Basketball players at any level want to jump higher. How cool would it be to be able to dunk the ball even if you're not tall. I've personally seen guys that were maybe 5'6" dunk the ball. How do they do it? They understand how to increase their vertical jump. When they work out they specifically target areas that will help them jump higher.

How to Increase Vertical Jump

Some exercises to jump higher over time are:

• Deep knee bends
• Toe raises with weights or without weights
• Stomach crunches

The most effective exercises to increase vertical jump ability are

• Squats
• Loaded Jump Squats
• Plyometric Exercises

Combine these exercises and figure out a routine that works for you, and you will jump higher, give it about ten weeks and you will see results.

Training with loaded jump squats is very effective but before doing loaded jump squats make sure you are using the proper weight and form, use lighter weights ( 30% the maximum weight you can squat in one repetition).

Plyometic training combined with regular weight training is another way to increase your vertical jump.

You need to build strength and power and improve speed to increase vertical jump ability.

Nutrition and stretching

Nutrition is important when you’re trying to increase vertical jump ability. Your body needs protein and carbohydrates before you start your workout. Stretching is also important before you workout, it helps you avoid injury and improve your performance.

Benefits of improving your vertical

The obvious one is you will be able to jump higher but there are other benefits from doing these types of workouts, you will get increased explosive power, your leg strength will improve significantly and you will have better muscular coordination plus when you do any type of strenuous exercise your body releases endorphins and they make you feel really good.

I remember when I saw a guy who was smaller than me jump in the air and dunk a basketball. My first thought was that is impossible there is no way that could happen, it must be his genetics or something like that but over time I’ve seen more people do the same thing and genetics does play a small role in your jumping ability but the way you workout plays a bigger role. I’m not saying that if you do vertical jump training you will be able to just dunk the basketball easily but you will be able to increase your vertical significantly(8-15 inches), and it all depends on the amount of work you put in.