How do you teach a basketball player to improve their jump?
Answer
A lot of it is plyometric exercises. We have come to really like the SportsmetricsTM plyometric program. It has a two pronged approach. First, it is made to prevent ACL tears. There is a litany of research to support it. It is also made to improve performance. It is a great sell to coaches to say 'you know what? We are not only going to help you prevent injuries, but your basketball players will be able to jump higher, run faster and go farther.' It is a 6 week program done three times a week. We don't charge for it. We more or less have the athletic trainer administer the program in the high school. So, my answer is plyometric activities.
Casey Unverzagt, PT, DPT, DSc, OCS, SCS, CSCS
Casey Unverzagt is the director of the Slippery Rock office of Wise Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine. He received his B.S. from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington and his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. He completed his Doctorate of Science in Orthopedic and Manual Physical Therapy from Andrews University in Michigan. Dr. Unverzagt completed a post-graduate sports residency in White Salmon, Washington, after which he became a board certified sports physical therapy specialist. Dr. Unverzagt is also board certified in orthopaedics, and is a certified manual physical therapist (CMPT) through NAIOMT. He currently teaches for Slippery Rock University, Scorebuilders, Evidence in Motion, and is the author of the popular EIM SCS Prep Course. He is also completing his fellowship in orthopaedic and manual therapy through Evidence in Motion. He lives in Grove City with his wife, Emily, and three boys: Josiah, Bereket, and Tamagn. With any free time, you'll find him running, cycling, or hiking.
Related Courses
1https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/clinical-use-reformer-for-lower-3329Clinical Use of the Reformer for the Lower BodyThe reformer is an effective tool for rehabilitating the lower body. This course will provide exercises appropriate for progressing lower extremity rehab from ankle injury, to post-op knees, to hip pain. Exercises focus on the concepts of motor control, stability/mobility system balance, movement competency and training functional movement patterning. This course is part three of our four part series on Pilates. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.auditory, textual, visual
The reformer is an effective tool for rehabilitating the lower body. This course will provide exercises appropriate for progressing lower extremity rehab from ankle injury, to post-op knees, to hip pain. Exercises focus on the concepts of motor control, stability/mobility system balance, movement competency and training functional movement patterning. This course is part three of our four part series on Pilates. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.
2https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/complex-and-chronic-impairment-in-4353Complex and Chronic Impairment in ConcussionThis webinar will include an exploration of the various etiologies of dysfunction following mTBI, including, headache, visual/oculomotor impairment, chronic dizziness, and pain. The challenging issue of prioritizing intervention and appropriate referral to other medical practitioners will be discussed. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT. Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for .5 hour of general and 1.5 hour of Direct Access CE credit.auditory, textual, visual
This webinar will include an exploration of the various etiologies of dysfunction following mTBI, including, headache, visual/oculomotor impairment, chronic dizziness, and pain. The challenging issue of prioritizing intervention and appropriate referral to other medical practitioners will be discussed. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.
Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for .5 hour of general and 1.5 hour of Direct Access CE credit.
3https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/clinical-use-reformer-for-upper-3330Clinical Use of the Reformer for the Upper BodyA reformer is an effective tool for rehabilitating the upper body. This course will provide exercises appropriate for progressing upper extremity rehab from scapular control to glenohumeral stability, to fully-integrated shoulder girdle training. Exercises focus on the concepts of motor control, stability/mobility system balance, movement competency and training functional movement patterning. This is part four of our four-part series on Pilates. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.auditory, textual, visual
'I like that she put her contact info for follow up questions and the explanation through video which helps visually display the shoulder complex compensations'Read Reviews
A reformer is an effective tool for rehabilitating the upper body. This course will provide exercises appropriate for progressing upper extremity rehab from scapular control to glenohumeral stability, to fully-integrated shoulder girdle training. Exercises focus on the concepts of motor control, stability/mobility system balance, movement competency and training functional movement patterning. This is part four of our four-part series on Pilates. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.
4https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/cultivating-sustainable-core-part-ii-3332Cultivating a Sustainable Core, Part II: Therapeutic Interventions from Yoga, Physical Therapy, and Sports Medicine in RehabilitationThis course is a continuation of the course titled, "Yoga Therapeutics to Cultivate A Sustainable Core" We build on the evidence-based and anatomical foundation of the dynamic core and apply the clinical reasoning of progressing patients and athletes through therapeutic exercises. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is appropriate for the PT,PTA and AT.auditory, textual, visual
This course is a continuation of the course titled, "Yoga Therapeutics to Cultivate A Sustainable Core" We build on the evidence-based and anatomical foundation of the dynamic core and apply the clinical reasoning of progressing patients and athletes through therapeutic exercises. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is appropriate for the PT,PTA and AT.
5https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/novel-programming-and-early-return-3333Novel Programming and Early Return to Sport Exposure Following ACL-REpidemiological studies show an increase in ACL injuries in young adults along with an increase in revisions. This course is designed to challenge the clinician’s reliance on protocol driven rehabilitation and focus on patient centered progressions to build rapport, improve compliance, and potentially reduce re-injury risk. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.auditory, textual, visual
Epidemiological studies show an increase in ACL injuries in young adults along with an increase in revisions. This course is designed to challenge the clinician’s reliance on protocol driven rehabilitation and focus on patient centered progressions to build rapport, improve compliance, and potentially reduce re-injury risk. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.