Increase Your Vertical

I wrote this mainly because I've talked to a lot of ball players who have no clue how to train their legs. Many don't even do calf raises. Everyone is always looking for a quick and easy way to increase vertical leaping ability. And there are some very quality programs out there to train with (Vertical Project, Micheal Jordan's Program, some Platform Systems etc). There are some weight bearing and also some non-weight bearing programs that get it done. But there are also some programs that just cause injuries. The problem is that most people are not prepared for one of these advanced systems and also most do not pick the correct program. For example, no player under the age of 17 should use any weight bearing programs. This is just asking for an injury.

I obviously have not tried every program out there, but I have seen great results from some. For many of us, an outrageous vertical is not something we were blessed with. Others of us can naturally dunk, without putting any work in. But to increase the vertical that God gave us is where the real work comes in.

The truth of the matter is, any workout routine that claims to increase your vertical without any work put in is a lie. However, there are programs that can increase your vertical leap with substantially less effort on your part. These tips I'm giving you are all tried and true methods of increasing your vertical.

I have worked with many different programs and I can shed some knowledge on programs that seem to work very well for many players. The Vertical Project is one that has worked very well for many players. Also, the Micheal Jordan instructional jumping programs are very helpful. There are other programs however, that can easily cause injuries and the results are not very good. Mostly all of these programs, even the quality ones, promise results that only the top 1% will see. For some, adding inches to a vertical leap is no easy task. You can think of this as a how-to-guide, with recommendations to quality programs to implement.

Mentality of a Dunker

Me and my boy were talking about the mentality of great dunkers and how some just don't have it. This isn't to say that it is not something that can be learned. It is a force that can be harnessed, and is more of a quiet confidence than anything else. If you watch Micheal Jordan and Vince Carter going up for a dunk they just have a mentality that they will glide over anyone in their path, no matter how tall. Obviously most dunkers do not have the vertical to leap over anyone but I think this is a concept that can truly give a baller that added boost to get over the rim.

Most people I see who are on the cusp of dunking (maybe an inch short) do not have the required confidence to pull off dunks. Many go up for a dunk thinking in their heads, "I'm not gonna dunk this" "another stiff-back." But you've gotta go all out every time. It's like the first time you do a back flip, if you half-ass it you're gonna break your neck. Go all out. Do not fear the stiff back. So next time you guys are out there trying to get your first dunk... remember to go balls to the wall. Don't hold back.

Strength Shoes Update

So, there's a new study out that claims the Strength Shoes are useless. While it does hold some truth and makes some very good points, I believe their research to be flawed because they tested the product some of the time on people who have never worked out before. This is definitely not at all who the Strength Shoes are designed for. They used a random sample of people and had some work out normally, and some work out with the Strength Shoes. They wanted to see if those working out with the Strength Shoes really did find a better 40 time and increased vertical leap when compared to those who worked out without the Strength Shoes.

Their findings were those who worked out with the Strength Shoes saw increased results but with increased injuries as well. This is entirely true, and something that should be addressed; if you have never done any training before and you do not consider yourself an athlete, the Strength Shoes are not for you. If you just think about how the Strength Shoes work, it becomes clear why they can cause injuries for those who aren't ready for them. The Shoes force you to put all of your weight on your calves. If you do not have the muscles for this, it will strain your tendons. This can be very harmful for your legs. Also, when wearing the Strength Shoes it is important not to make certain motions that can easily injure your legs. It is very easy to twist an ankle. Merely by cutting down on sharp changes of directions and quick stops, you can reduce your risk of injury with the Strength Shoes. If used correctly, the Strength Shoes can be a great way to help your vertical without any risk on injury.