High Jumping
Being a basketball player means that you are a person that likes a challenge, that likes physical activity and also has a little bit of a competitive streak. However, to be a great basketball player you need to master the art of high jumping so that you will be able to catch the rebound that will win you the game. Or even make that game winning slam dunk that will leave your teammates both proud and jealous. A few exercises can help you to get the leg muscles needed to be able to jump at your best with many of them requiring nothing more than your time.
Jogging is a great way to work most all of the muscles in your body enabling you to be on your “A” game. If you have never jogged before then I do not recommend just taking off with no specific distance in mind. You should start slow so that your muscles can work up to the amount of work required. Otherwise, you will wake up the next morning with your calves on fire and your ribs feeling as if you were beaten up by the mafia. However, if you start slow your muscles will work without calling a mutiny the next time that you ask. Jogging will not only work your leg muscles but it will help your lungs to grow in capacity as well, allowing them to hold more air for a longer amount of time. Lung capacity if key if you intend to shoot hoops for an hour or so, expecting to stay in the upright position.
I can only assume that right now you are reading this article while sitting somewhere. Well, if you are then you could be working to build your calf muscles while you do. To start working your legs while you just sit there simply extend your legs straight out in front of you. Now, point your toes as far forward as possible before bringing them back so that they are pointing to you and then hold that position for a few seconds. Repeat these exercises for as long as you wish as it will really work on your calf muscles, making high jumping something far easier to accomplish.
Another way to help your high jumping skills would be to do some things which require no equipment but can be done while you are zoning in front of the television. Squats are something that never feels good when doing them but they will work to tone up your quads, a necessary muscle group for jumping any height. If squats are not your cup of tea then maybe you could try some toe raises. These are done by standing flatfooted and then slowly raising yourself up onto your toes and staying there for a second or two before slowly coming back to the ground. That might sound all nice and easy but the kicker is that you can’t let your heels touch the ground until the exercise is over. So you can slowly raise yourself up and down but you can’t let those heels touch the ground. Doesn’t sound nearly as easy now does it?
You see, you don’t need a gym or fancy equipment to help with your high jumping. You just need to be willing to take the time and effort into something that you really want to accomplish.