How are vertical jumps measured is a question that each and every aspiring athlete needs an answer to.
When you jump high up in the air using your entire body as a propelling force, it is termed as a vertical jump.
You can either jump from a standing position or after taking a small run-up. The former is a more apt form of measuring a vertical jump. The latter was developed later on (NBA drafting) as it was more apt to sporting performance (encourages natural body movement).
There is no specific vertical jump test protocol yet, there is a defined way of assessing this athletic act. I shall be discussing the how vertical jump is measured across the globe.
Be rest assured- it is an ideal way to ascertain the explosive power, speed, agility an athletic performance of an individual. So, let me get started with this article real quick:
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The Contents of How are Vertical Jumps Measured Article:
1) What is the Vertical Jump Test Definition?
2) What does the Vertical Jump Test Measure?
3) What is the Vertical Jump Test Equipment?
4) What are the Vertical Jump Test Steps?
5) Is there a Vertical Jump Test Protocol that You need to Follow?
6) What Score is Considered Good in Vertical Jump Test?
7) What are the Pros and Cons of Vertical Jump Test?
8) The Final Chapter
What is the Vertical Jump Test Definition?
Vertical jump test definition is the difference between your highest standing reach subtracted from your highest vertical leap. Simply put, leap in the air with your hands outstretched towards the sky and obtain the highest measurement.
Now, stand stationary and reach towards the sky with your hand outstretched. This time, you do not need to leap but just stand without an outstretched hand. Measure the highest point.
Now, deduct the highest point obtained via the vertical leap from the highest point obtained from a standing position. The distance thus obtained is termed as your vertical jump.
Tip: The distance between your standing reach and vertical leap is measured in inches. A good posture, correct technique, explosive movement and clear mind are needed to achieve the highest vertical jump.
What does the Vertical Jump Test Measure?
As I have explained in the above sub-header, a vertical jump is the measurement of an athlete’s vertical leap minus the standing reach. The vertical jump can be measured with the arm outstretched towards the sky. It may also be determined with the arm placed by your side.
You may make use of a squat based jump while measuring your vertical leap. At the same time, countermovement jump may also be used to measure your vertical jump. So, both these method are officially approved while measuring the maximum explosive power of an athlete.
The vertical jump test measures the power, strength and agility of an athlete. This is with special regards to the ‘explosive’ element displayed by the concerned athlete. Via this test, coaches can determine the potential of an athlete to excel in a particular sport.
If for example, you wish to excel in basketball then, you need to jump high to dunk the ball. When your lower body is strong, it helps you deliver the explosive power needed to dunk the basketball (and vice versa).
Vertical jump test is therefore a great way for a coach to determine whether an athlete is fit to make it in the college team or not.
What is the Vertical Jump Test Equipment?
The equipment needed to measure vertical jump varies depending on the type of vertical jump test that you are going to perform. There are basically two types of vertical jump tests.
The first one makes use of equipment whereas the other one does not. From equipment, I imply that you need to make use of products that need to be purchased from the market.
The equipment based tests can be further sub-divided into an affordable and an expensive one.
Let me walk you through each of these in brief:
Vertical Jump Test without Equipment:
In this particular test, you do not have to head to the sport store and purchase equipment. While you do need the basics, there is hardly any expense involved in procuring these.
This is why I term this test as a vertical jump test that does not need any equipment. You would however need a measuring tape, a marker pen and a wall. All these are usually readily available at home.
The cost of these items should be less than $10.
Vertical Jump Test with Equipment:
This is ideally a popular way to measure the explosive power of an athlete. It involves the use of a frame that is usually made from stainless steel. Within the frame are placed vanes in a horizontal format.
The distance between the vanes is usually half an inch. You could have anywhere from six to the twelve inch adjustment in the present vanes. They are height adjustable and the frame is balanced onto an ‘L’ shaped stand for greater stability.
The price of a vert pole varies from $150 to $500.
Vertical Jump Test with Advance Equipment:
If you are an advanced level athlete then, you would need more equipment. Some of the add-ons to the vert pole include a laptop, a jumping mat, forcing plates, a connecting cable and software application for analyzing the date.
The cost of this equipment can run into thousands of dollars. You need such advanced equipment and analytic data software only when you are a professional athlete.
What are the Vertical Jump Test Steps?
As I have mentioned above, there are two types of vertical jump tests. The first one does not make use of any fancy equipment. The other one (on the other hand) does make use of equipment that may be expensive for some.
Let us now take a look at both these methods in brief:
How to Measure Vertical Jump at Home without Buying any Equipment?
When you are measuring your vertical jump at home, you need absolutely no extra equipment. You can do with a chalk and a measuring tape. These are usually available at everyone’s home.
You also need a wall, which is higher than your highest vertical leap. Usually, a twenty foot wall shall suffice. So, you can pick your garage or any other place in your home that has a high wall.
Vertical Jump Test Protocol without Equipment
Step # 1: Stand against a wall and mark the tip of the fingers of your right hand with washable wet paint/market/chalk.
Step # 2: Reach out high and touch the wall with the tip of your fingers. Do not raise the heel of your foot off the ground. This is your standing reach.
Step # 3: Keep standing against the wall and then lunge upwards. You should jump as high as you possibly can.
Step # 4: Touch the wall at the highest point of your jump. Leave behind the mark via your fingertips.
Step # 5: Take a measuring tape to measure your standing reach as well as your vertical reach.
Step # 6: Subtract your vertical leap with your standing reach. The final result is termed as your vertical jump.
Your vertical jump = vertical jump reach (-) your standing reach.
How to Measure Vertical Jump using Vertec?
The second way to measure vertical jump is via the aid of Vertec. This is a piece of equipment that contains several horizontal vanes placed within a steel bracket. These can be adjusted as per the requirement of the athlete.
The rule remains the same.
Step # 1: Your Jump height is subtracted from your standing reach. Over here, you do not need a wall as the Vertec stands alone (balanced on an ‘L’ shaped platform made of steel).
Step # 2: So, you need to stand next to the Vertec machine (like you did without any equipment) and reach high. The highest point where your finger makes contact with the vane is your ‘vertical reach height’.
Step # 3: You now need to stand on the ground and jump high in the air. It should be an explosive jump from a stationary position.
Step # 4: The point wherein your fingers touch the vane is your vertical jump height.
Step # 5: Simply subtract the maximum jump height point with your maximum standing reach. The result is your vertical jump.
How does the NBA Measure Vertical Jump?
The National Basketball League measures vertical jump using the vertec shock method. There is a standing as well as a running jump. So, the jump here helps the concerned athlete to get drafted.
The Run-Up Vertical Jump:
In this vertical jump test, the basketball player is asked to take a short run-up before leaping high in the air. The athlete touches the vanes of the Vertec machine to obtain the vertical jump height.
On the Spot Vertical Jump:
This is a standard jump wherein the explosive propelling of the body upwards is initiated from a stationary position. The subtraction from the highest jump reach from the standing reach deduces the vertical jump height in inches.
Is there a Vertical Jump Test Protocol that You need to Follow?
Well, the protocol that needs to be followed has already been discussed above. Vertical jump test can be conducted with or without equipment.
Anyhow, if it is to be done in a professional manner then, the equipment is expensive and the procedure tedious. Force plates and software to analyze your explosive power, is fed into a laptop.
This is then strained via special software applications that gauge your vertical jump. The final analysis is to unearth your progress with regards to your power and athleticism.
Here is the vertical jump test protocol every serious athlete should adhere to:
Protocol # 1: You need to step on the side of the vertec pole (vert shock system is ideal in this case). You need to paste some chalk onto your fingertips to mark your reach.
Protocol # 2: Always make sure that your feet are firmly planted onto the ground. Your heels should not be raised off the ground.
Protocol # 3: The vertical jump may or may not involve countermovement. Nonetheless, moving the arms as you jump high is ideal. This is because it is a natural sporting movement.
Protocol # 4: Use your hip and calf strength to generate the explosive power that you need to maximize your vertical jump.
Protocol # 5: You should check your weight often. Judge your vertical jump after taking the best of maybe 3 or 5 jumps.
Protocol # 6: When you make use of jump mats, your data is automatically processed to be incorporated into a laptop for further assessment. This is true with force plates as well.
Protocol # 7: Try using advanced vertical jump assessment software such as Bioware. This shall help you derive force, power and other vital data pertaining to your athletic performance.
What Score is Considered Good in Vertical Jump Test?
You can jump in various ways in order to achieve a vertical jump. It could be a standing jump, a squat jump or a counter-movement jump. In some cases, aggressive hand movement may also be accompanying your jump.
So, the scoring of that particular vertical jump depends completely on your chosen jumping style. Also, your gender plays a major role in determining whether a score is to be considered good or bad.
For example, we are measuring vertical jump using the vertec tool.
For Men: So, if a male achieves a vertical jump of 24 inches and above, it is considered a very good achievement. Anything below the 12 inch mark is considered to be very poor.
For Women: As far as females are concerned then, a vertical jump of 20 inches and above is considered as very good. Any jump that is below the 4 inch mark is considered to be very poor.
Vertical jump should also be analyzed according to the age-groups. For example, the jump height of a 10 year old kid cannot be compared to the vertical jump of an 18 year old.
What are the Pros and Cons of Vertical Jump Test?
Like any other product or service that we use, vertical jump too has its fair share of pros and cons attached. So, you need to consider these before opting for this test.
Just to be on the same page, vertical jump test is considered to be a universally reliable technique.
Nonetheless, with the additional equipment such as force plates, complexity does increase in the measurement process. The same goes with jump mats.
What are the distinct Advantages of a Vertical Jump Test?
>>> It is cheap and accurate. Just get a chalk and a measuring tape to measure your vertical jump.
>>> For more reliable measurement, spend a few hundred dollars to get a vertec pole.
>>> You may even hope to add a software application to your laptop, feed in your vertical jump figures and analyze the data. It shall cost you a few hundred dollars more but your training regime shall improve.
>>> The safety element here is predominant. There is no risk in using both vertec machine and DIY methods.
>>> Vertical jump test helps you maintain your fitness levels. It even prompts you to become fitter.
>>> Vertical jump test is an ideal way to help you become better in almost each and every sporting activity.
>>> You improve your power, agility and explosive ability while performing vertical jumps.
What are the distinct Disadvantages of a Vertical Jump Test?
>>> You can jump higher when you use hand movements or squat jumps as compared to jumping from a stationary position.
>>> If you use a jump mat then again, your vertical jump shall be better than when you jump without it.
>>> In case you are on the heavier side then again, your extra body weight shall compel you to achieve a poor vertical jump (as compared to an athlete who is lighter than you in weight).
The Final Chapter
Vertical jump test is an ideal way to assess the athletic potential of a budding sportsperson. While there is no official standard for measuring the vertical jump, you can take your pick (with regards to your chosen method) and ascertain your explosive potential.
The final result can then be manipulated to enhance your sporting potential. It also needs to be noted that almost each and every sport benefits when your vertical leap is optimal.
So, keeping a close track of your vertical leap can help you ‘make it’ or ‘break out’ of the College sporting team. If you are short on funds, opt for a vertical jump measurement without any equipment. In case you have spare funds then, opt for a vertec machine instead.
The final choice is completely yours!