The Impact of Special Exercises on the Development of Bilateral and Unilateral Landing Ability According to the LESS Index for Young Basketball Players

Abstract

Due to the nature of the game, which requires repeated jumping and landing in multiple contexts such as aiming, moving up to catch the ball, and defensive interception, the landing skill is one of the most important basic motor skills needed by basketball players. Mastering this skill is essential to players' skill and physical performance. Neglecting to develop the landing pattern or having poor motor control when executing it may lead to movement imbalances, increasing the likelihood of injuries, especially to the knee and ankle joints. These are common injuries in basketball. Attention to developing landing ability is important because it directly impacts reducing the percentage of motor errors and reducing the load on the joints. It also plays a vital role in enhancing the player's overall motor efficiency, which improves the landing pattern, whether bilateral or unilateral. This, in turn, contributes to supporting other interrelated skills, such as aiming, elevation, balance, sudden stops, and changing direction. Consequently, the player's technical and physical performance quality improves over the course of competitions.