7 Basketball Training Myths...Exposed

By Shelby Turcotte, TheUnGuardables.com

Myth No. 5: I Don't Need to Lift With My Lower Body Because I Already Run

Lifting and running are two completely different elements. Lifting with the lower body allows improvement of strength, power, and endurance. Running, on the contrary, improves at most only endurance (and that's not completely true either, see above myth).

Strength by definition is simply being able to lift a given amount of weight over a given distance. Strength becomes a very important factor in the game of basketball because it allows you to be strong with the basketball, on balance, and make the moves to create the space you need to play.

Give me a player with lots of skill and athleticism, then give me the same player with lots of strength, skill, and athleticism. Who do you think is going to win that battle?

Myth No. 6: Calf Raises Will Improve My Vertical

Yes, your calves do factor into your jumping. I'm not here to tell you not to do them, but I am here to tell you that they need less focus. If you've been doing calf raises but haven't been lifting weights, start adding weight training to your regular routine.

If you've watched a basketball player jump, it's an explosive total-body movement. It's not simply a lower-leg movement. Don't believe me? Try jumping without your arms and without bending your knees.

Bottom line: make sure the majority of your jump training incorporates your entire body.

Myth No. 7: Agility Ladders Improve Your Foot Speed

I like agility ladders; as a matter of fact, we use them nearly every day that we train. We don't use them to improve foot speed, we use them to improve your elasticity in your lower legs and feet. There is no such thing as "foot speed." Having "quick feet" is as a result of good hip strength (think legs and glutes) and good elasticity in your lower legs.

Think about this: in order to move your foot quickly, what body part/area must move the foot to position it for the ground? The hip. Your foot goes where your hip/leg tell it to go. The feet can't move without hips and legs helping to direct it.