Plyometric Exercises for Basketball 4 Exercises You Can Use

When you are training to be able to jump higher, be it for Basketball or Volleyball you will need to do plyometric exercises. Before you start doing them be sure you have a base of strength from doing squats, dead lifts or other strength building workouts for your legs. This strength base is what is needed to really get you off the ground and will help prevent injury from doing serious plyometrics.

The purpose of doing plyometrics is develop explosive strength in the muscles to allow you to not only jump but to do it with explosive power. The strength of the muscle plus the explosiveness will equal power and rapid acceleration. This explosiveness comes from the improvement in the elasticity and neuromuscular reflexes. Listed below are some plyometric drills you can do.

Squat Jumps: Start in the squat position with hands behind the head. Jump upward as high as possible and land into the squat position and immediately jump again. The idea is to land and jump again quickly.

Forward Squat Jump: From the standing position jump up and forward as far as you can and immediately jump forward again keeping the feet on the ground as little as possible.

Single Leg Hop: With right leg in front of the left, push off with right foot into a forward jump. Immediately upon landing jump again off the right foot and repeat. Switch to the left foot and repeat.

Box Jumps: Standing in front of a sturdy box, jump up onto it with both feet or do each leg separately. The height of the box depends on how strong you are. Increase the box height as it gets easier.

For more information on increasing your vertical jump check out Increase Strength for Vertical Jumping. You can increase your vertical jump height if you make an effort. Everybody has their limits to how high they can jump, have you reached yours?