9 Basketball Conditioning Drills to Improve Agility

Basketball conditioning drills help build the necessary strength, agility, and flexibility to excel in the fast-paced, high-energy basketball game. Try the following drills to work on basketball skills and fundamentals: 1. __Full-court dribble and layup__: In this layup drill, start at one baseline, sprint dribble to the opposite side of the basketball court, do a [layup](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/layup-basketball-guide), then get your own rebound. Next, sprint dribble back the full length of the court for a preset number of reps. Alternate hands and layup side so you work both hands for shots and dibbling. 2. __Arc layup__: For this conditioning dribbling drill, set up five cones at equal intervals along the three-point line. Start under the basket, then dribble around the first cone, charge the basket, and do a layup. When you get the rebound, go around the second cone, then the third, until you circle them all. This drill is a kind of cardio conditioning that offers players an opportunity to work on different layup and rebound angles. 3. __Ladder sprints__: Ladder sprints are a great drill for cardio and can also help with rapid direction-reversal and reversal, an essentialnt physical ability in basketball. Start on one side of the baseline, then sprint to the free-throw line, touch it, and sprint back to the baseline. Then, sprint to the three-point line and back, to the half-court line, the far free-throw line, and finally all the way to the opposite baseline of the court. 4. __Sideline sprint shooting__: This drill is an excellent conditioning and shooting drill. Place the basketball somewhere inside the three-point arc, resting on a chair. Then, sprint from the sideline, pick up the ball, and do a jump shot. Move the ball around, then sprint to the opposite sideline before your start the drill again. 5. __Jump rope__: Jumping rope is a great conditioning workout for quickness, coordination, and cardio that players can practice year-round outside of basketball season. You can use variations such as jumping on one foot at a time or switching every other jump. 6. __Two-ball dribbling__: This cardio drill accentuates ball handling. Dribble from the baseline on one side of the court to the other, while dribbling one ball in each hand. One variation includes cones set up at various points along the court—the free-throw line, three-point line, half court, and so on—that you dribble in and out of. Perform the drill for a set amount of time or number of repetitions. 7. __NBA lane agility drill:__ This is another great drill for agility, speed, and strength. Start on the baseline, sprint to the top right corner (the elbow) of the free-throw line, do a defensive slide to the left corner, backpedal to the bottom left corner, and then shuffle back to the starting position. Players can also complete this drill in reverse, or alternate the movements with rapid-fire shooting drills. 8. __Box jumps__: Given the importance of jumping in basketball, it’s always good to incorporate jumping exercises into basketball conditioning. Jumping on and off of a twelve-inch tall box helps you gain height, explosiveness, and control. Landing is just as important as height since incorrect landing can cause serious injury. 9. __Cone weave__: Set up cones along the length of the court in a zigzag pattern. Dribble to each cone, and when you reach it, do a crossover and switch hands before dribbling to the next cone. The cone weave drill is great for working on footwork skills. Basketball players need to learn many specific skills to play basketball, and they need to have the strength and agility to perform them well. The best basketball coaches will incorporate these exercises into every practice so that the players will get the most out of their workouts. Consider the following tips: 1. __Remember warm-ups and cool-downs.__ As with any exercise, it’s important to get the muscles warmed up before they are fully exerted. Stretching is also important and can take place both at the beginning and at the end of a practice session. 2. __Incorporate defensive and offensive drills__. You can incorporate many conditioning exercises with more complex strength training drills. This can help build skills and strength simultaneously. Shooting drills, passing drills, and running drills all help with agility, and you can perform jumping exercises while holding a basketball to help develop ball-handling skills. 3. __Alternate with lower-intensity drills.__ Too many conditioning drills can lead to fatigue and injury. Alternate high-intensity workout days with lower-intensity drills and scrimmages so you’re at your best without taking unnecessary risks or overexerting yourself. 4. __Eat a balanced diet__. Basketball coaches can advise players to pay attention to nutrition and overall health by recommending balanced diets and adequate rest. These factors help players gain strength, agility, and stamina, even in the off-season. Want to become a better athlete? The [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/) provides exclusive video lessons from the world’s best athletes, including Stephen Curry, Tony Hawk, Serena Williams, Wayne Gretzky, Misty Copeland, and more. Conditioning drills are a great way to build the basic strength and stamina needed to play great basketball.