Slang Editorial :: Never Underestimate The Value Of A Holla'

Monday, July 13, 2009
To Air Is To Be Human

Check out that amazing 8" verticle leap!

As you may know, I've been playing basketball again this year in the first time in forever, and while I'm having a great time, I've been feeling a little bit limited by my pedestrian 5'10" frame. The league is filled largely with ladies and gentlemen who aren't all that tall, for the most part, but this basically means that whoever we play again sticks their biggest guy on me so that I get to play all game with a hand in my face. This point was brought to its most excessive outcome last week, when I was guarded by a 6'7" giant named Chad who, despite being by all accounts a nice and gentle man, swatted about 3 or 4 four of my shots away and, most pointedly, dunked right over me as I attempted to defend a on a fast break. He wasn't an amazing player--quoth Chad: "Dude, seriously, it's no biomechanical feat that I'm able to dunk; it would really just be a shame to all tall men if I couldn't"--but given my poor ball-handling, lack of height and relatively limited verticle leap, his size was significant enough to hamper my game to the point of frustration (despite the fact that the above .

I decided therefore today was to begin investigating some exercises that might help improve my leaping ability. I remember growing up and see ads for those funny platformed "strength" shoes that allegedly improved your leap significantly, and imagined that in 2009 there must be new and wonderful iterations of similar snake oil (or not?) silliness. I was not disappointed--see #2 and in bold below:

How to Jump Higher to Dunk a Basketball
By Anthony Lee Platinum Quality Author

Dunking a basketball has always been the source of awe for the basketball fanatics.

Sometimes, dunks can even determine the name of the outcome of a competitive and exciting game. That is why most basketball players nowadays are aiming to get the perfect dunking skills for them to be able to show off or flaunt.

However, doing such or attaining such a skill, requires a lot of discipline. That is because to be able to dunk better, the basketball player has to improve and work out his larger muscle group - the legs.

Jumping

It is very elementary. The knowledge that jumping requires agility and strength of the leg muscle group is a basic and very apparent and logical.

Jumping requires applying force to the feet, and to be able to jump higher, more force is needed.

That is why to be able to jump higher and dunk a basketball better, here are some useful tips that can be of great help to you, the basketball player.

1) Do leg exercises

There are a number of leg exercises. The good thing about it is that these exercises can be done even outside the gym. These exercises can be very simple and can be performed even if you are just standing in the bus terminal, waiting for the next ride.

a. Stand firmly on the ground. Then stand on your toes, down to the ground, and do the procedure repeatedly.

b. Jump up and down. It does not necessarily be higher.

c. Jog round if you have time. Jogging is not just a good leg exercise but also an effective cardiovascular activity.

d. Jump using a jumping rope.

e. Stretch your leg muscles every now and the. It does not only relaxes you but also improve the circulation in that muscle group.

2) Wear the best shoes when playing the game

There are good shoes out in the market nowadays that are very comfortable and ideal for basketball games. Basketball shoes currently are considered necessities in the lives of basketball players.

Sometimes, shoes add up to their confidence, which in turn boost agility, inspiration and then, performance. Imagine having a dunk, people will be staring at your shoes, so prepare for the occasion and wear the best shoes. Your shoes tell stories about you, don’t you think?

Overall, jumping higher to dunk a basketball depends on your mood during the play. Open up your mind, be happy and relaxed while playing the game.

----------------

Erm............................. really? Really? This is great because he doesn't even attempt to posit a "Seriously guys! the Air in Nikes really DOES make a huge difference!" No, this dude is literally just telling you that you will perform better if you look cool. Wow. Though, I will admit that one part of me appreciates the acknowledgement that self-confidence plays a role in success and achievement. But still! Haa. Loving life.

Just for fun, here's 5'9" Nate Robinson dunking over 7' Dwight Howard--my inspiration:

Labels: basketball, curiosities, lolgore, videos

posted by Nihilist Loves Hate, Hates Everything at 7/13/2009 03:02:00 PM 0 comments

0 Comments: