Every sport has unique movement demands.
Take basketball, for example. Here is a list of the physical skills required to play the game:
- Jump
- Sprint
- Accelerate forward off the mark
- Accelerate sideward off the mark
- Accelerate from moving
- Shuffle sideways
- Shuffle sideways to accelerate forward
- Shuffle sideways to backpedal
- Shuffle sideways to turn and sprint
- Backpedal
- Backpedal to jump
- Backpedal to accelerate forward
- Slow down
- Stop quickly
I’m sure you can think of more.
The thing is, to be truly skilled, your player’s ability to perform all of these movements in ways that enhance flow, conserve energy and minimise injury, is critical.
However, there are many obstacles that can get in the way.
For instance, they may not have ample range of motion to find position. Or they may have developed a favoured way to move that restricts their versatility. Perhaps a stage of rapid growth has interrupted their coordination. Or maybe their current state of physical fitness just won’t allow it.
Whatever the problem, the road to developing their game will require you to address it.
To find out more about how we do this in Athlete Development, check out our website or join the conversation on Facebook.
