Learn How to Jump Higher
In the world of athletics, the most common question asked is "How to Jump Higher"? Yet, there is a lot of misinformation given out particularly on the internet. I read time and time again that you should work your calves or deep squat till they "burn". Although this advice is useful to a degree, it is not the best information on "How to Jump Higher".
The majority of people that give advice on "How to Jump Higher" don't have a clue on the percentage breakdown of muscles used to jump higher. The breakdown of muscles used to jump higher are as follows;
60-80% - Posterior Chain (Lower back, Glutes/Butt, Hamstring/back of thigh)
10-15% - Arm/Shoulder (Swing)
10-15% - Quad Muscles (Front Thigh muscles)
5% - Calf
As you can see, your lower back, glutes/butt, and hamstring/back of thing exert upwards of 80% force for your vertical jump. Thus, if your workout these muscles and strengthen them, you will jump higher.
Did you know that Olympic Weightlifters have some of the highest vertical jumps in the Olympics? The reason this is the case is they have some of the most powerful posterior chains on the planet. They develop this through years and years of Olympic weightlifting lifts such as the Snatch and the Clean and Jerk. They measure on average 34"-40" inches regularly on their vertical jumps and this is without doing any jump training or plyometrics.
If you work on your posterior chain with exercises such as deadlifts, good mornings, and power cleans, you will gain more on your vertical than working on your calves or deep squats till they "burn". By following this advice, you will learn how to jump higher much better than the so called internet experts out there.
This advice alone will give you an edge on How to Jump Higher. But for a complete and customized program that can double your vertical jump, check out The Vertical Project.