| How to Dunk a Basketball: 8 Tips by Connor Ferris So you're working hard to finally learn how to dunk a basketball. Oh, how rewarding it can be! Few things in sports beat the thrill of dunking the ball, especially one that takes place during an actual game. Unless you're blessed with extraordinary height, it takes work to make it happen. It's very possible if you work hard at it though. Here are some tips to help you in your quest. 1. Almost able to dunk? If you can reach the rim, you've gotten past one huge hurdle in learning how to dunk a basketball, but dunking a ball as heavy as a basketball can be pretty challenging in and of itself. Practice with a tennis or golf ball first, and then move onto a volleyball. 2. Stand directly under the hoop and jump without running starts. Do this in sets of 25 at a time, jumping as high as you can on each attempt and never resting more than three seconds in between jumps. 3. Do squats. These build the quadricep muscles and act as a major source of leg strength. 4. Work the back of your legs (hamstring muscles and calves). All of these things will make your jumps more explosive and you'll be one step closer to knowing how to dunk a basketball. 5. Everyone knows that your legs must be strong, but few people realize that a strong stomach and a strong lower back really help out too. Do sit-ups and some other exercises that focus on these parts of the body. 6. Make sure you own a comfortable set of basketball shoes. They should be lightweight enough for you not to be impacted by the size of the shoes. 7. Eat healthy foods! Doritos, soda, pizza, and all of the other guilty pleasures are great, but they actually hinder your vertical. If you're serious about learning how to dunk a basketball, a diet adjustment will do you good. Trust me on that. 8. Buy a system that teaches you how to dunk a basketball if you're really serious. If followed seriously, verticals can increase by over a foot within a month or two. This is exactly what did it for me. About the Author: To find out exactly what I used to learn how to dunk in basketball and the methods that will end up increasing a vertical, check out my blog. |