For basketball players, the legs are undeniably important. They are necessary for jumping, landing, pivoting, running, and lunging for the ball. And if you want to excel in basketball, you can't skip leg day.

Overview of the Importance of Leg Strength

Improving your leg strength, mobility, and coordination can help you better maneuver on the court. It allows you to jump higher, change direction quickly, run faster and defend at a high level. It also contributes to a reduced risk of injuries.

Yet, many basketball players have the same problem; they jump into plyometric training without first focusing on the basics.

This isn't to say that plyometrics, agility, power, and speed aren't important. It just means that these movements aren't as efficient without the proper foundation.

Ideally, a solid leg training program should focus on various factors. You want strengthening moves, plyometrics, balance and coordination exercises, and mobility-focused movements. Combined, these factors give way to efficient movements on court and during a game.

So, what exercises should you consider including in your basketball leg strengthening program?

Check out the 9 exercises below that we think are essential exercises for basketball players.

Leg Exercises for Basketball Players

1. Single Leg Romanian Deadlift

The Single Leg Romanian Deadlift exercise contributes to foundational glute strength, balance, hip stability, and coordination. Slow and steady always wins during this exercise. If you lose balance, restart the rep.

2. Goblet Squat

This is a full-body movement, with a focus on the lower body. Add load with either a dumbbell or kettlebell.

This exercise is also all about control. Go slow on the way down, feel tension in the hips, full foot pressure, and drive up strong. Doing this movement regularly will strengthen not only your lower body, but also will contribute to better balance and stability overall.

3. Glute Bridges

Glutes are vital in core strength and athletic development. The glutes are part of the power behind your jump. By performing glute bridges, you develop a mind-muscle connection, and lay the foundation for further exercises and movements for complete preparation and injury prevention.

4. Isometric Split Squat

The Isometric Split Squat is a foundational position. It helps build strength and hip stability, establishing the basis for strength in your lower body.

5. Isometric Lateral Squat

This is another isometric exercise that works to build strength by creating tension in a low, long, and extended range of motion. A position crucial for the movement quality needed to be a lockdown defender..

6. Lunges

Lunges are an active movement that mimic the various actions a player experiences on the court. Further challenging the hip, knee, and ankle to be both mobile and stable, while engaging the muscles of the lower body.

7. Marching Plantar-Dorsiflexion

The Marching Plantar-Dorsiflexion exercise helps develop structural integrity through the foot and ankle. It uses an end-range of motion to engage the stabilizing muscles of the ankle joint. This is important since a lack of ankle mobility may inhibit your ability to squat or lunge properly. In turn, this can prevent a proper loading phase involved in jumping, as well as cause inefficient movement mechanics.

8. Snap Downs

Snap Downs are all about force management. After you’ve learned to load slow and controlled with your squat, snap downs are the starting point to establishing proper loading and landing mechanics with increased velocity. This develops the stiffness and coordination needed to generate an explosive and reactive takeoff.

9. Seated Box Jumps

Seated Box Jumps are all about force production. With the proper coordination and movement efficiency from the lower body exercises above, you’re ready for takeoff. Seated box jumps provide an effective way to challenge your explosiveness and improve your jump height.

Want more?

If you want a step-by-step program to help you improve your basketball game and technique, check out the 12 Week Athletic Development Program for Basketball Players. This program provides a full-body guide on what you need to do to improve your movement efficiency, power, and strength. And this all starts with improving your foundation and doing the right exercises to get you to where you need to be.

Comments Most Likes First   Oldest First   Newest First M says: 4/26/2022 at 6:47:12 PM How many reps? Like     login   register Deven says: 4/13/2022 at 4:45:28 PM Should we do the exercises in that order? Is there anything we should do before beginning these exercises? Like     login   register CJ Rourke says: 2/16/2022 at 10:24:24 AM Wow these are very helpful workouts. Have very much helped my game ty for advice! Like     login   register

Leave a Comment Name : Email (not published) : Eight minus zero is equal to?  (Prevents Spam) Answer :  Load New Question Comments : Leave this Blank :