Greece beat USA in the 2006 Basketball World Championships, so the ‘Redeem Team’ has had this game pencilled in for a while. There can be no excuses for this set of players, they have compiled the best group of players since 1992. However……

FIBA basketball is very different to NBA basketball, that much has been obvious. Referees call things like travelling more frequently but are happy to let the games get pretty physical. Plays are generally quicker but also more messy, unlike the controlled plays in the NBA. Teams like Lithuania, Greece, Argentina and Spain all move the ball about seemingly randomly, trying to find a free player who will hit an outside shot. The only team who predominantly drive to the hoop are USA.

Dwayne Wade has been superb and seems to understand what is required from the ‘Redeem Team’. Against Greece he said his team needed to force turnovers in defence, run the ball up court and share the ball. He has been sensational from the bench in the opening two games, although maybe he’s just more fresh after missing lots of last season.

One player who isn’t adapting but doesn’t really need to is LeBron James. He’s the best individual presence in the world, so powerful and physically dominating that no one, in FIBA basketball or the NBA, can handle him. The Europeans are receiving a serious lesson in how to attack the rim, and he is perhaps single handedly influencing a change in style of these games.

Learn how to improve your jumping performance with this horizontal and vertical jumping programme

Here’s some guidelines on how basketball players can get the most out of their plyometric training to increase their jumping ability and attack the hoop:

Plyometric exercises must replicate the movement patterns and speed of movement of the jumping activity as closely as possible.

Athletes should be fresh and rested when performing plyometric exercises.

Basketball is fatiguing so quality jumping power should be developed in separate workouts, some in optimum conditions, others under conditions of fatigue. Exercises should also be performed on basketball courts where possible.

The mechanics of the jumping skill in basketball must be optimised. For example, players must be aware of the importance of using their free limbs to aid height and distance. However, due to the nature of basketball, perfect technique is not always possible. To this end practices should be employed that work on balance, kinaesthetic awareness and proprioception. These will maximise jumping potential and reduce the chances of injury, as the player is able to better control the position of their body in space, their proximity to other players and their landing.

Power combination training that combines weights and plyometrics in the same workouts should be utilised throughout the training period. Research indicates that both exercise modes affect the other in a way that enhances the power generation of fast-twitch muscle fibre.

In the end USA eased past Greece on the road to redemption, winning 92-69. Chris Bosh and Kobe Bryant top scored with 18 points each. Dwayne Wade continued his fine form with 16 points and LeBron James had a solid all-round game netting 13 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 blocks.

I don’t expect to be writing about basketball again until the final, in which I’ve no doubt that this USA team will win gold.

Learn how to improve your jumping performance with this horizontal and vertical jumping programme

Related links:

Strength Training for Basketball - how to improve your strength and power on the court

Increase Vertical Leap and Improve Jumping Ability with Plyometrics