Adriano Vretaros

Speed plays a crucial role in a basketball game. The specific speed in basketball is manifested as: game speed, reaction speed, movement speed, displacement speed and endurance speed. Each of these types of speeds has special features for their analysis, interpretation and training methodology. The speed of the game is related to the pace (pacing) printed by the teams. The reaction speed depends on the decision making of the sensory organs (visual, auditory and kinesthetic). In the speed of movement, the frequency of motor actions takes an important role. The displacement speed consists of assessing the player's body in space-time. Finally, endurance speed aims to maintain the power levels in each type of speed. The integration of the different speeds will allow the basketball player to achieve high performance levels. Strength and conditioning coaches must understand how each speed works to create effective training methodologies in their professional practice.

Basketball is a modality that uses different bioenergetic systems: ATP-CP, glycolysis and oxidative.
Endurance training in basketball should focus on these three bioenergetic systems in a rational manner and with a properly periodized program.
Among specific methodological resources for endurance training comes the so-called small-sided conditioning games (SSCG).

The SSCG respects the specificity of the sport when trying to reproduce simulated games in small spaces with the same characteristics of a match.
Before elaborating any SSCG prescription, knowledge of the demands of the game is necessary.
However, for an effective applicability of SSCG, it is necessary to know how to modulate some variables, namely: size of the court, number of players, during time, changes to rule and tactical system.

Therefore, this presentation discusses the aspects involved in SSCG and how to develop appropriate endurance training stimuli for basketball athletes.
Key Words: basketball, endurance training, small-sided conditioning games, strength and conditioning, sports training.