subject: Increasing your vertical jump [print this page] Increasing your vertical jump Increasing your vertical jump
Athletes, the vertical jump mystique seems to be the cornerstone of all Athletic performance. How high is your vertical, what was his vertical, his vertical is too low, etc. This is heard constant in the sports world and sports testing/combines. It can be the difference of being a 1st round pick or a 3rd round pick; a seven figure contract or a six figure.
Make no mistake about it, to jump high there are 3 basic requirements: 1. Genetics 2. training 3. belief. If you fall at the 1st requirement, consider yourself lucky, but for most of us, we fall at #2 and #3 which is fantastic because it implies that we can do something about it.
Training for the vertical jump should not be complicated. All programs work. Some, like Jacob Hiller's program are top notch and require dedication, and money. But for all Athletes, especially the beginner, the easiest way to increase your vertical leap is to SQUAT SQUAT SQUAT! If you maintain a low body fat ratio, and can squat to almost double your bodyweight, I would find it hard to believe that you cannot jump in the 30" range. Strength to bodyweight ratio is the key. Do you know why most NFL players can jump higher than NBA players? It is because the average NFL player is much stronger. An informative article on this theory.
Even the NFL combines have stated that the more you can squat, the higher your vertical leap. So get to the weight room, train light in the beginning and build up to more heavier weights and you will fly like a bird.
