Hooper Therapy

This can be life-changing for anyone in run/jump sports

This only takes 5-10 minutes but can be life-changing for anyone in run/jump sports.

It’s mini-workout #5 of 5 in my Hoop Dreams program, which is meant to address the realities of being a basketball player.

The biggest gap left by our sport is our strength BELOW the game: Our legs almost never bend below halfway when we play, so over time our knees become weaker and more painful than they should be.

The remedy is simple: bring up ability in the range missed by the game.

Five sets of 10 bottom-half reps, with 30-60 second breaks, can be miraculous if done consistently at your pain-free level.

Counterbalance helps avoid pain as you get started, and unless you’re reading this from a deep squat, heel elevation can also help you feel better in a deep squat, with added knee strength benefits.

Thus, a progression could be from plate (easier to reach) to dumbbell (heavier and closer than plate) to hex bar or barbell.

Barbell is simple and gyms usually have squat racks. However, a hex bar is safer because you can just set the bar down if your legs are failing (rather than wind up with a rounded lower back under excessive load, a common cause of lower back injury).

I developed a custom podium with heel elevation. Because it’s made in the USA (and doesn’t have to ship from China), it’ll only be 6-8 weeks until a full batch is ready for customers.

I also offer USA-made slantboards, as well as ramps and wedges (which work great, but won’t be continued since I haven’t found adequate USA manufacturing for them).

Any of these can get the job done.

The main reason such a simple solution was elusive for so long is the 1970s university misinterpretation (and subsequent mandate) of “no knees over toes,” which prevented deep strengthening.

Now this mistake is well-documented, and we are advancing in an era of exploring SOLUTIONS.

Yours in Solutions,

Ben

For coaching through my Hoop Dreams, Knee Ability, and other programs: atgonlinecoaching.com

For my equipment and wide-toe-box basketball and exercise shoes: atgequipment.com (all products happen to be on sale this week for Valentine’s Day)

And to see if I’ve certified a coach near you: map.atgforcoaches.com