A number of athletes and competitive fitness enthusiasts will often look for exercises that can improve their vertical jump. This isn't just for basketball players, but also for gymnasts, track and fielders, or anyone who wants to look impressive while they are out having fun in a friendly game. A lot of time is spent focusing on leg strength, especially in the quads, but many people forget that jump training works from the bottom up.
Some of the most overlooked muscles in the body are in the feet. Why? Because people never look at you and say "wow, what toned feet you have." However, this oversight can also lead to struggled with toning up the calf, legs, and glutes. It can also be a pivotal point for improving your vertical jump.
Breaking Down Jump Training
Before looking up, it can be helpful to look down. Feet are physically pretty special, since they are the body's shock absorbers, and generate balance and improve push-off for everything from running to jumping. Most people don't really exercise their feet, because they wear shoes all the time, and this can affect sports performance.
When you really look at where the power of a vertical jump comes from, you have to look at the feet. They provide the energy that moves up through the calves and into the quads for that full explosion. So, jump training requires all these parts of the body to be in top condition for top potential.
Some of the most basic moves that help vertical jumping are all focused on the calves and feet, but they can be improved with trying them barefoot, or in sock shoes, in order to get the full effect. Experiment with box hops and jumping rope in this way, and you will notice that you not only feel the muscles working in the feet, but you will also feel them working harder in the calves and the thighs.