Core Training

Training your core (the middle part of your body) is more important than you might think.

A lot of basketball players do strength training exercises for their lower body (legs) and upper body (chest, shoulders, and arms), but neglect to really focus on training the core.

But more and more athletes and trainers are realizing the importance and value of doing strength training exercises relating to the core.

What is the "core"?

It's basically the area of your body below your chest, and above your thighs. Many people think it's just your abdominal region (you know, the "six pack"), but that's only part of it. It also includes your lower back, hip flexors, and side abdominals.

Why is core training so important?

Because the central part of your body connects that muscular upper body (chest, shoulders, biceps and triceps), and the muscular part of your lower body (things, hamstrings, and calf region). The core ties it all together.

And think about typical basketball moves:

• Bending down for a loose ball
• Extending up for a rebound
• Grabbing a rebound and pivoting to throw the outlet pass
• Making drop-step move

What do all of these moves have in common? They all involve that core area of your body, and the connection that is required between upper and lower body for those movements to take place with quickness and power.

So how can you strengthen the core part of your body? In a variety of ways. Exercise ball exercises. Heavy ball exercises. Bosu ball exercises. And more traditional resistance and strength training exercies such as squats and crunches.

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