The Transforming Basketball Podcast

EP23: How to Apply Ecological Dynamics to Strength and Conditioning with Javier Miller-Estrada

Dec 12, 2023

The podcast explores the ecological approach to basketball performance, including skill development, strength training, warm-ups, and injury rehab. They emphasize the importance of embracing the environment and variability in training. The conversation also discusses integrating different practitioners in a basketball program for a shared approach.

31:34

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Quick takeaways

The ecological approach in basketball emphasizes integrating the environment and the athlete, focusing on dexterity, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities for improved skill acquisition and performance.

By expanding athletes' degrees of freedom through variability in training, coaches can enhance dexterity, decision-making, and overall performance in basketball.

Deep dives

The Ecological Approach to Basketball Performance

The podcast episode discusses the ecological approach to basketball performance and skill acquisition. The ecological approach emphasizes the importance of integrating the environment and the athlete, rather than separating them. Instead of practicing skills in isolation, the ecological approach encourages setting up training environments that mimic game-like situations, where athletes can make decisions based on the constraints of the environment. This approach focuses on dexterity, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities, allowing athletes to develop a wide range of movement solutions. It also highlights the importance of variability and ownership in the weight room and the warm-up routine. By incorporating an ecological approach into coaching and rehabilitation practices, athletes can improve their skill acquisition, prevent injuries, and enhance overall performance.

Introduction

2min

Embracing the Ecological Approach in Skill Development

4min

Scaling in Basketball Training: North America vs Europe

16min

The Importance of Degrees of Freedom in Coaching and Training

2min

Diverse and Dynamic Movements in Basketball Training

8min

In this episode, Alex Sarama interviews Javier Miller-Estrada to talk about the ecological approach to basketball performance. They discuss how this approach can be applied in various aspects of the game, including skill development, strength training, warm-ups, and injury rehabilitation. Javi emphasizes the importance of embracing the environment and the athlete as a unified system, rather than separating them. He also highlights the need for variability and adaptability in training to better prepare athletes for the dynamic nature of basketball. The conversation concludes with a discussion on integrating different practitioners within a basketball program to create a shared understanding and approach.

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Key Takeaways:

1:15 - Javier’s view of an ecological approach in basketball

7:55 - The importance and reward of being present as a coach

11:55 - Javier on how to use an ecological approach in strength and conditioning

16:00 - Knowing ones strengths and having a shared vision: integrating strength and conditioning with other departments

20:00 - Warmup question, how can we make this more alive?

26:36 - Rehabbing in context.

Article Mentioned:

Motor learning methods that induce high practice variability reduce kinematic and kinetic risk factors of non-contact ACL injury

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167945721000531