For athletes, the vertical jump is a skill that can be increased and improved with proper training. To improve jumping abilities for sports like basketball, tennis, volleyball, or track and field events such as the high jump it is necessary to do both strength and power training. Research has found certain key components can help athletes become better at jumping. There are different ways to improve an individual’s vertical jump. Here we go over some of the most effective exercises including plyometrics, and exercises that build strength and power.

Vertical Jump Increase and Improvement

Jumping is an explosive movement.

• To jump well, an individual needs a consistent powerful spring.
• This is achieved by training the explosive/fast-twitch muscle fibers with the ability to shorten and stretch dynamically.
• Upper body strength is important for creating upward momentum.

1. Strength exercises involve slow, controlled movements like squats, lunges, and step-ups with weights.
2. Power exercises involve explosive, quick movements.
3. Plyometrics involve explosive hopping, bounding, and jumping drills that combine strength and speed.

Exercises

Plyometrics

• Common plyometric exercises include hops, jumps, and bounding movements.
• A popular exercise is jumping off a box and rebounding off the floor then jumping onto another, higher box.
• Box jumps provide practice for jumping.

Single-Leg Squats

• Single-leg squats can be done almost anywhere, without equipment.
• They work the hips, hamstrings, quadriceps, gluteus maximus, and calves.
• They strengthen the core and increase flexibility.

Full Squats

• This is a barbell exercise to build strength and power.
• It is considered one of the best total body exercises.

Weighted Step-Ups

• The step-up is a recommended all-around exercise that can be done almost anywhere.
• Not only will it build strength in your quadriceps, but you can also use it as part of a cardio workout.
• It has a low risk of injury.

Overhead Walking Lunges

• All that is needed is a weight and room to walk.
• This exercise builds power, strength, and speed in the legs.
• Improves core strength.

Stair Running

• This is a high-intensity workout that builds speed, power, and cardiovascular fitness.
• It targets the glutes, quads, and calves.

Agility Drills

• Agility drills can include jumping to improve coordination, speed, power, and specific skills.

Sprints

• Sprints are quick intense exercises to build muscle and increase performance.
• Sprints use more muscle groups.

Practice

• Build strength by performing basic weight training exercises using slow, controlled movements.
• Build power with faster dynamic movements.
• Improve movement speed to create power with explosive, quick exercises.
• Work on form, by incorporating the lead-up to the jump, arm motion, and safe landing technique.

1. Include time to practice maximum jumping and bring it all together.
2. Always warm up before jumping or performing drills to keep the joints and body safe.
3. Athletes jump rope to get the blood circulating and warm up their muscles.
4. Do several slow, controlled toe raises to prepare the feet and ankles for jumping and landing.
5. Gradually work up to a full vertical jump, by doing box and squat jumps.

Jumping

• When finally working on the vertical jump, start with the feet hips-distance apart.
• If measuring jump height, stand about a foot away from the measuring tape or measuring bar on the side.
• Start with arms overhead.
• As you drop into a squat position swing the arms behind the hips.
• Swing back up to the starting position before going for the full jump.
• The pre-swing helps build momentum.
• Land with the knees bent to minimize the impact.

Jumping is a high-impact activity that can take a toll on the knees, hips, ankles, and feet. Be sure to rest the body between hard workouts so the muscles have time to recover, repair, and build up.

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Improving Athletic Performance

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References

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Rodríguez-Rosell, David, et al. “Traditional vs. Sport-Specific Vertical Jump Tests: Reliability, Validity, and Relationship With the Legs Strength and Sprint Performance in Adult and Teen Soccer and Basketball Players.” Journal of Strength and conditioning research vol. 31,1 (2017): 196-206. doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000001476

Vanezis, Athanasios, and Adrian Lees. “A biomechanical analysis of good and poor performers of the vertical jump.” Ergonomics vol. 48,11-14 (2005): 1594-603. doi:10.1080/00140130500101262