Andrew Pace
Suicides is a conditioning drill used in basketball to increase the fitness of players. It involves sprinting different lengths of the basketball court. The total distance run in a suicide drill depends on the type of basketball court. For example, on a junior high basketball court, one suicide is 370 feet, while on a high school court, it is 420 feet, and on a college or NBA court, it is 470 feet. The drill starts with players lining up on the baseline, then sprinting to the free-throw line and back, then to the half-court line and back, then to the opposite free-throw line and back, and finally, a full-court sprint from one baseline to the other and back. While suicides can be effective for conditioning, some experts recommend against their use, especially with younger players, due to the risk of overuse and stress.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Description | "Suicides" is a conditioning drill used by basketball coaches to increase the conditioning level of each player on the team. |
| How it works | Players sprint to progressively further lines on the court and back. |
| Starting point | Players start at the baseline. |
| Distance covered | The total number of feet run is 470. |
| Number of suicides for a mile | It would take just over 11 suicides on a college or professional court to equal a mile. |
| Number of suicides for a mile on a high school court | It takes 12.57 suicides to make a mile on a high school basketball court. |
| Number of suicides for a mile on a junior high basketball court | It takes 14.27 suicides to make a mile on a junior high basketball court. |
| Sprint to the nearest free-throw line and back | 30 feet or 38 feet |
| Sprint to the half-court line and back | 84 feet or 94 feet |
| Sprint to the farthest free-throw line and back | 130 feet or 150 feet |
| Sprint to the opposite baseline and back | 168 feet or 188 feet |
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What You'll Learn
Suicides in basketball are a conditioning drill
To perform a suicide drill, players line up on the baseline underneath the basket. The coach blows a whistle, signalling the players to sprint as fast as they can to the nearest free-throw line and back to the original baseline. They then sprint from the baseline to the half-court line and back, followed by a sprint from the baseline to the opposite free-throw line and back. Finally, players run a full-court sprint from one baseline to the opposite baseline and back to the original baseline.
The total distance covered in a suicide drill varies depending on the type of basketball court. For an NBA or college basketball court, which is 94 feet long, one suicide equals 470 feet. This means it takes just over 11 suicides to complete a mile. For a high school basketball court, which is 84 feet long, one suicide is approximately 420 feet, requiring 12.57 suicides to complete a mile. On a junior high basketball court, which is 74 feet long, one suicide is about 370 feet, and it would take 14.27 suicides to make a mile.
While the suicide drill can be an effective conditioning exercise, some coaches and parents have expressed concerns about its intensity and potential strain on the muscles, joints, and cardio-pulmonary system, especially for younger players. It is recommended that suicides be used cautiously and only at the high school level and above. For younger players, modifications such as shorter sprints, fewer repetitions, and longer rest periods can reduce the intensity of the drill. Combining the suicide drill with other exercises, such as strength training or ball-handling drills, can also help improve conditioning and player safety.
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They involve sprinting different lengths of the court
Suicides is a conditioning drill used in basketball to increase the fitness and endurance of players. It involves sprinting different lengths of the basketball court, with players running to progressively further lines on the court and back.
The coach will have all players set up on the baseline, and they will sprint to the following lines, returning to the baseline after touching each line:
- The free-throw line and back (30 feet on a high school court, 38 feet on an NBA or college court)
- The half-court line and back 84 feet on a high school court, 94 feet on an NBA or college court
- The farthest free-throw line and back 130 feet on a high school court, 150 feet on an NBA or college court
- The opposite baseline and back 168 feet on a high school court, 188 feet on an NBA or college court
The total distance covered in one suicide drill is 420 feet on a high school court and 470 feet on an NBA or college court. This means it would take 12.57 suicides on a high school court and just over 11 suicides on an NBA or college court to equal one mile.
The suicide drill is a high-intensity workout that improves speed, agility, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. It also helps players maintain their energy during transitions and quick bursts of energy in a game. However, it is important to be cautious of the risk of injury, especially with repetitive sprinting without a proper warm-up.
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The total distance run in suicides varies by court size
Suicides are a conditioning drill used by basketball coaches to increase the conditioning level of each player on the team. They are high-intensity drills that involve sprinting different lengths of the basketball court. The total distance run in suicides varies by court size.
For instance, a junior high basketball court is 74 feet long, while a high school basketball court is 84 feet long. A college or NBA basketball court is 94 feet long.
The number of suicides required to make a mile varies depending on the court size. On a junior high basketball court, one suicide equals 370 feet, and it takes 14.27 suicides to make a mile. On a high school basketball court, one suicide equals 420 feet, and it takes 12.57 suicides to make a mile. On a college or NBA basketball court, one suicide equals 470 feet, and it takes 11.23 suicides to make a mile.
The suicide drill involves players lining up on the baseline and sprinting to various lines on the court, such as the free-throw line, half-court line, and opposite baseline, ensuring they return to the baseline after each touch. The drill improves players' speed, agility, and coordination while also increasing their heart rate.
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Suicides can be harmful to young players
Suicides, also known as suicide drills, are a common conditioning exercise in basketball, involving sprinting to progressively further lines on the court and back. Players start at the baseline, sprint to the free-throw line and back, then to half-court and back, then to the opposite free-throw line and back, and finally, they sprint from one baseline to the opposite baseline and back. This drill is used to test speed, agility, and endurance, mimicking the quick bursts of energy needed during a basketball game.
While suicides can be an effective conditioning drill for older players, they may not be suitable for younger players for several reasons. Firstly, the high-intensity nature of the drill may be too physically demanding for younger players, potentially leading to overuse injuries, muscle strain, and joint pain. The body is still growing and developing during youth, making it more susceptible to injury from repetitive, high-impact exercises like suicides.
Secondly, the name "suicide" carries a negative connotation, which may be off-putting or disturbing to younger players and their parents. The Positive Coaching Alliance, for example, recommends against using the term due to its negative implications.
Thirdly, spending too much time on non-basketball conditioning drills can be detrimental to the overall development of young players. It is more beneficial for younger players to engage in high-intensity, full-court basketball drills that improve their skills and fitness simultaneously. This way, they can develop their ball-handling skills while also working on their physical conditioning in a more well-rounded manner.
Finally, the suicide drill may not be developmentally appropriate for very young children. It is important for coaches and parents to consider the intensity of the drill and whether it aligns with the physical and emotional capabilities of the players. Modifications can be made to the drill to reduce its intensity, such as shorter sprints, fewer repetitions, and longer rest periods, but even then, it may still be too strenuous for very young players.
In conclusion, while suicides can be an effective conditioning tool for older basketball players, they may pose risks and drawbacks for younger players. It is essential to prioritize the safety and well-being of young athletes, and if suicides are to be implemented, they should be introduced gradually and in a way that is appropriate for the players' age and development.
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Suicides are also known as a 1-court suicide
Suicides, also known as a 1-court suicide, are a high-intensity conditioning drill used in basketball practices. It involves players sprinting different lengths of the basketball court. The players line up on the baseline and, at the sound of the coach's whistle, sprint to the following lines, making sure to return to the baseline after touching each line. The players should spread out evenly to prevent collisions, as they will be running in opposite directions.
The distances covered in a suicide drill depend on the type of basketball court being used. Junior high courts are 74 feet long, high school courts are 84 feet long, and college and NBA courts are 94 feet long.
For a high school basketball court, a suicide drill would involve:
- Sprinting to the free-throw line and back (38 feet)
- Sprinting to the half-court line and back (84 feet)
- Sprinting to the opposite free-throw line and back (130 feet)
- A full-court sprint from one baseline to the other and back (168 feet)
For a college or NBA basketball court, the distances are slightly longer:
- Sprinting to the free-throw line and back (38 feet)
- Sprinting to the half-court line and back (94 feet)
- Sprinting to the opposite free-throw line and back (150 feet)
- A full-court sprint from one baseline to the other and back (188 feet)
The total distance covered in a suicide drill on a high school court is 420 feet, while on a college or NBA court, it is 470 feet. This means that it takes just over 11 suicides on a college or professional court to equal one mile. The math changes slightly for a high school court, where it takes 12.57 suicides to make a mile.
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Frequently asked questions
8 suicides on a junior high basketball court, which is 74 feet long, would be approximately 1120 feet.
8 suicides on a high school basketball court, which is 84 feet long, would be approximately 1280 feet.
8 suicides on a college or NBA basketball court, which is 94 feet long, would be 1440 feet.
It takes approximately 14.27 suicides to make a mile on a junior high basketball court.
