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Imagine, if you will, someone jumping rope. Most of us tend to picture either grade school children jumping double-dutch at recess or professional boxers training for a big fight. Rarely do we imagine anything in between. However, jumping rope can be extremely beneficial for any young athletes looking to improve their jumping ability, speed or agility. These are crucial skills for everything from tennis to basketball. Here are five jump rope exercises professional trainer Shelby T …

No matter what sport they play, most athletes can benefit from improving their foot speed and agility. Fast feet can help tennis players adjust to fast serves and hard body shots, allow basketball players to shuffle and stay with shifty ball handlers and give football players an edge when making cuts in the open field. Luckily, just like strength or jumping ability, it is possible to improve your agility with careful training. Many coaches and athletes work on foot speed using agi …

One of the best ways for athletes of all ages and skill levels to develop their jumping ability is through plyometric exercises. Plyometrics are exercises in which muscles exert maximum force over short intervals of time with the goal of increasing power.  When applied specifically to jump training, the resulting increase in explosiveness can help athletes jump both higher and quicker, which can not only help them become more effective in sports like basketball and volleyball, but can …

Because of its association with weightlifting and bodybuilding, many people incorrectly assume that strength training is not appropriate for kids. In fact, not only can strength training help kids simply look and feel better, but it can put them on a path to better health and wellness for their entire lives. Strength training can strengthen kids' bones, help promote healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels and help them maintain a healthy weight in addition to strengthening sport-specific m …

Many basketball players and coaches divide their training programs into two distinct categories: off-court physical training and on-court skills training. During off-court sessions, players use a variety of weight, resistance and plyometric equipment to get their bodies in peak shape for the season. When working on their dribbling, passing and shooting skills on the court, players tend not to use much equipment besides a few basketballs, a hoop and maybe a few cones. This distinction tends …