Basketball is one of the physically demanding sports that you can play. After all, the game requires you to be constantly in the run from one court to the other. In addition to that, you will have to pull off some fantastic defense moves against the other team.

Because of these, the court is like a battleground during a tournament. And as a basketball player, you are the warriors, and you must take the time to get ready and make sure that your body is at its top shape so you can win the game.

But how do you prepare your body for a basketball game? Here are some amazing ways.

1. Practice

They say that practice makes everything perfect, right? Well, this rings the truest with basketball.

Most coaches would require you to practice almost every day. The best way to practice is to act as if you are already playing for the tournament. Run your defensive and offensive plays and do it with the same energy you would exert on the game.

2. Work out

More than the drills and the plays, the best way to condition your body for a big game is to perform a few workouts. Here are some of the type of exercises that you can benefit from:

–    Core workouts

Many people think that core workouts will not be beneficial for basketball players, but they are wrong. When you strengthen and improve your core, you will be able to achieve a superior balance which is one thing that can help you survive the constant movement and change in direction involved in basketball.

–    Upper body workouts

Basketball is a contact sport which often involves the use of your shoulders and arms.   If you want to put up a good defensive line for your team, it is best that you perform pull-ups, bench press, and many more.

–    Lower body workouts

Of course, your legs are always in the move when you are inside the game. No matter how good your cardiovascular health is, it will be put to vain if your legs are not strong enough to handle such physical demands.

If you want to avoid cramps and injuries during the game, you should do lower body workouts such as squats, lunges, and deadlifts.

3. Get your gear ready

Aside from getting your body ready, you also have to make sure that you have the right gear for the game. Of course, you should check and make sure that your uniform does not have any loose stitches and the seams are still completely intact.

But the most important thing of all is your basketball shoes. You have to make sure that you will use the right pair of basketball shoes (link to https://perfectlayup.com/) to the game. To help you do that, try wearing the basketball shoes you intend to wear to the game during your practice sessions and drills.

In this way, you will not only be able to break it in. You can also be able to determine if the shoes are comfortable and durable enough for the game.

4. Prepare your mind

In addition to preparing your body and gear, another essential thing that you should do is to get your mind ready. If you go into the game with the right mindset, you increase your chances of winning the game. But how do you prepare your mind? Here are some practical ways:

–    Listen to music.

The few hours before the game can be quite daunting but no matter how anxious you are, you need to find a way to keep yourself as calm as possible so you can focus on the game.

One of the most recommended ways to do that is to listen to music. Of course, it would be up to you to choose which music you like. But of course, you can expect to be calmer when you listen to slow-beat songs, and you will be more energized for the game when you listen to upbeat music.

–    Do visualization.

This technique is also called as mental rehearsal. This mental preparation technique allows you to give your mind directions on what you want your body to do or achieve.

This technique requires you to visualize what you want to happen in the court – to have a vivid mental picture of the success you wish to achieve. The more detailed your vision is, the more pumped up you will be for the game.

The truth is, no matter how much research you do, you won’t find the perfect pre-game preparation routine with just one try. After all, our bodies react differently. But don’t be disheartened, keep on tweaking and trying and you will find the best pre-game routine for you in the long run.

Reference Links:

https://coachtube.com/basketball/articles/game-day-guide-how-to-prepare-for-a-basketball-game/

https://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-for-a-Basketball-Game/

https://www.hoophounds.com/articles/best-ways-prepare-body-basketball-game/