Basketball Training in Montclair, NJ: Vertical Jump, Quickness and Healthy Knees
The basketball players who stand out are explosive, quick and healthy enough to stay on the floor all season. At Char Sports Performance, we train youth to college players to jump higher, move faster and land safely.
Inquire about Basketball training today
What we train
- Jumping and landing: plyometrics, with landing well taught first.
- Strength: legs and hips for higher jumps and quicker first steps, plus upper-body and core strength for finishing through contact.
- Quickness and change of direction: for slides, closeouts and crossovers.
- Conditioning: short, intense bursts with brief recoveries.
- By position: first-step quickness for guards, and lower-body and core strength for post play and rebounding for forwards and centers.
Why it helps
- Landing softly with good knee and hip alignment is a key part of protecting knees and ankles.
- The season is long, so in-season training keeps players strong without adding fatigue; the off-season builds strength and explosiveness.
- Workouts adapt to each athlete, including through growth spurts.
How it works
Every high school and college athlete starts with an evaluation of their individual strengths and weaknesses. Group sessions run 80 minutes: 40 minutes of strength work and 40 minutes of speed and conditioning on our 6,000 sq ft indoor turf at 180 Bloomfield Ave, Floor 3, in Montclair. We recommend two to four sessions a week, depending on whether an athlete is in or out of season. Younger basketball players build the base in our Youth and Junior High programs, and older players train in High School + College. Want one-on-one coaching or a session for a whole team? See Personal & Team Training.
Parent FAQs
My kid just had a growth spurt. Should training change?
Often, yes. Coordination can dip during growth spurts, so workouts should be adapted to the athlete.
Can training really improve vertical jump?
Strength and plyometric training are widely used to improve jumping. Results vary, which is why we start with an evaluation.
Should basketball players lift in season?
Yes, at a lower volume, to stay strong without adding fatigue.
Tell us about your athlete, their position and their goals, and we'll build a plan.
