The second, and equally important, part of periodization is that of the motor abilities – strength, speed, and endurance.  For basketball athletes, this component is crucial in the development of the type of progression needed to maximize the type of strength that will increase speed while facilitating muscular endurance.

The Periodization of Strength
Strength is periodized in six phases that coincide with the key areas of the annual plan -- preparatory, competitive, and transitional.  The six phases of strength periodization are as follows:

· anatomical adaptation
· maximum strength
· conversion
· maintenance
· cessation (C) phase
· compensation phase

Anatomical adaptation occurs during the preparatory phase but after the transition phase.  The purpose of anatomical adaptation is to utilize most of the muscle groups to prepare the body for training.  The recommended duration of this phase is 4 – 6 weeks for elite athletes; however, a longer period should be used for those not familiar with proper lifting techniques and for younger, non-collegiate level athletes.

The maximum strength phase focuses on power and muscular endurance.  Without achieving a high level of maximum strength a high standard of power is unattainable.  This one to three month phase occurs during the preparatory phase in the annual plan but before conversion due to the necessity to develop an athlete’s highest level of maximum strength so that it (strength) can be converted to power, muscular endurance, or both.

Conversion training begins near the end of the preparatory phase and continues into the competitive phase.  (Basketball specific training should be implemented here because conversion goals are sport specific.) This is the point where physical strength should begin to peak while the athlete maintains a desired level of maximum strength. 

In order for an athlete to preserve maximum strength during the maintenance phase, he or she should strength train two to four sessions a week.  However, since this occurs during the competitive phase, maintaining strength is secondary to practice.  An efficient, sports or position specific maintenance program which focuses on the key muscle groups utilized during play must be implemented to maintain strength levels.

The cessation (C) phase should begin and end during the high point of the main competition period or during the championship.  Little or no strength training should be done at this time so that the team will have a high energy level for play. 

The compensation phase brings strength periodization full circle by returning to training the muscle groups not focused on during the competitive phase.

The Periodization of Endurance
Endurance is the act, quality, or power of withstanding hardship or stress.  In sports it is extremely important for an athlete to endure the physical pains of competition.  The periodization of endurance has three phases: 

Aerobic endurance is developed during the transitional and preparatory phase.  It focuses on the athlete’s working capacity and cardio-respiratory system.

Aerobic endurance and specific endurance builds upon the aerobic endurance phase by introducing sport specific movement and endurance drills.  This takes place just before the competitive phase.

Finally, during the competitive phase specific endurance is modified to include the various types of intensity reached during competition.  It focuses primarily on the movement, range of motion, and the physical speed demands of the sport.

The Periodization of Speed
For a basketball player, this is the phase where activities like tempo running are introduced while considering the athlete’s aerobic and anaerobic endurance.  The characteristics of the sport, the athlete’s performance level, and the game schedule should also be considered when facilitating sport specific speed, agility, and reaction time. 

Utilized with the annual plan, the periodization of motor abilities should maximize athletic performance by training the athlete’s neuromuscular system to peak during the competitive phase.