Power: Improving Your Vertical Jump

Athletes that can jump high possess a lot of explosive power.

An athlete’s muscles should function like an elastic band that is pulled back and let go. When you pull back an elastic band, there is a lot of stored “elastic energy.” This is similar to the state that the muscles in the leg are in prior to touchdown. They are in a lengthened state.

As soon as the foot touches down and pushes off, the muscles rapidly contract propelling the athlete into the air. This simple process (the muscles lengthening and shortening repetitiously)  is called the strength-shortening cycle.

The Secret To Improving Your Vertical Jump:

If you want to increase your vertical jump, you must improve the stretch-shortening cycle because it is the reason behind plyometric training.

An athlete must implement correct plyometric training sequences. It is essential to improve how quickly the muscles stretch and shorten. This is a process that is trained and improved in athletes progressively.

How Not To Train:

We often see athletes, usually pushed by their coaches or trainers, doing plyometric exercises that are far too advanced for their level. If a 15-year-old athlete jumps on and off a 30 inch box, his/her foot typically spends too much time on the ground, causing the mechanics to break down. In this case, the athlete isn’t strong enough to be able to hold the proper positions upon landing.

The Progressive Approach:

Fortunately, there is a way to correctly implement jumping training. Plyometric training should progressively increase in difficulty as the athlete adapts and gets stronger and more efficient in their movement.

In The End…

In conclusion, let us offer a word of warning: Don’t be fooled by gimmicky training gadgets on the market that make false claims to improve your vertical jump. Look into the credibility, education and real world knowledge these individuals have and you will sort through what is good and what is far fetched. I have never seen a world class jumper or Olympic Champion use much of any assisted training devices to reach the top of their game.

How to improve vertical jump: The one common denominator in great athletes is that there training is very sound and consistent and they understand what they are doing and how to do it properly.