Did you see Kobe Bryant's Dunk over Steve Nash in the 2006 Playoffs? It was a great play by KB24! He took off beyond the zone actually. By the way, Kobe a.k.a. Black Mamba has a 38- inch vertical!

Now - if you want to know how to increase your vertical there is one thing you have to realize at the beginning: Jumping is not about genes or how tall you are. It's about work. You can learn to jump and you can learn to dunk - even if you are 5'7''!

So, what can you do to improve your vertical jump? Researches have shown that the combination of weight and jump training is extremely effective. If you are already fit enough and your legs are already strong, you can try these weight exercises two times a week (i.e. Mondays and Thursdays):

1. Squats - 3 sets x 10
2. Leg Presses - 3 sets x 10
3. Leg Extensions - 2 sets x 20
4. Lunges - 3 sets x 10

In addition you can try these jump exercises (also two times a week, i.e. Tuesdays and Fridays):

1. Squat Jumps - 2 sets x 45
2. Chair Jumps - 2 sets x 30
3. Depth Jumps - 2 sets x 15
4. Box Jumps - 2 sets x 20
5. Tuck Jumps - 3 sets x 4

For more exercises simply try a vertical jump program - it's worth it! I can recommend "Go Up Strong" (http://www.howtodunk.org) but you can also try something else.

P.S.

Here's what the 2007 NBA Slam Dunk Champion Gerald Green has to say about dunking:

"If you're trying to glide, you want to get your footwork right. If you don't get your footwork right, you won't accelerate as far or glide as far or get as high as you need to get. Then, at the height of the dunk, you want to reach your peak. That's where you want to get the ball where it needs to be."

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