A Broad Explanation Of What Vertical Jumps Really Are.

Every athletes is crazy about having a good vertical! But what clear cut answer would you give to the question: What is a vertical Jump? Well, you may learn it from here.

Vertical jump is the ability to raise one's center of gravity higher in the vertical plane solely with the use of one's own muscles. It is a measure of how high an individual or athlete can elevate off the ground from a standstill. It is a simple as it can be.

There are really so many programs that can help you in your leap training. This is one of them The Vertical Jump Development Bible. As you can imagine, there are many more, such as the Vertical Jump Manual (My favorite Program) and the Double your vertical leap system, which is really popular on the internet today.

Places where vertical jump measurements are used
Vertical jump measurements are used primarily in athletic circles both to measure performance and as something athletes brag about among themselves. This concept have become really popular today in the sporting milieu. The most common sports in which one's vertical jump is measured are track and field events, basketball, football, and volleyball, but many sports measure their players' vertical jumping ability during physical examinations. Some coaches even put a minimum jump requirement for athletes who wish to join their team!

How to measure vertical
The simplest method to measure an athlete's vertical jump is to get the athlete to reach up against a flat wall, with a flat surface under his feet (such as a gym floor or concrete) and mark off the highest point he can reach flat-footed (this is referred to as "standing reach"). Then, instruct the athlete to take several jumps from a standstill, marking off the highest point he can reach. Next, measure the distance between the two. This is the athlete's standing vertical jump.

The method described above is the most common and simplest way to measure one's vertical leap, but other more scientifically accurate methods have been created. Some of which i will explain here: A pressure pad can be used to measure the time it takes for an athlete to complete a jump, and then using a kinematics equation (h = g*t^2/8), the computer can calculate his vertical jump based on the time in the air. As you can imagine, when using this method, an athlete can easily "cheat" by pulling his/her knees up to extend hangtime. If this is done, them the result will not reflect the actual jump time since the hangtime was tricked.

Because of the drawback of the above method, A second, more efficient and correct technique was established. This measuring method is simply to use an infrared laser placed at ground level. When an athlete jumps and breaks the plane of the laser with his hand, the height at which this occurs is measured. Think this method is also explanined in the Jump Manual.

Devices based on United States Patent 5031903, "A vertical jump testing device comprising a plurality of vertically arranged measuring elements each pivotally mounted..." are also common. These devices are used at the highest levels of collegiate and professional performance testing. They are comprised of several (roughly 70) 14-inch prongs placed 0.5 inches apart vertically. An athlete will then leap vertically (no running start or step) and make contact with the retractable prongs to mark their leaping ability. This device is used each year at the NFL scouting combine.

Vertical Jump as Assessment
The vertical jump is a commonly used metric used in testing athleticism, especially in sports like basketball and football. A vertical jump of over 40 inches is considered extremely rare. The vertical jump is an important component of the SPARQ, a test designed to assess sport-specific athleticism.

Common misconceptions about vertical jump
The most common misconception about vertical jump is that the measurement displays the athlete's ability to elevate off the ground from a run-up, contrary to from a standstill. The effect of this misconception is that many athletes will grossly inflate their vertical jumps. Also, athletes have learned to "cheat" the existing systems. The vertec can be cheated by not reaching as high on the initial measurement commonly referred to as "shrugging your shoulders". Jump pads can be cheated by lifting your knees, or even hanging on to them until the last moment. Since jump pads rely on hangtime, they are easily cheated.

For More Info on this, Just Click here and: Learn How To Begin Performing Vertical Jumps Like a Real Pro!