Improve Vertical Leaping: To a basketball player, one of the most important skills to posses is the ability to jump high. The dream of many basketball players is to be able to go above the rim and dunk the basketball and this can be done only if one has an exceptionally high vertical jump. But a good jumping ability is not only for dunking the basketball. In fact, a great leaping ability is essential in both ends of the basketball court, both in offense and in defense. If you are not that tall, then you can compensate for your lack of height by knowing the ways to increase vertical jumping height.
There are many ways to increase vertical leaping but the best way is through exercises that specifically address the concern. If you are looking to increase your jumping height, then the group of muscles that you should be working on are the hamstrings. It is the hamstrings that provide the power that translates into higher jumps. You can strengthen your hamstrings by performing weight resistance exercises that can tone and develop the muscles. In preforming weight resistance exercises you can either use your body weight or you can use free weights and machines.
One of the neglected type of exercise that can improve the hamstrings is stretching. These exercises may not directly affect the power of the hamstrings but it can loosen them up to prep them for growth and development. Yoga is system of exercises that can help you stretch and tone your muscles including the hamstrings.
If you really want to improve your game as a basketball player then you must commit yourself to the ways of to increase vertical jump. If you have the means, there area resources on the Internet that you can buy that can help you increase your jumping distance.