How to Jump Higher Off Two Feet
Jumping off two feet involves a distinct technique compared to single-leg jumps, emphasizing force application over an extended period. Here’s how to improve your two-foot jump:
Technique:
- Run-Up: Increase your run-up speed to enhance your jump. Be mindful of your leg strength and shoe traction to maintain control during takeoff.
- Penultimate Step: Take a long second-to-last step (penultimate step) before your final block step. This lowers your body, creating more opportunity for upward explosion and converting horizontal speed into vertical force.
- Planting Your Feet: Plant your feet slightly tilted towards the outside, with the first foot slightly ahead, to efficiently transform horizontal speed into vertical speed. The faster your run-up, the more extreme the angle of your body needs to be.
- Takeoff: Lower your center of gravity before takeoff to allow for more distance to accelerate vertically. At takeoff, raise your center of mass as fast and fully as possible. Fully extend your leg at the ankle, knee, and hip (triple extension) by squeezing your calves, quads, and glutes respectively. Complete a full arm swing to generate as much upward momentum as possible.
- Body Position: Maintain an upright torso as you approach your penultimate stride. This allows you to quickly push off the ground as your torso translates over your feet, stacking all the important joints, which maximizes triple extension of your ankles, knees, and hips.
Training:
- Strength Training: Combine strength and speed training on each leg to avoid muscle imbalances. Squats and deadlifts are excellent compound exercises for improving your two-foot jump.
- Walk-Throughs: Practice walk-throughs to learn the technique. Walk through the entire approach.
- Drills: Practice setting up the final three steps with a slight knee bend, keeping the weight on the ball of the foot