How to Calculate Hang Time

In basketball and football, an athlete's "hang time" refers to the total length of time for which both of his feet are off the ground during a jump. Whether you jump straight up in the air or at an angle, the length of your hang time is ultimately determined by the jump's vertical height, i.e., the maximum net distance the body moves upward.

Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the maximum height of the jump, in meters.

    • 2

      Multiply this height by 2.

    • 3

      Divide by 9.8 meters per second squared.

    • 4

      Take the square root of the result from Step 3. This represents exactly one half of the total hang time, in seconds.

    • 5

      Multiply by 2 to calculate the total hang time for the jump.