How To Do a Vertical Leap

Getting high in the air while jumping is a great way to build your athletic skill. Athletes who can jump high will have an advantage in nearly ever sport, including basketball, soccer, volleyball and football, just to name a few. You can learn how to do a vertical leap and then you can learn to how to jump higher.

Step 1

Stand about six inches away from a wall. Make sure you are wearing shorts and t-shirt -- or any outfit that you feel comfortable in. Put on a pair of athletic shoes. Hold a pencil in your hand that is closest to the wall. Reach your arm up to its highest point and make a mark on the wall.

Step 2

After warming up with stretches and a few sprints, get back to the spot where you marked the wall. Get in in an athletic position with your knees bent and your arms down at your sides. Spring up as high as you can go.

Step 3

Extend your arm as high as it will go while you are in the process of jumping. When you reach the apex of your leap, mark the wall with the pencil again.

Step 4

Measure the distance between the two pencil marks on the wall. This amount is your vertical leap. A good vertical leap depends on your age and overall condition. Any vertical leap that is 18 inches or more is considered respectable.

Step 5

Stretch your calf muscles by doing toe raises prior to doing a vertical leap test. By raising up on your tip toes for a count of three and repeating the drill 10 times, you will build strenght and explosiveness in the most important muscle when it comes to getting height on your vertical leap.