Yesterday we tested our vertical jumps to check for growth even though we have only been lifting and training for 5 weeks since the Christmas break. Now is not an ideal time to test considering we have only worked lightly on our plyometrics and our focus right now has been on core and building strength. Even our weight program has yet to hit the real strength building phase as we have focused on high repetitions to build muscle and flexibility. In the coming weeks our focus will shift to a strength building phase which will increase strength and thus vertical jump. Also in the coming months we will improve enough on our plyometrics to incorporate more advanced exercises that will have a bigger impact on vertical jump. Still we felt it was important to show our guys that they are making measurable gains thanks to the time they are committing this off season.
As I have stated many times before I truly believe that the vertical jump is the best measure of someones explosiveness. This a great football attribute because its a functional measurement. My best programs have always had a bunch of guys who could jump and run. Last year as a program we did not have a single person vert over 25 inch. My best teams have always had around 10 guys vert 30+. Testing yesterday led to 3 guys breaking the 30 inch barrier. Two of those 3 to break the 30 inch barrier are new to our program. But are able to preform at a high level because they have been part of dedicated weight room and training programs that they participated in before joining our program. It is a testament to what I have been stressing about the importance of a strong off season program. Tyson Parks led the way easily going past the 30 inch vertical mark followed closely Donnell Vercher and Yoon Conner who each reached the 30 inch mark. Donnell has been training as much as he can while playing basketball and using the combination of both Donnell was able to raise his vertical 5 inches to 30.
Donnell wasnt the largest gain though. That belongs to the Boo Massey who has easily been the hardest working guy in our off season training. Boo increased his vertical from a measly 20 inches to 26. A gain of 6 inches is phenomenal in the short time period. With his continued hard work Boo will surpass the 30 inch mark which I consider to be a great indicator of having the ability to have success on the field. Boo was not the only player to make a big jump. Josh Meleski increased from a 22 to a 26 inch vertical and Bobby Grijalva increased to a 26 inch vertical also followed closely by a 25 out of Devin Cox. Out of our lineman Matt Miyake and Joe Coersey came in at 24 inch vertical jumps.
In the coming months I look forward to our student athletes to continue improving these vertical leaps and improving as athletes to be the best football player they can be.
Also below I proved the link of vertical jump for the NFL combine for last season by position. Not that we are there or should be there but to give you an idea of the power and explosion that is measured by the vertical jump.
http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers#tp-tab-set-1:tp-grid-container-vertical-jump
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