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It is the most celebrated shot in basketball. It is the dream of most averageplayers and it is an in-the-face “statement” that a good player makes to a defender. It is the slam dunk. We all know WHAT it is, and most of us WISH we could do it. But how do you dunk a basketball?

Before We Get Started

Before an average player can start thinking about dunking, he should assess where he is at and be realistic. How tall a person is and his athletic abilities are the two main factors in determining if he will ever be able to dunk. We’re not saying it isn’t possible, but there are very few short players that will ever be able to jump high enough to dunk. In fact, even a six foot player will have to have above-average jumping ability in order to be able to dunk. Be realistic in your goals. At the same time, don’t limit yourself before you even get started. Many people have made spectacular increases in their vertical jumping ability. It takes hard work, but it will be worth it.

Things that should be evaluated before starting:

1.) Is height a problem? You can’t change this. You CAN learn to jump higher, but you still may never be able to dunk. But, that is okay! Develop other areas of your game.

2.) Are you carrying too much weight? By carrying more weight than you should, you are limiting yourself right from the start.

3.) How athletic are you in general? Some players just have the “gift” of being able to jump. It can be developed as well, but understand where you are starting. Get a messurement of your vertical leap before you start so you know how you are progressing.

4.) What kind of shape are you in? Jumping utilizes muscle groups from the whole body. Just having strong legs alone is not the answer.

Let’s Get Started

Begin by making sure you are in the best overall shape you can be. This includes waist, chest, shoulders, and arms as well as your legs. To ensure you can reach your ultimate jumping potential, you need to be in good shape overall. You use every part of your body while performing a jump, so it stands to reason that your entire body needs to be in shape. While this part of the process isn’t glamorous, it needs to be done. A strong foundation is necessary in order to see the best results. Start with this and you will be rewarded for your efforts.

For the remainder of the article on How To Dunk a Basketball, click here, or see our Vertical Jump Program Reviews