Some Tips to Achieve Higher Vertical Jumps
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Ever wonder what makes basketball, football, and volleyball players jump so high? If they can make high vertical jumps, so can you. A lot of tips are available online that claim to add a few inches to your vertical jump. What follows are some tips that can help increase your vertical jump, without the use of sophisticated exercise equipment that cost several dollars and give almost no improvement.
We often neglect our arm swing when we make vertical jumps. However, your arm swing has a significant contribution to your jump height. Experts say it accounts for a 15% increase in your lift. On your next jump, try to swing your arms faster while timing it with your jump. Then compare the height you achieve with that of without swinging your arms.
One exercise that can help increase your vertical jump is stretching. Total body flexibility has its contributions to vertical jump. Just think of how gymnasts are able to make triple back flips - through flexibility. Try to perform stretching exercises three times a week and pay special attention to your hip flexors, glutes, and hamstrings. Remember to do your stretching exercises after your work-outs and not before them.
You also need to remember that your vertical jump is not only dependent on the strength of your legs - raw muscle speed also contributes to the height of your jump. Along with maximum power training and conventional weight training, include drills that develop raw muscle speed in your exercise routine. One raw muscle speed drill requires you to use a small jogging trampoline. If you are not able to find one, you can use a makeshift ramp that is about 6 feet long. You will also need a target like a basketball hoop. If you have the trampoline or the ramp, and the basketball hoop within your reach, it is time to do your drill.
Place the trampoline or the ramp one to two strides away from the basketball hoop. You will then need to run. Make your last step (prior to planting to jump) one stride off the trampoline. Take note, you will not do actual jumps off the trampoline. This will cause you to over-speed your run just before you actually takeoff, teaching your muscles to move faster while you jump. When your legs jump quicker, you can jump higher.
The aforementioned exercises and techniques are only few of the numerous ways to improve your vertical jump. Remember, once you take on a drill, exercise, or technique, make sure you turn it into a routine. Improving your vertical jump is not a one time thing, it is a continuous process.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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