.

Members of the National Basketball Strength & Conditioning Association (NBSCA), the foremost basketball training experts in the world, present this comprehensive, science-based training manual to maximize the physical performance potential of today’s players. With their combined 350 seasons of working with athletes at the college and professional levels, the 14 authors add insights, activities, and plans that optimize results for each player.

An entire chapter is devoted to player assessment, with test protocols and accompanying normative scores provided to identify physical deficiencies and establish baseline scores to use for gauging future improvement. These are followed by proven training exercises and drills to improve mobility and flexibility, upper- and lower-body strength, core strength, power and explosiveness, and speed and agility. On-court conditioning activities ensure that the gains made in the training room transfer to game time, preparing players to navigate the court swiftly, explode with power to the basket, and reach rebounds quicker than the opposition.

Also included are guidelines and recommendations for nutrition, sleep, and rest to stay fresh and primed for every physical and mental challenge. In the event of an injury, there is invaluable guidance for safely and responsibly returning to training and competition. Plus, you’ll find a complete training program consisting of 16-week off-season strength and conditioning plans—for either three or four days per week—as well as programming guidance for the preseason, in-season, and postseason to make progressive improvements throughout the year.

Let the winners of 10 NBA Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Year awards be your guides to getting players into the best basketball shape possible. Complete Conditioning for Basketball will not only elevate player’s fitness and athleticism but also take their performance to the highest level.

Audience

Basketball coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, serious players, and personal trainers who work with basketball players.

Foreword
Erik Spoelstra

Chapter 1. The Pillars and Science of Basketball Conditioning
Shawn Windle and Michael Irr

Chapter 2. Player Assessment
Michael Irr

Chapter 3. Movement Preparation
Willie Cruz

Chapter 4. Mobility and Flexibility Training
Jonathan Lee

Chapter 5. Strength Training
Jeremy Holsopple

Chapter 6. Core Training
Felipe Eichelberger

Chapter 7. Power Training
Dwight Daub and Kevin Hyde

Chapter 8. Speed and Agility Training
Andrew Paul

Chapter 9. On-Court Conditioning
Eric Foran

Chapter 10. Recovering and Resting
Todd Forcier

Chapter 11. Reconditioning and Returning to Play
Hunter Glascock

Chapter 12. Complete Conditioning Program
Daniel Shapiro

ABOUT THE NBSCA
The National Basketball Strength & Conditioning Association (NBSCA) was formed in 2008 as a successor to the National Basketball Conditioning Coaches Association (NBCCA). Relaunched as a nonprofit organization, the NBSCA seeks to continue the vision of the original NBCCA of expanding the professional opportunities of all strength and conditioning coaches within the NBA and enhancing their knowledge, practices, and relationships. The NBSCA supports its members by providing them the tools necessary to grow professionally and develop their skill set so that they may better serve the NBA, its organizations, and its players as leaders in the strength and conditioning industry.

ABOUT THE EDITOR
Bill Foran, MS, CSCS, RSCC*E, has been with the Miami Heat since the organization was founded in 1988. In his first 29 seasons, Foran was the team’s head strength and conditioning coach. After that, he served as a strength and conditioning consultant for the team as his son Eric assumed his previous role with the club. His many accolades include being named 2009 Co–NBA Strength Coach of the Year and 2017 NSCA Professional Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year. In 2014, he was inducted into the USA Strength & Conditioning Coaches Hall of Fame. In 2021, he was the first recipient of the Bill Foran Lifetime Achievement Award from the NBSCA, an award that was named in his honor.

“To reach your potential as a basketball player, you need to be in great shape! Complete Conditioning for Basketball has it all: strength and power, plyometrics, speed and agility training—everything you need to excel on the court.”
—Bam Adebayo, Player for the Miami Heat, Three-Time NBA All-Star, NBA All-Defensive First Team, and Two-Time Member of the USA Olympic Team

“The best basketball players in the world follow the principles presented in Complete Conditioning for Basketball! Now you can too. It will elevate your training and your game.”
—Scottie Barnes, Player for the Toronto Raptors, NBA Rookie of the Year, and NBA All-Star