Conditioning properly for high school basketball season is the best way to avoid injuries such as sprains in the knees, hips and ankles. There is a good chance that your body has lost its ability to make certain physical movements smoothly over the summer months, requiring you to get back in shape. However, before beginning an exercise session with teammates, make sure you have the appropriate equipment and apparel to get the most out of your conditioning exercises. Get yourself customized basketball shooter shirts or warmup gear to ensure that you are as prepared as possible. Wearing the right clothing while playing any sport helps to wick away perspiration on the skin to avoid feeling uncomfortable.

Using The Right Equipment

Using exercise equipment such as treadmills, stair-climbers or elliptical machines is an effective way to have individualized basketball conditioning exercises. Chances are that your high school has a variety of equipment, including free weights, in an area near the physical education department. Alternatively, join a†local gym to enjoy the benefits that modern exercise equipment provides to get a fast workout with assistance from a personal trainer. To avoid an injury due to lack of flexibility while playing basketball, having equipment at home such as a stationary bicycle or rowing machine is also an excellent plan.†

Practice Agility Moves on the Basketball Court

Moving around the basketball court requires having agility to dodge other players while dribbling a ball or shooting the ball. To simulate other players on the court, place plastic cones in strategic locations to make a pathway to follow while maneuvering the ball. Rather than conditioning alone, this is a great time to recruit other team members to have a workout. Have someone at the sideline to blast a whistle to get players moving and stopping just like a real basketball game.

Improve Vertical Jumping Skills to Reach the Hoop

Vertical jumping requires using certain muscle groups located in the back, hips and knees. A fantastic way to warm up particular areas of the body to prevent aches and pains while improving a playerís game is by jumping rope. Players can use small ropes to jump in place or longer ropes as teams. Using motivational music while engaging in this conditioning workout helps to build camaraderie between players

Strengthen Arm Muscles Slowly with Basketball Drills

The most important part of playing a game of basketball is getting the ball in the hoop. This requires eye-hand coordination along with fast thinking to avoid other players trying to grab the ball. Use the plastic cones again to create a path to the hoop, but number each cone to ensure players must run in a special direction. Start this basketball conditioning exercise slowly to build strength in the arms to avoid strained muscles. As players gain agility and strength, they need to run faster and make higher jumps to get the ball into the hoop.Try out some of these simple yet effective conditioning exercises to help you become prepared for anything your high school basketball season can dish out.