Can Jumping Exercises Increase Your Jump?

September 1st, 2010 Posted in Outdoors

Have you been searching for different exercises that can increase your jump? Plyometrics is gaining popularity with regards to jumping exercises since these have been proven effective by a lot of athletes.

Lower body plyometrics has been proven effective in increasing an athlete’s jump. Here are some examples of lower body plyometric exercises which you could do to increase your jump.

The split squat jump is a form of plyometric exercise which targets the lower body. Stand with the feet hip-width apart. Step 2 feet backwards with your left leg and stand on the ball of the left foot. The feet should be in the staggered stance while your head and back are erect and straight. Next, you must lower your body by bending your right hip and knee until your thigh is positioned parallel to the floor. Then, explode real quick. Switch your feet while you are in mid-air making your left foot land in front and the other way around.

One form of lower body plyometrics is the lateral box push off. Stand beside the box with your left foot on top of it. Using your left leg, push against the box and jump. To gain more height as you explode, raise your arms forward and upward. You should land with your left foot on the ground beside the box and your right foot on top of the box. From this side, repeat the exercise.

Box drill with rings is another type of lower body plyometric exercises. With feet more than a hip-width apart, stand straight. The body must be facing the first ring. Hop towards the first ring using both your feet. Then hop to the left and land on the ring to the side. Hop backwards towards the ring that is behind you. Lastly, hop into the last ring on your right. Before you repeat everything, rest first. Remember that you must only stay on the ground really quick in between your hops.

One form of lower body plyometrics is the zigzag hop. Begin by standing on the left of an agility ladder. With both feet, push off the ground to transfer to the other side of the ladder. Repeat and this time, land into the other side of the ladder. Continue doing everything until the end of the ladder is reached. Remember that you must only stay on the ground really quick in between hops and that you must not double hop.

Depth jumps are another form of lower body plyometric exercises. With your feet that are shoulder-width apart, stand on top of the box. Step off the box and with both feet, land on the ground. Then, immediately jump as high as possible as you reach up with both your hands. Always remember that there should be no horizontal movement in the jump. Again, your ground contact time should be as short as possible. Your landing should also be soft.

These are some lower body plyometric exercises that many athletes do as jumping exercises. If you want to learn more jumping exercises, make the Jump Manual your guide.