Objective To determine the effect of trunk motion control on knee biomechanics during single-leg landing. Methods Twenty male healthy basketball players were recruited. The kinematics, kinetics parameters and surface electromyogram (EMG) of knee joints under trunk motion control during single-leg landing were studied by using Vicon motion Analysis system, Kistler force platform and Noraxon surface EMG system. Results Compared with natural landing, there were significant differences in flexion angle at initial contact moment, peak flexion angle and peak flexion moment during deeply inspiratory landing and landing with a stick, and a significantly larger flexion angle at initial contact moment, a larger peak flexion angle and smaller peak flexion moment were also found. Compared with natural landing, there was no statistical difference in peak valgus angle and peak valgus moment, as well as EMG activity of hamstrings, quadriceps muscles of the knee during deeply inspiratory landing and landing with a stick. Conclusions Deeply inspiratory landing or landing with a stick reduce the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, and the results provide the theoretical basis for prevention of ACL injuries in basketball players during landing.