Improving Change of Direction Speed in Basketball Players

Discuss results of Spiteri et al.

Spiteri found that stronger athletes had faster total time during the COD performance test. Stronger athletes had overall better breaking & propulsive vertical, horizon force, and impulse.

Discuss results of Bloomfield (2007)

Bloomfield showed that there was a larger % improvement with SAQ equipment on many variables compared to w/o SAQ equip train, however there seems to be really no big different improvements when looking at each variable. Suggest that although SAQ equip could be handy, equip training itself cannot be said to be superior compared to no equip training.

What is the refractory period?

Delay in responding to the second of two closely spaced stimuli. How soon a person can switch from making a goal-directed response to one stimulus to making a different goal-directed response to a different stimulus. Motor system processes the first stimulus & generates the first response. Then if the experimenter presents the second stim during the time the system is processing the first stimulus & response, the onset of the second response can be delayed. For example, a basketball player taking a shot with a fake and a defender having to adjust to the fake to make the correct response to block the shot. The block will be delayed because the blocker was processing the first stimulus (fake).

Discuss results of Serpell

It was seen that mean RAT total agility time improved significantly in the training group but not in the control group. Significant improvement in mean perception & response time was also seen in the training group but not for the control group. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that differences in performances on the RAT for the training group post intervention can be attributed to improved perception and ability to respond earlier.

Design a planned COD drill for basketball player

• Suicides: free throw-> baseline-> half court-> baseline-> opposing free throw-> baseline-> opposing baseline
• Modified shuttles: Sprint to elbow-> side shuffle-> run backwards-> side shuffle

Design a reactive agility drill for basketball player

Dribble test through flashing lights, when light flashes dribble towards light & crossover (simulate defender appearing & having to cross quickly). Pass test with lights, athlete stands in middle dribble then when lit appears pass ball toward net. Simulates split second of teammates getting open.