PREPARATION OF THE BODY THE FITNESS DEMANDS FOR YOUR ROLE IN BASKETBALL Choose one activity. Select one aspect of fitness and say why this is important to your performance in this activity. 4

First identify the role you play and the aspect of fitness most relevant to this. I play a forward and have key roles in offence and defence. My performance relies heavily on high levels of Cardio Respiratory Endurance to avoid fatigue and keep my skill level high throughout the game. Cardio respiratory endurance is the ability of the heart and lungs to keep supplying oxygen in the bloodstream to the body, to provide the energy to sustain physical activity over a period of time.

Accuracy in my passing is vital to our team; to allow my team to keep possession of the ball. This accuracy will be achieved if I have control of the ball before passing, as the opportunity to pass may only occur for a fraction of a second. Accuracy is also important when I shoot both before and during the flight of the ball. I seldom move around the court at top speed, but move at a controlled speed for the length of the game with bursts of acceleration, performed under control and with the ball under control at all times.

It requires co ordination of the actions of the hands, arms and body to give the ball direction. Without cardio respiratory endurance, my accuracy of movement would gradually deteriorate as the game goes on and fatigue sets in. Movement on the court during the game is very demanding as I am continually moving from defence to offence and back again.

For example, moving from a position at the back of the zone defence, into the fast break offensive strategy, filling the side lane, then back down the court to defend after scoring or another attack opportunity. I must be able to do this quickly each time. This is even more demanding if we do not score and the opposition try to counter attack with a fast break.

I am also expected to keep effective movement up within attacking situations such as trying to move to get free to receive a pass and also moving out of areas to make space for my team mates cutting towards the basket. This all requires a high level of cardio respiratory endurance to keep involved in this throughout the game.

As a guard I have to take the ball up the court, sometimes up the middle channel in the fast break, continuously in the game. This requires cardio respiratory endurance so that I am able to attack effectively with my team mates for the 40 minutes. Cardio respiratory endurance is the ability of the heart and lungs to keep supplying oxygen in the bloodstream to the body, to provide the energy to sustain physical activity over a period of time.

. I must be able to concentrate so I can see players moving into spaces behind the defenders and make accurate, fast passes to them. If I am physically fatigued I will start to lose concentration as I become mentally fatigued. Then I will make poor passes and not move as efficiently round the court.

I need to be able to move with changes of direction and bursts of speed to get past defenders and this requires a steady level of cardio respiratory endurance so I do not get tired legs and lose control. Sometimes in defence I am required to put more pressure on the ball handler if we are doing a zone. This requires me to move around more than the other players at the top of the key so I need a better level of cardio respiratory endurance to ensure I do not cause unnecessary fouls.

Sometimes on the fast break, I need to sprint often to the other end of the court. When we have successfully penetrated the key I will drive to the basket to save time if there is no defender. I need to have the endurance to jump and make the shot. Movement on the court during the game is very demanding as I am continually moving from defence to offence and back again. This is even more demanding if we do not score and the opposition try to counter attack with a fast break.