Beyond the Hardwood: What Really Happens at Bulls Practice

At the cutting-edge Advocate Center, Chicago Bulls practices are more than just daily workouts—they’re the foundation of the franchise’s preparation and performance. Blending tradition with modern science, this facility functions as both a training ground and a development hub where each session is crafted for maximum intensity, efficiency, and growth.

Training takes place on two full-size hardwood courts that replicate the exact specifications of the United Center floor. From shock-absorbing construction to precise traction underfoot, the setup allows for uninterrupted shooting drills, scrimmages, and movement work. It’s a surface built for high-impact action, giving players a true game-night feel every time they step on the court.

Recovery protocols are built into the daily grind. The hydrotherapy suite offers hot and cold pools with adjustable jets and temperatures tailored to individual player needs. The cold plunge reduces post-practice inflammation, while the heated pool helps increase blood flow and mobility. It’s not uncommon to see Coby White and Nikola Vučević alternating between the two as part of their personalized cooldown strategies.

Fueling is just as personalized. At the heart of the facility is the Gatorade Sports Fuel Bar, where players are served customized shakes, hydration blends, and post-practice recovery formulas. The Bulls’ nutrition team collaborates with Gatorade scientists to design individual regimens—like a beetroot-spinach smoothie for stamina or a banana-whey blend loaded with electrolytes.

Each practice is precisely structured. Sessions are segmented by intensity, focus, and recovery windows, often beginning with agility and ball-handling work before progressing into contact drills and conditioning. Veterans like Vučević lead with consistency and energy, while younger players push to impress. Every drill, scrimmage, and rotation is choreographed to maximize efficiency and drive accountability.

Technology is embedded into every movement. High-resolution tracking cameras record every angle of the action, while players wear biometric sensors to capture heart rate, acceleration, and vertical leap data in real time. Coaches use this information to adapt drills mid-session or address missed rotations instantly via courtside monitors. Feedback is immediate, specific, and data-backed.

The strength and conditioning program is just as specialized. The Advocate Center’s weight room is equipped with TRX systems, Olympic lifting platforms, and resistance gear tailored for basketball movement patterns. Programs are customized for each athlete, balancing explosive power development with injury prevention. Trainers emphasize precision—every rep is monitored to ensure game day transfer.

Above the courts, the film room serves as the Bulls’ tactical command center. Led by Head Coach Billy Donovan, these sessions break down game footage, defensive schemes, and offensive spacing with surgical detail. White regularly leads by example in these meetings, offering insights and guiding younger teammates through adjustments and reads.

Culture and development go hand in hand. Rookies receive mentorship on and off the court, from pick-and-roll timing to financial literacy. Skill coaches address individual weaknesses—be it post footwork or shooting mechanics—with one-on-one attention. It’s an environment built on accountability, personal growth, and constant refinement.

Practice execution is a team effort. Billy Donovan sets the tone, while assistants take charge of key areas like defense, shooting, or conditioning. Performance specialists, analysts, and medical staff are present at every session, providing input on load management, injury rehab, and nutritional needs. Every element is controlled—so players can focus solely on performance.

To outsiders, it may look like just another gym. But to the Bulls, the Advocate Center is sacred ground—a crucible where futures are forged and expectations are built. Located directly across from the United Center, the symbolism is clear: what happens here directly shapes what unfolds under the lights. Every detail—from court spacing to locker room layout—is fine-tuned for championship pursuit.