by Todd Pheifer

Created on: November 12, 2009

Basketball can be an extremely demanding sport from a physical standpoint, as athletes must be both strong and athletic in order to play the sport well. Players that play in high school, college, and the National Basketball Association (NBA) are often in excellent physical shape, but when people watch them live or on television, it is not uncommon to see a player sweating profusely from the very beginning of the game. In order to be effective throughout the entire game, players must go through rigorous training in order to have a reserve of energy when it comes to the fourth quarter. Therefore, here are a few thoughts on how to increase stamina in basketball.

Basic running

It is probably an oversimplification to state that basketball players simply have to get "in shape", but in many ways this is the core of the issue. If someone is going to play basketball competitively, they must be able to run for an extended period of time. This can be attained by some athletes by jogging for several miles or using workout equipment such as exercise bikes, stair masters, and elliptical machines. In general terms, a conditioned athlete should probably be able to run several miles without being completely exhausted. This type of fitness requires time and attention which is why some younger players have trouble when they do not start getting in shape until right before the start of the season.

Speed and agility

Another way to increase stamina is to run in a more concentrated fashion on the basketball court. Basketball coaches are often famous for making their players run lines, or as some players call them, "suicides." The combinations may vary, but they often start with all players standing on the end line of the court. They sprint in the following manner:

1. End line to free throw line

2. Free throw line back to end line

3. End line to half court

4. Half court back to end line

5. End line to opposite free throw line

6. Opposite free throw line back to end line

7. End line to opposite end line

8. Opposite end line back to original end line

This entire run is continuous, and players are supposed to run as fast as they possibly can. Some coaches will make players do a certain number of sets, with small breaks in between. Other coaches will add on sets if they believe players are not putting forth their best effort. Finally, some coaches will run a few sets and then give a player an opportunity to shoot free throws. If they make the free throws, the running stops. If they miss,

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