Train the Hips for Better Movement

How many coaches have you heard say, “He/she really doesn’t have ‘good hips’. He/she just doesn’t move well”. If you have been around coaches, then you have probably heard this statement. The hip joint (also called the hip girdle or pelvic girdle) is arguably one of the most important joints in the human body. It […]

The Wall-mounted Trak-X™ system: Insight from the University of Michigan

As mentioned in a previous blog The Evolution of the Lifting Platform the Perform-X Trak-X system is being implemented into the inlaid platform of several high school, college and professional weight rooms across the country. However, this customized metal strip that allows for safe and effective anchoring of resistance cords is not limited to being […]

Training the Female Volleyball Player: Q&A with Donnie Maib

Volleyball consists of dynamic, multi-directional movements in a confined space.  The physical demands include reacting, accelerating, jumping, landing, pivoting, decelerating, and hitting.  Therefore, the physical preparation of the volleyball player should consider aspects of vertical and horizontal training, rotational movements, and upper body strength to improve on-court performance and also decrease the risk of knee […]

Basketball Conditioning: Run, Jump, Pass, Shoot and Play Defense

By Dan Hutchison, MS, ATC, CSCS Athletic development in the sport of basketball involves more than practicing shooting and playing games.  The coach and athlete will both have longer careers if emphasis is placed on the fundamentals of athletic development that are adhered to on a regular basis. In the four-part basketball conditioning series, we […]

Basketball Conditioning: The Importance of Lateral Resistance Training

By Dan Hutchison, MS, ATC, CSCS Lateral movement in the game of basketball is essential for defending ones opponent both on and off the ball.  The ability to anticipate and ‘beat’ the dribbler to a specific spot requires conditioning, technical repetition, and court awareness.  Basketball coaches usually cover the latter two aspects by consistently implementing […]

Lateral Training for Improving Forward Sprinting Velocity

By Dan Hutchison, MS, ATC, CSCS The running motion predominantly occurs in the sagittal plane, which is the plane in which forward and backward movements of the body and body segments occur.  So why should we talk about ‘lateral training’ with forward sprinting velocity?  Many muscle groups associated with optimal forward sprinting can be stimulated […]