what can i do to increase my leaping ability, so that i can have airtime, and dunk the ball?
602785
This link is comprehensive and should answer most of your questions:\nhttp://www.ehow.com/how_5634_increase-vertical-leap.html
797091
Take a tennis ball with you at all times, and dribble it. It'll help you develop your ballhandling. Also, walk on your tiptoes, so you can increase your jumping ability...good luck & God bless!
229476
Shoot hoops, I'm better at it ;-)
761364
stretch become more flexable, make you leg muscels stronger to add height to your jumps, and learn some tumbling like cartwheels and round offs stuff like that
275978
WARMING UP\n\nBefore starting the exercises, warm up your muscles. Stretch properly, and jog around for a few minutes.\n\nIf you have a jumprope, use it. Jumping rope definitely helps your conditioning.\n\nRunning up and down stairs for a while is very useful as a warmup, or a full exercise. Don't do too much or else you may wear our your legs. Use it as a quick warmup, or a full exercise.\n\nJUMPING EXERCISES\n\nDeep Knee Bends --- Be standing. Slowly bend at the knees while keeping your back straight. Slowly crouch down as low as possible (it shouldn't hurt) and slowly rise back up. Do this 15 times. Over time increase to 20, 30, etc.\n\nDeep Knee Bend Jumps --- Be standing. Crouch down as described above but fairly quickly, almost touching your bottom to the ground, then explode upwards as high as you can. The moment you land, immediately crouch and launch back up again. Do this 15 times, and when you can, increase to 20, 30, etc.\n\nToe Raises --- Stand regularly, then raise up onto the tips of your toes. Lower back down. Don't just rock up and down, do it slowly (not too slowly) but steadily. Repeat 30-50 times.\n\nToe-Raise with Weights --- If you have any sort of weights, holding/wearing them while doing these toe raises will help. Use small weights (a mere 5 or 10 pounds is fine) and work your way up.\n\nStomach Crunches --- We believe that sit-ups are bad for your back. Stomach crunches, where while lying on your back, using your ab muscles and keeping your back straight, you rise up just enough to lift your shoulders off the ground, are better. Do them often - perhaps for 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes at night.\n\nJumping Rope--- Jumping rope definitely helps your vertical leap. Jump rope while watching tv or something. Make it a habit. \n\n- Learn to dribble while keeping your head up. If you have to keep your head down and watch the basketball while dribbling, you aren't going to be able to see what your teammates or the defense is doing. You'll only see what's directly around you, not the whole floor, and it'll be hard to create or know what to do. Learn to dribble without actually having to look down while doing so. Crouching down makes it easier to do this.\n\n- Learn to dribble with both hands. It's hard to get equally comfortable dribbling with either hand, you'll almost always have one hand that's much easier for you to dribble with, but work to at least be comfortable dribbling with your weak hand, too. It'll make it a lot easier to create and finish moves, and it'll be harder to steal the ball from you.\n\n- Dribble with your fingers, not your palm.\n\n- Practice shots while you dribble. Learn to incorporate getting your shots off with the actual dribble moves that make them easier to do.\n\n- Remember, passing the ball is quicker than dribbling it.
1005656
Run. Alot. I run track and it helps immensely on the court. Just think, you run a couple miles everyday, then in a game, you run maybe, say, 1/4 mile. You'll be great. You'll beat your man up the floor everytime! And shoot alot too. Work on defensive drills as well as offensive. This may sound weird, but try taking tap dancing lessons. I know that sounds extremely odd but, the coaches recomd it because it makes for faster foot movement. Also, get in the gym alot, get a liftng plan going. Check it out. See if that works. Good Luck
762295
stretching doesnt help u jump higher, it losens u up before a game so u wont pull anything and that way ull be able to jump higher right at the beginning of the game or practice...if u work out ur calves alot and ur thighs also u will jump higher quicker.  I could only dunk a tennis ball at the beginning of the school year and now i can dunk a volleyball (im only 5'9).  working out my calves has helped the most
826827
u have hops my friend.  u nee to get 6 inches above the rim to dunk though.  try doing lunges wit hdumbells or frog jumps.  these strengthen legs without adding extra bulk.  just hit the gym and stay in shape.
891125
Stretch out your calves a lot. Roll your ankles around to get them loose. \n\nTo get pumped up for the game, watch a basketball game on TV. If you can't get to a TV, listen to really upbeat and loud music.
1090957
Shoot the basketball every day. Practice driving into the lane and laying the ball into the basket. Also practice your rebounding. Try to improve your vertical leap and quickness off the dribble. When you are in a basketball game, shoot the ball with confidence. Don't be thinking that you are going to miss your shot. Be thinking that the ball is going to go in the basket.
1056360
I think it a decent amount does have to do with genetics too.  If you have a lot of fast twich muscle fibers in your hamstrings, quadriceps, and calves..you may be able to do it.  But, unless you are somewhat close already..and I'm talking touching rim..I don't think you can get to dunking.  If you are close, however, I think you may have a chance...you need to practice jump squats for explosive leaping.  Good luck.
443310
Practice\n\nPut some wieghts on your legs when you jump.
428062
You need to want it more than anyone...\n\nGet up and practice when everyone is sleeping...\n\nLift weights, run sprints, practice your free throws, focus mainly on your hamstrings and calves when you work out...\n\nPractice taking off for your leaps with your strong foot...\n\nIE explode to the hoop...Make your strongest step your last step, you will get it soon enough...I never thought I would, but it happens...\n\nPractice while you are young enough. Time flies, and then you can't play anymore...keep your head up, do your best. its worth it.
779012
dribble a ball down the right side and do a lay up \nthen rebound and run down the left side and get the rebound and keep doing that (u need a full court gym tho!)
67567
Strengthening your legs and their fast-twitch muscle fibers can add inches to your vertical jump. This can help your basketball, volleyball or football game tremendously. \n\nThe Program  \n  \n  Steps:  \n1.   Begin every workout by warming up your muscles and then doing extensive leg stretches. Because you'll be building muscle fibers that are used for explosive activities such as jumping, stretching is of the utmost importance.  \n  \n2.   Jump rope for its excellent cardiovascular conditioning. This step should never be skipped, as it will be an important contributor to your results.  \n  \n3.   Sprint. This builds muscle, which will add to your jumping ability.  \n  \n4.   Run stairs on your toes. Start by running up a flight, one step at a time. Walk down and run back up, taking two steps at a time. Repeat as many times as you can manage.  \n  \n5.   Do sets of elevated jumps (see the next section).  \n  \n6.   Do sets of explosive jumps (see the third section).  \n  \n7.   Do sets of double jumps (see the third section).  \n  \n8.   Rest your legs at least two days a week. Results will come from sustaining the exercise program, not performing it aggressively for a few weeks and then slacking off.  \n  \n  \nElevated Jumps  \n  \n  Steps:  \n1.   Begin by placing a step bench or platform on the ground (many health clubs have a platform for just this purpose).  \n  \n2.   Stand on the platform, then jump backward onto the ground, concentrating on landing softly.  \n  \n3.   Jump back onto the platform immediately, with a bouncing motion.  \n  \n4.   Complete three sets of 10 repetitions. Be very careful when performing this exercise, as there is a potential for injury.  \n  \n  \nExplosive Leg Jumps and Double Jumps  \n  \n  Steps:  \n1.   Position yourself for an explosive leg jump by facing a secure platform and placing your right foot on it.  \n  \n2.   Jump as high as you can, concentrating on exploding off the right leg. Scissor your legs once in the air, then land with your left foot on the platform and your right foot on the floor. Gather yourself and explode upward again, this time off the left foot.  \n  \n3.   Do three sets of 10 repetitions, resting for about 30 seconds to 1 minute between sets.  \n  \n4.   Execute a double jump by jumping as high as possible with both feet from a stationary position.  \n  \n5.   Jump again immediately upon landing, using less effort.  \n  \n6.   Repeat until you've accomplished three sets of 10 jumps each.  \n  \n  \n Overall Warnings:  \n Some of these exercises, particularly stair runs and explosive leg jumps, can cause injury if not performed properly. Your knees, in particular, are especially susceptible.  \n  \n Make sure you thoroughly understand all instructions before attempting the exercises.
431920
I am a high school sophomore on varsity basketball who can dunk. There are several great programs you can use such as Air Alert and Sole Jumps. However, if you do not want to spend the money, use the plan i have come up with. Being white - lets face it less white guys can dunk - I was frustrated doing jumping exercises that got me no where. SI'mply jumping up and down had limited results. However, I got on a program of doing squats and dead lifts (two weight lifts im sure your high school has) and it improved by vertical by 12 inches. Best of Luck and keep ballin!
920086
just get a basketball dribble it bounce it up and down and try to shooooot! and make it!111111 yes