Introduction: Balance and proprioceptive training programs improve balance and positively a effect on technical skills in different sports. However, there is lack of research on the effect of balance training in basketball specifically for 13-14 year old youth athletes. The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of a balance and proprioceptive training program on dynamic and static balance and on technical skills in youth basketball players. Materials and Methods: After the initial test assessments (e,g. Dynamic and static balance, fast shooting, passing accuracy, defensive sliding, lay up, maneuver running), a total of 30 young male and 25 female 13-14 - year- old basketball players (males ±0.52, females: ±0.48) were randomly allocated into the experimental group for boys (EB) and, girls (EG), and into the control group for boys (CB) and girls (CG). Only two experimental groups underwent the balance and proprioceptive training program for 8 weeks. At the end of the training intervention, the initial test assessments were repeated. Results: A significant difference was observed between pre- and post-test scores in the EB group`s dynamic balance, static balance, fast shooting, and passing accuracy tests; specifically, a 13.2, 33.1, 8.6, and 10.2% improvement was observed for the post-test conditions, respectively. In addition, there was a significant difference between pre- and post-test scores in the EG group`s dynamic balance, passing accuracy, defensive sliding, and lay-up tests; specifically, a 34.9, 18.8, 3.1, and 12.6% improvement was observed for the post-test conditions, respectively. The percent deference (post-pre intervention program) in static balance, fast shooting, and passing accuracy was significantly different between EB and CB groups. In addition, a significant difference between EG and CG groups was observed in dynamic balance and passing accuracy scores. Discussion: Although sport trainers and coaches fail to consider the effect of specific balance and proprioceptive programs on the improvement of balance and technical skills young age, it is believed that inexpensive training intervention may be beneficial for balance control and execution of some complex technical skills (e.g. passing accuracy), and, thus, should be implemented by basketball coaches. Conclusions: It was determined that an 8-week balance and proprioceptive training program improved passing accuracy scores of 13-14-year-old basketball players regardless of sex. In addition, this program improved static balance and fast shooting in boys and dynamic balance in girls.
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