EFFECTS OF PLYOMETRICS ON THE ABILITIES OF THE JUMP, FOOTWORK AND THE CHEST PASS IN COMPETITIVE BASKETBALL PLAYERS

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of plyometrics on jump, footwork and chest pass ability in competitive basketball players. Ten male basketball players competing at the college level in Japan practiced plyometrics by using the drop jump and the medicine ball throw three sessions per week for seven weeks. All players had continued regular training and competition in basketball over ten years. Height and contact time of the rebound drop jump and the jump shot were tested for each player along with sprint running velocity in a straight direction and with four footwork phases for changing direction, ball velocity and contact time of hands for chest pass pre and post plyometrics. Drop jump training significantly shortened contact time but did not enhance jumping height of the jump shot with a basketball. Moreover, drop jump training significantly shortened average velocity of sprint running with four footwork phases for changing direction, but did not enhance sprint running in a straight direction. Medicine ball training significantly enhanced ball velocity and contact time of hands for the chest pass. These results suggest that plyometrics, by using the drop jump and medicine ball throw, are effective training methods for improving jump, footwork and chest pass ability in competitive basketball players.