The popularity of the NBA and college basketball has made vertical jump training a hot topic of late.  People naturally think about basketball first when they think of this topic.  However, vertical jump training has benefits for athletes of many sports.  Volleyball first comes to mind.  The advantage of have great hops is obvious when a player rises above the net to spike the ball or block an opponent.  Soccer players also benefit from a good vertical leap when jumping above the crowd for a header.  This list of sports where a great vertical leap is an asset goes on and on; baseball, tennis, football, track and field and more.

However, there are additional benefits to vertical jump training that go beyond getting more hops.   Those who have undertaken a structured vertical jump training program also report an increase in foot speed, agility, resistance to injury, balance and body control.  A comprehensive vertical jump training entails strength training (weights), speed training and flexibility training as well as jump training.  By its very nature, this type of training develops these traits as the athlete works to jump higher.  Athletes in any sport would benefit from these improvements.

There are a number of good and not so good vertical jump training programs available today.  Among them are The Jump Manual, Air Alert, Vertical Mastery and others.  The Vertical Jump Training Blog discusses these programs, vertical jump training theory, methods and techniques as well a the impact of other factors, such as rest and nutrition on vertical jump training.  Get More Hops! doesn’t push any one vertical jump training program.  It simply brings together the best in current thought and practice and lets you decide what works best for you.