Step Number 9: Taking Care of Your Body

This week I wanted to take a break from skill work and focus on a more beneficial aspect of basketball. Making sure you take care of your is vital for your performance on the floor. Of course it is not recommended that you smoke or drink alcohol but it goes deeper than that. This week I will give you some helpful tips to keep your body in shape and full of energy

What should you eat? - There is no physical restrictions when it comes to eating. However, when it comes to playing basketball you want to make sure you eat healthy and lightweight. This could include fruits, vegetables, pastas, and salads. Remember in the game you will be doing a lot of running so you don't want to eat heavy.

What should you drink? - Water is great for any sport but specifically basketball because you are exerting a lot of energy. Drinking water will keep you hydrated and avoid cramps. Be careful not to consume a lot at one time. Also sport drinks are good because they have electrolytes in them. This will give you that extra push you might need late in the game.

Anything else? - Yes! Make sure you ice your muscles after each game especially if they are hurting. It is ok to take a couple days off if you experience minor injuries as it is apart of the recovery process. Also make sure you stretch good before and after games and get plenty of rest. The video below shows a great example of how to properly stretch your muscles in 4 segments.