NBA Players Vertical Leap

NBA Players Vertical Leap

You're flying down the court on a fast break. Game 7 of the NBA finals. You're teams trailing by 5. You take off from about 10 feet away, bring the ball back and tomahawk it home. The crowd goes bananas as you run back down the floor, and you wave your arms at them to pump them up. They respond louder then ever, and the get louder and louder as the game goes on.

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You exchange baskets back and forth, but can't seem to cut into the lead. Finally, there's just one minute left. The opposing team has the ball, leading by three A score here would be devastating The crowd is on its' feet imploring you to victory, but you need to get the stop. An opposing guard crossovers over his defender, slashes through the lane, and rises up for a monster dunk that would put an end to your come back efforts. You will have none of it. You leave your man, race over and leap about 8 feet from the hoop. You meet in mid air, and you swat the ball as far as you can, into the waiting arms of a teammate. The crowd gets even louder as they see what you see-a fast break, an easy lay-up, and a one point game!

Finally, there's only ten seconds left. Despite your best efforts, you're still trialing by one, with no timeouts left. A teammate gives you the ball, and the game is in the balance. The NBA championship will be decided with what you do next. You dribble slowly to the top of the key. Ten, nine, eight, the clock ticks. The crowd gets louder, urging you to make your move.

You don't panick-you simply wait for an opening. You see a tiny one, and you quickly knife through the lane. The opposing center steps in to meet you-doesn't matter. You take off, reach over his outstretched arms, and throw it down-with just one second left! The crowd is so loud now that you couldn't hear a jet take off. The opposition gets the ball in and tries one last desperation heave, but it falls well short-you're the NBA champions!

During the post game interview, the reporter asks you how you were able to come up with all the stops down the stretch. You smile to yourself, knowing exactly why-all the long hours you put into your vertical jump program just a few summers ago.

Think the above situation is impossible? Okay, maybe this is a bit outlandish, but in reality many athletes have increased their vertical jump 8-14 inches, sometimes more, by doing a good vertical jump program. I won't go into all the different exercises you can do (there are many) but here's something to keep in mind. Do the program the same time every day, watch the way you eat, get eight hours of sleep, and you will see a big increase in your vertical jump. Who knows-the above scenario may not be as far fetched as you think.