In the game of basketball, the ability to jump higher is always a proven advantage. Imagine the awe you bring to the crowd, and the confidence you instill in your team when you highlight your dunking skills after doing a dominant windmill dunk that brought the house down.
Well, all of that is a whole lot easier if you are able to jump higher in the game of basketball, and it is an undeniable fact that basketball players who are able to do that attract many fans from all around.
So what does it take to do this?
The whole truth is this, you need to focus and be determined. By that, you need to follow a set of training routine strictly for at least eight weeks. Even if you are tired and hope to get a day off, you need to keep doing it. Remember, all it takes is one day and you might waste all the previous hard work you have put in.
Here are three sets of exercises that will have you learn how to jump higher and dunk a basketball in no time:
Sprints
Sprinting builds explosive power needed to jump higher in basketball or any other sports. It builds take off power and increases your speed dramatically. 40-yard dashes are good for sprint trainings. Remember, explosiveness and speed is the key to jump higher in basketball.
Depth Jumps
Depth jumps build and strengthen your fast twitch muscles. It is also very effective in building explosiveness, as it looks to counteract the pressure from the impact of the jump. Stand on a platform and step off it. The moment you touch the ground, explode up as high as possible as you can. Start with three sets of 10 and increase gradually. That is sure to improve and add some inches to your verticals that are so essential for improving your dunking skills. It is one of the best plyometric exercises known to man.
Olympic Weightlifting
Olympic weightlifting, when executed properly, requires the entire muscle group from your ankles to your hip. That is to say, you are building jumping power from your ankles up to your hips. The resistance from the weights further strengthens your leg muscles.
Stretching
One bonus tip to increase your ability to jump higher in basketball is stretching. Stretching relaxes and clears lactic acid from your muscles. Stretching is going to help you improve your vertical rapidly and move you closer to dunk a basketball.
If you are serious in learning to jump higher in basketball, one of the best programs out today is the Jump Manual. It is the most complete training system ever assembled to improve your hops and overall athletic ability.