If you’re not over six feet tall, you can still learn how to dunk a basketball. Look at Earl Boykins – at 5′-5″ tall, he’s the second shortest player in the NBA (after Muggsey Bogues at 5′-3″) and the lightest at 133 pounds. And, Earl Boykins can dunk a basketball. So, height isn’t absolutely critical for dunking success, although it sure can help. But, height isn’t necessary.
So, how does Earl Boykins and other basketball players who may not be over six feet tall slam dunk the ball? They have mastered the vertical jump – plain and simple. If you’re wanting to learn how to dunk a basketball, you too can learn what it takes for that leap into the air. To help you get started, here are some tips that I’ve learned over the years that have improved my dunking skills.
Plyometric Exercise
Have you heard about plyometric exercise? Plyometrics essentially bridge the gap between speed and strength training. They include sport-specific training and trains the muscles, connective tissues and nervous system to perform the stretch-shortening cycle. What exactly can plyometrics do to help you dunk a basketball? They can help train your muscles not only in strength, but in a reduced reaction time as well. And, this reaction time is critical for a great vertical jump.