►Disruptive Innovations and Ideas for Basketball Training

by iJ Atlantic

Physics and the conservation of momentum

• It would be helpful if every team in the NBA had a graduate in physics who provides ideas based on formulas applicable to basketball. For example, I found the formula for the conservation of momentum principle very useful in the case of a collision between two players:

m₁ × v₁ + m₂ × v₂ = m₁ × v′₁ + m₂ × v′₂

Here, v and v′ are the velocities of the bodies before and after the collision, respectively. m₁ and m₂ are the masses of both players. This means that there is a correlation between the weight of the players and their velocities before and after the collision.

For example, if you want to stop (v′ = 0) a player who weighs twice as much as you, you should move at approximately double his velocity against him. Since v′₁ = v′₂ = 0, m₂ = m and m₁ = 2m, then:

m₁ × v₁ + m₂ × v₂ = 0
⇒ 2m × v₁ + m × v₂ = 0
⇒ v₂ = −2v₁

This means that the collision with the other player must obviously be in the opposite direction and your velocity must be double that of the other player. If you apply a very short but very rapid movement, you can stop him although you weigh much less than him, and the referees would not detect a possible personal foul.

Ball spin and training ideas

• Another interesting research could be having in account the difference of preassure that arise when you impress a rotation to the ball and a good velocity when you throw it. It is different if you impress a rotation to the ball backwards than fowards. If the ball rotates backwards the ball will plummet into the hoop. If the ball rotated fowards it can achieve more distance. It would be interesting to check a new way of shooting impressing a rotation foward, that is the opposite that the standar way of throwing nowadays. The same is applicable when you pass the ball to long distances.

• You must prepare the mind and the body in basketball. Some options you can do for training yourself or a team in an imaginative way are:

1. One player that play blind and the rest seeing.
2. Playing 7 players against 3 to cause difficulties to the lattest and accostum them to be deffended by several players at the same time.
3. Playing with black glasses on so the rest don't see the movement of yours eyes. You shoud have advantage repect the other players using this method.

1. Bounce with a hand on your back. This exercise is for learning individual technique. For example bouncing with the left hand. Once the players learn to bounce with the left hand it will be easier for then to use both hands indifferently.
2. Prove to play seated on a wheelchair if you have the opportunity. So you can have a different point of view of the court and the basket.
3. Training throwing to basket from the middle of the court. Your three point shooting should better after that.

For a more structured approach to the physical side of training, see my review of Complete Conditioning for Basketball, which discusses testing, warm-up, strength, speed and agility.

For coaching ideas and explanations of basketball plays to complement these training exercises, see my NBA Coaches Playbook review.

Stephen Curry: shooting drills and half-court shots

Here is how Stephen Curry trains. These two videos from 2016 show half-court shots during an All-Star practice and shooting drills with his coaches.

Stephen Curry taking part in a half-court shooting challenge at the All-Star practice in Toronto on 13 February 2016. Recorded by Alex Chow (amchow78). Watch on YouTube.

Stephen Curry working on shooting drills with Warriors player development coaches Bruce Fraser and Nick U'Ren. Video published by The Sports Leader (KNBR) on 4 March 2016. Watch on YouTube.

If you like these ideas and would like a fuller explanation of any of them—or if you disagree—please leave a comment below. Which ideas would you test, and what would you change?

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