Court Vision: Game-Changing Insights from Leading Basketball Strength Coaches
This presentation explores key strategies and insights for fostering peak performance and long-term health in women’s basketball athletes. Topics include bridging gaps for under-prepared athletes, navigating relationships with coaches with strong weight room philosophies, and tailoring development strategies for off-season versus in-season demands. Attendees will gain actionable advice on reducing ACL injuries, promoting tendon health, and emphasizing foot/ankle training to enhance performance and durability. The session also examines the growing professional opportunities in women’s basketball, offering advice for aspiring strength coaches, and highlights collaborative approaches to aligning strength training with team goals. Insights aim to empower holistic athlete development and team success.
Jena is in her first season at Vanderbilt University as the Director of Strength and Conditioning for Women's basketball. She has previously worked with the women’s basketball teams at Clemson and Wake Forest. Ready worked with the Tigers for the last three seasons and was with the Demon Deacons from 2018-21. Prior to arriving in Winston-Salem, Ready spent 2017 and 2018 as the associate head strength and conditioning coach at Winthrop University. During her time with the Eagles, she worked with women’s basketball, women’s tennis, women’s lacrosse, men’s golf, and cross-country. A 2015 graduate of Queens University, Ready played lacrosse and led the team in goals over her final three seasons. She earned her master’s degree in Sports and Exercise from Lenoir-Rhyne, where she was also a graduate assistant for two seasons.
