Do you want to improve cardio for basketball? The best way to do so is to play more basketball. It’s not sexy, but it works. Read on to find out why.
By the time the regular season hits, many pro-ball players have taken multiple months off. They may have worked out and trained, but those activities don’t compare to playing in an actual game.
That’s why the preseason is so important.
Not only does it allow coaches and players to gameplan, but it also allows players time to get their conditioning in.
They can use these exhibition games to test (and improve) their cardio and stamina.
The Story of John Wall
This was the case for John Wall, who in 2020-21 returned to competitive play after being sidelined for 2 years because of injuries.
Wall, who averaged 16 points on 45.7 percent shooting in 23 minutes of playing time, had a stellar preseason on paper. Though looked like he hadn’t missed a step, there were some signs of rust.
He was also fatigued at the end of games.
But since those were just exhibition games, he was able to identify and correct his flaws. And this benefitted him greatly when the regular season started.
In the first few games of the regular season, Wall resembled the All-Star that he was prior to the injuries.
In 4 games, he averaged 23 points (on 49 percent shooting), 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. He also stole the ball once per game and denied one shot per game as well.
I can kind of relate to this (hard emphasis on “kind of”).
I remember when I was in college, after every winter break, I’d have trouble with my cardio when I played basketball.
I’d play for maybe 5-10 minutes and I would be panting, trying to suck in as much air as I can into my, what felt like, ruptured lungs -no amount would satisfy it.
And after every first session, I would think back, “I played so well before the break. Why on earth am I dying right now? It’s only been two weeks!”
But when you don’t do much physically for two weeks, you lose every single ounce of your cardio (don’t quote me on this false fact).
Why Playing Basketball is the Best Way to Condition for Basketball
Because of this, I thought I had bad cardio. So, I tried all these different exercises to try to fix it.
But what I didn’t realize was that all I needed to do, really, was to just play more basketball.
Not only would this have helped me work on my skills, but it would have also worked out my cardio and stamina as well.
The other activities, such as lifting weights, running, and exercise biking, definitely helped. But those are supplementary; they shouldn’t act as a replacement for playing basketball.
Another thing I want to note is that basketball works your body in a unique way.
There’s a lot that goes on when you’re in a game. You have to run, jump, jog, lunge, push and do a myriad of other movements.
It’s a full-body workout that no other activity can replicate.
That’s why the best way to condition for it is to actually play it (especially for average Joes and Janes who don’t have a lot of time and/or don’t subscribe to “Ball Is Life”).
How to Improve Cardio for Basketball
So, here are some tips I have for the average Joe and Jane (and/or newbie to basketball) on how to improve your cardio for basketball (by playing basketball).
- First thing first, stretch and warm up. You don’t want to pull a hammy or groin on the first day back.
- Start slow. Don’t go all out on the first few games, but do try your best. Remember, these games are meant to get your body used to playing basketball.
- In between games, take longer breaks. Instead of taking 5 minutes off, increase it to 10-15 minutes.
- Also, play fewer games than usual. And only play a couple of times a week in the first couple of weeks. When you feel your body is used to the pounding, play more.
- Once your conditioning improves, gradually ramp up the intensity and effort.
- Lastly, stay consistent and persistent. Keep playing regularly or else you’ll lose your progress (and we don’t want that to happen, do we?).
However, if you want to prepare for the games so that you don’t hurt yourself or make a fool of yourself, you can do the Mamba Mentality workout.
Just do it for 2-3 weeks every other day and your cardio should improve. Learn how to do it here.
Final Thoughts
The initial feelings of bad cardio during a game will be horrible. You won’t be able to play basketball well and it will hurt.
Your body will ache and your ego will be sore. But just know that it will only be painful for the first few games.
After a couple of weeks, your cardio will get used to playing competitively and you will see improvement in your skill as well.
So just keep chipping away at it and the results will please you.