On January 25, 2022, the Golden State Warriors partnered with the University of California, Berkeley to host a clinic for coaches, athletes, and sports enthusiasts focused on the role of strength training in enhancing basketball performance. The event, which was held at the Chase Center in San Francisco, featured a combination of lectures, hands-on demonstrations, and case studies that explored the latest research in sports science, particularly in the areas of muscle strength, injury prevention, and performance enhancement for basketball players.
The key figure behind the clinic was Dr. Alan Carter, a sports physiologist and strength and conditioning coach for the Warriors, who has worked with professional athletes across various sports disciplines. Dr. Carter opened the session with a discussion on the importance of strength training for basketball players, particularly for improving explosiveness, endurance, and agility. “Basketball is a sport that demands a combination of speed, power, and endurance, and strength training helps develop the foundation for all these attributes,” Dr. Carter said.
A significant portion of the clinic was dedicated to biomechanical analysis, where attendees observed the movement patterns of professional basketball players during specific drills. Dr. Carter’s team used motion capture technology to assess the efficiency of movements such as jumping, cutting, and pivoting, and then applied strength training techniques to improve those movements. “By identifying an athlete’s biomechanical weaknesses, we can tailor a strength training regimen that helps them become more explosive while reducing their risk of injury,” explained Dr. Carter.
The Warriors’ head coach, Steve Kerr, also participated in the clinic, emphasizing how strength training is integrated into the team’s overall training philosophy. “We’ve made strength training a central part of our program because we know that without it, our players won’t be able to perform at their highest level,” Kerr said. He explained how the team uses a mix of traditional weightlifting, functional training, and injury-prevention exercises to build long-term performance and maintain player health throughout the season.
An exciting part of the clinic was a live demonstration by Warriors player Klay Thompson, who showed how strength training has helped him recover from multiple injuries. “Strength training is not just about lifting heavy weights,” Thompson explained. “It’s about building a solid foundation to protect your body when you’re playing at the highest level. For me, it’s been crucial in helping me stay on the court after dealing with knee and Achilles injuries.”
In addition to strength training, the clinic explored the psychological aspects of performance training, with Dr. Nancy White, a sports psychologist, discussing how mental toughness plays a key role in athletic performance. “The mind and body work together, and a player’s ability to push through physical fatigue and mental barriers is often what separates the best from the rest,” Dr. White said.
The clinic provided a valuable opportunity for coaches and athletes to learn firsthand how sports science is applied at the professional level. The insights shared during the event demonstrated how strength training, when properly integrated with biomechanics and mental preparation, can have a profound impact on performance. As professional basketball continues to evolve, the role of sports science will remain a critical component in shaping the future of the game.
