Techniques for Jumping Higher in Volleyball

Jumping is not the only skill needed to be a successful volleyball player. You have to be able to pass to teammates, defend against a hard serve and be able to think two or three shots ahead in order to hold your own on the volleyball court. However, jumping is involved in almost every shot you take and building your leaping skills can help your game significantly.

  1. Calf Exercises

    • In order to jump higher and more explosively, you need to build strength in the legs. One of the best exercises for this is toe raises. This exercise can be done any time under any circumstances. Stand with your arms at your sides and your feet flat on the ground. Push up with your heels so your toes are the only part of your feet on the ground. Return to the original position. Do this 15 times, take a 30-second break and repeat the set. If you are serious about building strength in your calf muscles, you can follow this routine three or four times per day.

    Shuttle Run

    • Go into the gym and place a baton about 25 feet from the endline on a basketball court. place another one 40 feet away and a third about 50 feet away. Sprint to the first baton, pick it up and return to the endline, placing the baton on the ground. Now sprint to the second baton, pick it up and return it to the baseline. Do this with the third one as well. The sprinting action and constant starting and stopping will build explosive power in your thigh and calf muscles.

    Diet Change

    • Give your body the right fuel to work with to increase your leaping ability. Cut out as much red meat as you can from your diet and replace it with leaner chicken and fish. Eat as much fruits and vegetables as you can to the point where your take cut-up carrots and red peppers with you and eat them as a snack along with apples and grapes. Cut out candy, sweets and carbohydrates in order to give your body an opportunity to burn fuel efficiently.

    Jump Shoes

    • Jump shoes or jump soles are training shoes worn by volleyball and basketball players along with other athletes who want to jump higher. These are heavy and awkward-looking shoes that force the legs to work harder in normal activities such as walking or climbing stairs. They also help legs get stronger. If you wear them for 45 minutes to an hour and then take them off, your legs will feel stronger and have more spring.