Basketball Stretching Routine

A basketball stretching routine, as part of basketball training, prepares players to perform well, physically and mentally.

An appropriate mix of skill, stamina and strength is essential for the game of basketball. If you desire to be in perfect shape to play basketball then a regular basketball stretching routine will help. Basketball training helps take your game to the next level.

Muscles used in Basketball
All the muscles in the body play an important role in a game of basketball. Running, jumping and pivoting involve muscles throughout the trunk, legs and feet. The quadriceps and hamstring muscles also play a crucial role in these activities. The most critical activity in basketball is the vertical jump, an activity that involves several muscles including the abdominals, calf muscles, hamstrings, quadriceps and gluteus muscles. Your basketball stretching routine should be such that it targets all these five muscles.

A free throw in basketball involves the upper body muscles, such as the rotator cuff muscles, coracobrachialis, latissimus dorsi, biceps brachii, brachioradialis, triceps brachii, anconeus and pronator teres. A range of hand and finger muscles also play a pivotal role. These include the palmaris longus, flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor carpi radialis, extensor carpi ulnaris, extensor carpi radialis longus, flexor digitorum profoundus, extensor indicis, extensor pollicus longus, etc.

The Benefits of a Basketball Stretching Routine
A regular stretching routine helps keep injuries at bay by ensuring a healthy and agile body. This routine especially protects players from overuse injuries, such as patellar tendonitis, also called jumper's knee, in which the player feels pain in the tendon below the kneecap. Achilles tendonitis is also common, which is characterized by pain in the back of the lower leg, above the heels.

Other benefits of incorporating a regular basketball stretching routine into your basketball training include: increased range of motion; improved posture; reduced fatigue and improved co-ordination.

Despite the numerous benefits, it is important to bear in mind that stretching can have detrimental effects when done incorrectly. Improperly done stretches can over time cause permanent damage to ligaments and joint. When performing the stretching routine below, be sure to warm up first and if any of the exercises cause pain or severe discomfort, discontinue immediately. Review our article on the rules for safe stretching for more information.

Watch the Basketball Stretching Routine
Click on the play button below to watch the 10 minute basketball stretching routine video.

Get more Stretching Exercises here...
Looking at photos and watching videos on your computer is fine, but to really take advantage of all the stretching exercises on offer, grab a copy of the updated 2011 edition of the Stretching Handbook and accompanying DVD.

The exercises and recommendations on this page are just a small sample of the many stretching exercises presented in the Handbook and on the DVD. Together, they include 135 clear photographs and 44 video demonstrations of unique stretching exercises for every major muscle group in your body.

The DVD also included 3 customized stretching routines (8 minutes each) for the Upper Body; the Lower Body; and the Neck, Back & Core, plus a bonus DVD-ROM feature that allows you to print out over 80 stretching routines for 22 sports and 19 different muscle groups.

The Handbook and DVD will show you, step-by-step, how to perform each stretch correctly. Plus, you'll also learn the 7 critical rules for safe stretching; the benefits of flexibility; and how to stretch properly. Check out the Stretching Handbook & DVD for yourself.

Article by Brad Walker and The Stretching Institute™
Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved. Terms of Use

About the Author: Brad is often referred to as the Stretch Coach and has even been called the Stretching Guru. Magazines such as Runners World, Bicycling, Triathlete, Swimming & Fitness, and Triathlon Sports have all featured his work. Amazon has listed his books on five Best-Seller lists. Google cites over 100,000 references to him and his work on the internet. And satisfied customers from 42 countries have sent 100's of testimonials. If you want to know about stretching and flexibility, Brad Walker is the go-to-guy.