How to Warm Up a Basketball Team

Whether you are preparing for a long practice session, the season opener or a playoff basketball game, the team warm-up is an important part of the preparation for what is ahead. While it is tempting to get down to business, some time warming up will get each player's muscles and cardiovascular system ready to work hard.

Things You'll Need

  • Basketball team
  • Several basketballs
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Instructions

  1. Stretch Before Practices and Games

    • 1

      Stretch arms by raising one hand high, grasp the elbow of the raised hand with the other hand and pull your elbow down behind your head. Switch arms.

    • 2

      Prepare wrists by holding your right arm straight in front of you and with your left hand, gently pull your fingers up toward your shoulder until you feel the pull. Pull fingers toward your rib cage next. Switch hands.

    • 3

      Move to the legs. Place your right foot in front of the left and bend down to the floor. Switch feet.

    • 4

      Try the runner's stretch by spreading your legs far apart. Pivot on your left leg and bend at the knee (keep the right leg straight). Keep your left foot to the left of your shoulders and move your upper body into a push-up position. Lower your upper body as low as possible. Do not let your right knee touch the floor. Switch legs.

    • 5

      Stretch your hips by laying flat on your back on the floor. Bend your right knee to a 90-degree angle and, using your left hand, pull your knee toward the floor in a twisting motion. Push your right shoulder in the opposite direction. Switch legs.

    Use Warm-Up Drills Before a Game

    • 6

      Practice layups. Divide half the team near the basket and the other half near half court. Players at the half court drive to the basket and do a layup. After the layup, go to the end of the line near the basket. The first player near the basket grabs the ball, passes it to the next person at the half-court line and then gets in the half-court line.

    • 7

      Use the same process as Step 1, but have players not under the basket shoot 3-pointers and mid-range jump shots. Practice from both sides of the basket.

    • 8

      Try this bounce pass drill. Have two lines of players near half court. The first player in one line dribbles the ball down the court while the first player in the other line runs toward the basket. The player with the ball executes a bounce pass some time after crossing the free-throw line to the running player who attempts a layup. The passing player retrieves the ball and passes it to the next person in line. Players switch lines.

    • 9

      Pass the basketball between players standing in a circle. Practice several types of passes and try to keep the ball moving as fast as possible.