Want to leap and slam dunk like Michael ‘Air’ Jordan, the greatest basketball shooting guard in NBA history? What basketball fan or would-be pro wouldn’t? But you know it doesn’t just happen. Rather it is the outcome of a lifelong dedication to training, practice and proper focused workouts.

Your leg muscles are the key to jumping as high as or higher than your opponents on the court but its hours, days and years of relentless repetition spent working those muscles that make it possible. Achieving maximum height without conscious thought requires putting all of your energy into to your feet, and having your leg muscles lengthened, strengthened and powerful.

Here are the basic principles that will enable you to jump higher in basketball. These are indispensable tools that can increase your vertical to put you in the position at least to be a great basketball player.

Do rigorous leg workouts daily

• Get to understand the workings of your legs’ anatomy. Visualize the muscles and the linkages in your body but especially your legs. Learn all of the well-known leg exercises. You don’t need a gym or special equipment to build your leg muscles. Many of these exercises are small, simple and can be done just anywhere and everywhere as you go about your business.
• Stand with your back straight and repeatedly rise up onto the balls of your feet and your toes. Do this over and over moving steadily and in a controlled way.
• Jump repeatedly and steadily up and down. It is not about height, just working those foot muscles.
• Jogging on the spot or in limited circles is great for the legs and aerobically for the heart and lungs too.
• Work like a boxer with a skipping rope. Two legs, then one leg at a time ensuring you work both legs for equal time. Check out the Internet for other ‘power’ skipping workouts as well as other recommended leg workouts.
• Stretch your leg muscles frequently. Even when you are sitting this not only relaxes your muscles but improves your whole circulation.
  Always warm up steadily and warm down at your full workout sessions.
• Wear the best shoes

Modern high tech shoes specifically designed for basketball are essential in the modern game. There are many great brands on the market all combining very lightweight with tremendous ankle support. Anything with Michael Jordan’s endorsement will cost you more but will be good. They will wear out quickly as jumping puts strain from your legs into the shoes. Always ensure your shoes are in prime condition because if they let you down, serious injury can follow.

Michael Jordan and all great athletes will tell you that sport is won or lost in the mind before you ever get on a court. A good coach and supportive teammates are essential too but your mental approach will ultimately determine how high you fly. Do you have what it takes to build the leg muscles that will let you jump higher in basketball?

If you want to jump higher within two weeks, click on the link below and find out what some basketball players do to improve their jumping technique.