Power is a combination of both absolute strength and speed of movement. Increase either one (without reducing the other) and you increase explosive power.

Strength training for basketball should fall into some distinct phases over the course of a season. If you can build a high level of maximal strength first, you can then convert much of those gains into explosive power. A very effective form of power training is called plyometrics or jump training - and it's ideally suited to basketball. Plyometrics combines elements of both speed and strength in single movement patterns. But you must have a solid strength base before you move on to these types of sessions.

Pitching, throwing, hitting and fielding involve a considerable amount of transverse plane of rotational motion. Power and speed in the transverse plane enable the player to hit the ball harder. Balance and coordination through the transverse plane, coupled with hand-eye coordination, enable the player to make consistent, solid contact with the ball.

Your ability to perform repeated, high-intensity movements without fatigue is a reflection of your muscular endurance. Improvements in muscular endurance will improve your ability to repeat sprints up and down the court in quick succession. It will also improve your ability to jump several times in succession with minimal loss in power.

Squatting or lunging down low to pass a basketball requires limber limbs -- properly called flexibility. Tight muscles do not stretch readily and, if stretched too quickly or too far, may become injured. Flexible muscles are more elastic and capable of greater ranges of movement. Flexibility is developed by stretching, particularly developmental stretches held for 30 seconds or longer.