For sports specifically demanding powerful vertical jump performances, particularly basketball and volleyball, improving vertical jump is understandably a desired objective.

Training to increase vertical jump requires smart, informed, science-backed, and progressive training. Vertical jump performance is underpinned by strength and an athlete’s ability to use that strength in a short amount of time (power). As we know, power is equal to force times velocity. Therefore, improving the athlete’s force output, and the time in which they are able to express that force, is paramount to increasing power (and, consequently, vertical jump performance). Therefore, enhancing an athlete’s rate of force development (RFD) becomes paramount in maximizing their vertical jump potential.

I train athletes to improve their vertical jump through the use and improvement of 4 principle aspects: Strength, Power, Plyometrics, & Joint Mobility. Effective training does not involve gimmicks, it is not flashy, and there is no one magic drill or exercises despite many useless marketing tools and devices that claim otherwise. Consistent, progressive, well-coached, well-implemented training programs are the best and most effective way to increase an athlete’s athletic ability and vertical jump.