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Quiz the Coach - How do I Improve my Hops?

Reviewed by on Jan 24, 2007
Rating: 1 Star Rating

Do you want some sports & fitness advice on how to increase your hops? Here are some basketball drills that will help improve your verticle jump so that you will be dunking soon.

So ya dig sports but need some help with your game? Don't understand some of the rules of football, basketball or hockey? Got a gripe about P.E. class, skateboarders, cheerleading, teammates or coaches, or anything? Why not Quiz the Coach? The Kidzworld Coach can help ya work out team problems or give ya tips and advice to improve your game - all ya gotta do is ask!

1Hey Coach,
I’m a forward on my eighth grade basketball team. I’m 5’10” and can only touch the net. I want to dunk! Can you give me some pointers on

how to increase my hops?

Lance,

Hey Lance!

So you want to fly like Mike, huh? When it comes to jumping ability, a lot of it has to do with genetics. But just because Michael Jordan is not your dad, doesn’t mean you can’t improve your hops. Weight training can help big time, but it isn't a good idea unless you are under proper supervision. Here are a few drills you can do on your own.

  • Jumping rope is a good way to improve your stamina and your leg strength. Try to do this four times a week for five to 10 minutes.
  • Calf-raises will increase your explosiveness. Use a ledge of a stair to raise your calves and do around 30. Three or four times a week should be sufficient.
  • Lean against the wall, squat and pretend you are a chair. Only there is no chair - you will need to hold yourself up. Do this as long as you can. Best of all, you can do this exercise as you watch TV! Again, you should do this three to four times a week.
  • Go to a hoop, jump and try to touch the highest possible part of the basket. If you can only touch the net, jump and touch it 10 times in a row without rest. After awhile when that becomes easy, move up and do that drill with the backboard. And keep working your way up that hoop!
  • Lastly, go out and buy some Air Jordans! Just Kidding!
  • A combination of playing lots of hoops along with these drills will get you closer to that rim in no time Lance!

    Do you have a question on sports like hockey, football or skateboarding? Do you need some advice on fitness, P.E. class or health? Send it to the Kidzworld Coach. Keep in mind peeps, the Kidzworld Coach isn't a doctor or a professional athlete or anything like that. He's just a dude who digs sports, plays 'em and knows a lot about 'em. You should always talk to your 'rents, a doctor or your school gym teacher before starting a new sport or a new exercise.

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