Become A Better Player: Work On Your Vertical Leap
Games Guy | December 30, 2011
For most athletes, being able to jump higher is highly beneficial. Basketball, soccer, badminton and volleyball are just some of the sports that require this skill from their players for them to gain a competitive edge. Thus, having a high vertical jump is always a good addition to any athlete’s set of skills. Can you really increase your vertical jump through training though? Isn’t this skill inherited than learned? It’s both. Some have it initially through genetics while some just learn and work at it through training and practice. Those who have the natural talent may also choose to enhance their gift. If you want to get started with your vertical jump training right away, you can’t go wrong with this how to jump higher manual: TheJump Manual for volleyball vertical.
How does increase in vertical jump happen? Exercises for vertical jump training involve strengthening the core and increasing leg muscle power. You would need a strong core in order to maintain balance during your vertical leaps. Higher heights are reached with a strong core. When you jump, it is the strength of your legs that propels you up and that strength is one of the factors that will determine your jump height. Lastly, there’s plyometrics. In plyometric exercises, your muscles’ responsiveness are honed so their quickness increase. The combination of speed and strength allows for what sports experts refer to as “vertical explosion” which in turn is what will set apart the mediocre from the greats.
The following is an exercise routine that’s easy to follow. It will help you gain muscle in your core and your legs as well as promote responsiveness in the latter: Begin by jumping a heavy rope for 3 minutes as a warm-up. Jumping rope is a simple and convenient yet effective way to effectively increase your jump height. Quickness is trained and instilled in your movements when you train the neural and muscle activity required to jump which is what happens with jumping rope. To prepare for the strengthening part of the routine, you should go into stretching the muscle groups in your abdomen and your legs first. Get into a little more cardiovascular exercise with jump higher highlights by jumping rope for another 5 to 10 minutes. Do this before going through muscle building.
Strengthening Phase. For core strengthening, crunches work. Do a minimum of 50 to 100 curnches. Make sure the reps put enough stress on the abdominal muscles to actually work it. When it comes to the leg muscles, you can do toe raises and knee bends. This works the thighs and the calves. Repeat 15 to 20 times, the toe raises and about 10 times, the knee bends. Listen to your body and do not overstrain your muscles, especially during the knee bends. For your plyometric exercise, do jump squats. This is one exercise that combines strength and quickness training. Begin by bending until you’re squatting in the air. Then jump as high as possible up into the air. Repeat this for 5 to 10 times and as quickly as possible. Then cool down by stretching. For a complete list of exercises to jump higher and reviews of vertical jump training programs, check out the TheJump Manual Review.