Andrew Pace
Suicides is a high-intensity conditioning drill used in basketball practices around the world. It involves players sprinting progressively longer distances to various lines on a basketball court and back to the starting line, with the goal of improving speed, agility, and endurance. The number of sprints, turnaround points, and distances covered can vary depending on the available space, training level, and specific sport. While suicides can be an effective conditioning drill, some consider it controversial due to its intensity and negative connotations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | High-intensity conditioning drill |
| Benefits | Improves speed, agility, endurance, and speed endurance |
| Use cases | Warm-up, punishment for losing a drill or losing focus, strength training |
| Number of runs | Typically 5, but can vary |
| Time | A standard team completes it in around 34 seconds |
| Distance | No pre-established distances; depends on available space, training level, training goal, and primary sport |
| Starting point | Baseline |
| Lines to touch | Free throw line, half-court line, opposite free throw line, opposite baseline |
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What You'll Learn
Start at the baseline
"Suicides" is a conditioning drill used in basketball practices to improve players' speed, agility, endurance, and "speed endurance". It involves players sprinting to progressively further lines on the court and back.
To start the drill, players line up on the baseline, spreading out evenly to prevent collisions as they will be running in opposite directions. The coach then blows a whistle to signal the start.
Starting at the baseline, players sprint to the free-throw line and back. They then return to the baseline before moving on to the next sprint. This first sprint is the shortest, with players running to the free throw line closest to the baseline.
After touching the free-throw line, players return to the baseline and prepare for the next sprint. For the second sprint, players sprint to the halfway line and back. Again, they return to the baseline before moving on to the next sprint.
The suicides drill is a challenging workout that can help players improve their speed and endurance. It is important for players to maintain their lane throughout the drill to avoid collisions.
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Run to the free-throw line and back
"Suicides" is a high-intensity conditioning drill used in basketball practices worldwide. It involves sprinting to progressively further lines on the court and back. The drill helps players improve their speed, agility, and endurance, as well as their cardio and physical fitness. It also helps them develop court awareness and may boost their confidence as they learn the court's boundaries.
The "suicide" drill begins with players setting up on the baseline, after which they sprint to the free-throw line closest to them and back to the baseline. This first sprint covers a distance of 30 feet. It's important for players to spread out evenly before starting to prevent collisions, as they will be running in opposite directions.
After touching the free-throw line, players return to the baseline they started on. This completes the first leg of the drill. It's crucial to touch each line and return to the baseline before proceeding to the next line.
The coach will blow a whistle to signal the start of the drill, ensuring everyone begins together. Players should maintain their lane throughout the drill for safety and to avoid confusion.
The "suicide" drill continues with players progressing to further lines on the court, such as the half-court line, the opposite free-throw line, and eventually, the opposite baseline. Each leg of the drill involves sprinting to a line and returning to the baseline before advancing to the next line. This repetitive back-and-forth movement is what gives the drill its name, "suicide."
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Run to the halfway line and back
"Suicides" is a conditioning drill used by basketball coaches to improve players' speed, agility, and endurance. It involves sprinting to progressively further lines on the court and back.
To perform the "suicide" drill, players start at the baseline and run to each line, touching each line and returning to the baseline before sprinting to the next line. The lines to be touched in order are the free throw line, the half-court line, the opposite free throw line, and the opposite baseline.
For the half-court line, players will turn at the halfway point and run back to the baseline where they started. They will then head back down the floor to the free throw line farthest from them, touch that line, and once again return to the baseline.
The total distance covered in this drill depends on the length of the court. For a professional or college court that is 94 feet long, a sprint to the halfway line and back is 94 feet. For a junior high or high school court that is 84 feet long, the same sprint covers 84 feet.
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Run to the other free-throw line and back
"Suicides" is a conditioning drill used in basketball to improve players' speed, agility, and endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. It involves players sprinting to progressively further lines on the court and back.
To begin the drill, players start at the baseline. They then run to the free-throw line closest to them and back to the baseline. Next, they sprint to the free-throw line farthest from them and once again return to the baseline they started on.
For the "run to the other free-throw line and back" portion of the suicide drill, players start by sprinting to the free-throw line closest to the baseline they started on. This is usually a distance of 30 feet. They then turn and sprint back to the baseline they started from. It is important that players touch each line before sprinting back.
Players should spread out evenly along the baseline to prevent running into each other, as they will be running in opposite directions throughout the drill. The coach will blow their whistle to signal the start of the drill.
After completing the sprint to the nearest free-throw line and back, players will continue to the next portion of the suicide drill, which involves sprinting to the half-court line and back.
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Run to the opposite baseline and back
"Suicides" is a conditioning drill used by basketball coaches worldwide. It involves players sprinting to progressively further lines on the court and back.
For the final leg of the suicide drill, players sprint down to the opposite baseline and then back to the baseline where they started. This marks the end of one repetition.
Players should spread out evenly at the starting baseline to prevent collisions, as players will be running in opposite directions. The coach will blow their whistle to signal the start of the drill.
The "suicide" drill is a short but intense conditioning exercise, testing speed, agility, and endurance. It mimics the quick bursts of energy required during a basketball game. It also helps players develop cardio, physical fitness, and court awareness.
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