Basketball jump training · Apex, NC
Basketball jump training for the rebound, the finish and the landing
A basketball player leaves the floor off two feet to rebound and off one foot to finish. We test both, in inches, before we train either.
A bigger vertical is not just more jumping
Between practice, games and AAU weekends, a player already jumps a lot.
Adding more jumps on top of that seldom adds height. What usually holds the vertical back is force: how hard the legs and hips can drive into the floor in a fraction of a second.
The other half is what happens on the way down. Every rebound ends in a crowded landing, often on one foot, often off balance.
What we measure
- Countermovement jump — the two-foot, dip-and-go jump behind a rebound or a block, in inches.
- Single-leg jump, left and right — the one-foot takeoff behind a layup or a running finish. A strong side can hide a weak one in a two-foot number, so each leg gets its own.
- How the athlete lands — knees, hips and trunk on video, two feet and one. Landing control is where knee risk lives, especially for girls.
All of it is recorded with Output Sports technology, so the same test reads the same way each time.
Want to see what measured change looks like? Our results page shows before-and-after numbers from real athletes.
How the training works
- Build the base. Squats, hinges and split-stance work, coached first and loaded slowly. A stronger player has more to put into the floor.
- Turn strength into spring. Loaded jumps, throws and short jump sets done fresh, every rep at full effort, with real rest between.
- Practice the landing. Two-foot and one-foot landings, then landings after contact and off balance, the way a rebound actually ends.
- Fit it around the season. We count jumps across practice, games and tournaments, and adjust the dose so a player shows up to games with legs.
Where we train
Small groups of 3–5 athletes at The Performance Academy, 1010 Classic Rd, Apex — a short drive from Cary, Holly Springs, Morrisville, Fuquay-Varina and Raleigh. Directions.
Coming from Pittsboro or Wendell? The same program is available online through the Athlete Academy app, with video feedback on jumps and landings, and testing done in person in Apex.
Start with an Evaluation DayQuestions parents ask
Can a basketball player really add inches to a vertical?
Often, yes, but how much depends on age, growth, training history and current strength. Players who have never trained strength tend to have the most room. We test first so you see the real starting number, and re-test so you see whether it moved.
Why test one-foot jumps separately?
Many finishes come off one foot, and many players are noticeably stronger on one side. A two-foot jump lets the stronger leg cover for the weaker one. Testing each leg shows a gap early, while it is easy to train.
Is jump training safe for a growing player?
Basketball players already jump and land hundreds of times a week. Coached landing and strength work gives the body a better way to handle that load. Any pain or injury goes to a medical professional first, and we plan around growth spurts.
Do you keep training during the high school or AAU season?
Yes, with less volume. In season we keep strength work in, cut back on jumps and plan around game days and tournament weekends.
Where is the gym?
The Performance Academy, 1010 Classic Rd, Apex, NC 27539. We train in person with families from Apex, Cary, Raleigh, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina and Morrisville. Athletes in Pittsboro, Wendell and beyond train online, with testing in Apex.