“Strong enough” in basketball isn’t about the amount of volume/intensity an athlete can handle in the weight room. It’s about having the strength that actually shows up on court. A basketball athlete is strong enough when they can control their body through dynamic movement, produce force efficiently, and maintain posture, balance, and coordination at game speed. It means their tissues can tolerate and handle decelerations, landings, and contact without breaking down through a match or demanding season. The strength they build in the weight room transfers to holding their line, creating separation, and sustaining performance over long minutes and heavy schedules. In short, being strong enough is the ability to move well, handle force, stay durable, and repeat your best actions consistently not just lift heavy.

As an athletic trainer who works in baseball primarily with rehab and return to play progressions on the minor league end of things, I am curious how others progress players back from lower extremity injuries on the running progression front. We have recently started using yardage data to program how much and often we are running and yardage goals prior to getting back into games as well as the standard intensity progression. We have also been able to utilize average times around the base paths to make sure they are reaching a normal intensity before returning to games. Does anyone have any additional metrics they look at when progressing running or looking at readiness for return to games from a lower body injury?

@enjohns7 Have Simple Programming. Push/Pull Method PUSH–PULL TRAINING SPLIT PUSH = “Pressing Muscles” Main muscle groups: Chest Shoulders (front & lateral delts) Triceps Quads (if training lower push) Upper Push Exercises Horizontal press Bench Press, DB Bench, Push-ups Vertical press Overhead Press, Arnold Press, Machine Press Shoulder isolation Lateral Raises, Front Raises Triceps Dips, Skullcrushers, Cable Pushdowns Lower Push Exercises (optional) Squats Leg Press Step-ups Lunges Quad extensions PULL DAY = “Pulling Muscles” These muscles pull weight toward the body. Main muscle groups: Back (lats, traps, rhomboids) Rear delts Biceps Hamstrings & glutes (if training lower pull) Upper Pull Exercises Category Examples Vertical pull Pull-ups, Lat pulldowns Horizontal pull Barbell Rows, Seated Rows Upper-back Face pulls, Rear delt fly Biceps Barbell curls, Hammer curls Lower Pull Exercises Deadlifts / RDLs Hip thrusts Hamstring curls Back extensions

When the season is on the line, how do you keep athletes at their best? What tips or go-tos have you seen that consistently help them physically and mentally?

Whether it’s a new high-tech tool or a tried-and-true staple, what’s the one thing you reach for every day—something you couldn’t do your job without and wish everyone in your field knew about?

Speaking to the nutrition piece, there are several things to consider. Education being the most important, they need to understand WHY it is important to eat breakfast and WHAT they should be including at all meals and snacks. As Jarod mentioned, there are so many great resources to provide this education located within the Fieldhouse and you can search by subject and type of resource (pdf, poster to hang in ATC room, video to show, etc) Insights for Better Performance - Gatorade Performance Partner As you mentioned the meals provided by the cafeteria may not cover all the needs of these student athletes so having nutrient-dense items to supplement is important (protein shakes, protein bars, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches being some simple examples). Adding nut butters to smoothies, oatmeal, yogurt is a great way to increase calories, healthy fat and add some protein. Adding snacks between meals that are more nutrient dense and have protein will help to increase overall intake as well (trail mix + beef jerky, pbj, meat/cheese and cracker snack packs, etc). As Jarod also mentioned having some of these items available in the training room would be a great reminder to them to make sure to be consistent with intake. Hope this helps and happy fueling!!!

Hi, my name is Kate Roth and I am currently a senior in high school and a part of the sports medicine team and club that we have at my school. I was one of the athletic trainers for our football team and am hoping to continue sports medicine throughout college and after. I am trying to look for a summer internship that I could apply for preferably with a football team. I have been having a hard time figuring out where I could apply or if this is possible so I would love your help! Thank you so much!

I researched the best electrolyte packets because I have started training more often and noticed that plain water isn’t enough to keep me hydrated and energized. After spending the past few days reading reviews and comparing different brands, I came across several expert recommendations from Healthline, Forbes Health, and Men’s Journal. So far, the two that keep showing up on top are: Instant Hydration Electrolytes Powder Packets https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Hydration-Electrolytes-Powder-Packets/dp/B0DDLXZL8C/?th=1 HydroMATE Electrolyte Powder Variety Pack https://www.amazon.com/Electrolytes-Drink-Mix-Variety-Sticks/dp/B09GKX9J39/?th=1 I am mainly looking for something that helps with post-workout recovery, hydration after long days in the heat, and avoiding fatigue. Taste and sugar content also matter a lot to me. I prefer something that isn’t overly sweet but still effective.Has anyone here tried either of these, or found another brand that works even better? I would love to hear your experiences and which one actually makes you feel the difference.Thanks in advance for any recommendations!

Hi Coaches, Are you seeing a significant number of non-contact ACL tears in youth males and females or more in one than the other? What are your thoughts on how to reduce the potential for non-contact ACL injuries in high school athletes?

Hi @Cammcnally4 - Thanks for your question! I recommend dropping this question for Marquis directly in the AMA thread here .