In the sport of basketball, jump higher means that you have an edge on your opponent.
  The ability to jump higher and quickly will help you to gain an advantage and become a better basketball player.
  In addition to being able to jump higher, this explosive ability also means that you will be able to change direction more quickly.
  We all imagine ourselves putting on a move, leaving our opponent standing there looking stupid, and then dunking the ball over the gigantic defender that is standing there waiting to swat the ball away from us.
  The purpose of this article is to give you 3 exercises to jump higher.
  Each of these exercises involves repeated jumping or hopping.
  The key to each is to spend as little time as possible on the floor so that you take advantage of the spring-like characteristics of your muscles.
  Rapid change of direction and jumping high is all about transferring energy from one direction to another.
  Repeated, quick movements will train that ability.
1.
Repeated Broad Jump:  This exercise involves a standing broad jump repeated consecutively 4 times.
  This will help to improve your explosive power.
  To begin, stand with your feet about shoulder width apart and behind the baseline.
  Lower into a squat position and quickly jump as high and as far forward as you can.
  When you land, quickly do another broad jump.
  Repeat this 4 times.
2.
Tuck Jumps:  This exercise involves repeatedly jumping and grabbing your knees.
  To begin, stand with your feet shoulder width apart.
  Lower into a squat position and jump as high as you can using your whole body.
  Tuck your knees up to your chest.
  When you land, quickly jump again.
  Repeat 5 times.
3.
Plus Jumps:  This exercise is great for lateral jumping and change of direction.
  Use athletic tape to draw out a %2B sign on the floor.
  Begin in the upper left quadrant and quickly jump from one quadrant to another.
  Change up the pattern to give your body a little bit more of a challenge.
Remember to spend as little time on the ground as possible.
  You want to be able to jump from one repetition to the next as quickly as possible.
  The longer you spend on the ground the less elastic energy you have in your muscles.
  That means less height in the air when you attempt to jump again.
  To add variation to the exercises change directions between jumps, twist in mid-air, or use only one leg (a hop).
  Be careful to observe proper landing mechanics to avoid injury and early onset of shin problems or tendon irritation.
  These 3 basketball jump higher exercises are a great way to improve your vertical leap and be able to jump higher.