Vertical jump by age is a mechanism for gauging the athletic performance of a sportsperson as per his/her age.
Regardless of whether the sport is basketball, volleyball, high jump, long jump, squash or even tennis, vertical jump is essential for developing explosive athletic potential.
Age is a great factor when we discuss the ideal height of a vertical jump. It is but obvious that a 9 year old athlete cannot have a jump that is equivalent to a 19 year old. Vertical jump test norms per age are therefore a vital topic of discussion.
So, in this article, we shall discuss the ideal vertical jump for athletes of various age-groups:
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Vertical Jump by Age Write-up Contents:
1) What Is Vertical Jump Test Norms Per Age?
2) How is Vertical Jump Measured According to the Age of an Athlete?
3) What is the Average Vertical Jump for a 10 Year Old Athlete?
4) What is the Average Vertical Jump for an 11 Year Old Athlete?
5) What is the Average Vertical Jump for a 12 to 14 Year Old Athlete?
6) What is the Average Vertical Jump for a 15 to 18 Year Old Athlete?
7) What is the Average Vertical Jump for a 20 to 30 Year Old Athlete?
8) What is the Average Vertical Jump for a 30 to 40 Year Old Athlete?
9) What is the Average Vertical Jump for a 40 to 50 Year Old Athlete?
10) What is the Average Vertical Jump for a 50 to 60 Year Old Athlete?
11) Conclusion
What Is Vertical Jump Test Norms Per Age?
A vertical jump is a feat to measure the explosive capability of an athlete. Regardless of whether you play basketball or volleyball, the explosive power required to dunk or smash a ball is derived from the lower half of the athlete’s body.
In order to generate this power, the athlete needs to work on his/her lower body. While weight related exercises (squats, deadlift, weighted jump squats) cannot be performed in the formative ages of an athlete, to gain competitive edge, there needs to be some form of power-development exercise for younger athletes.
Vertical jump is one such exercise form that can help develop the much needed ‘sudden muscle explosion’ in a younger athlete. So, this is perhaps one of the finest exercise forms for those athletes who cannot train with free weights or machines (owing to their growing body that may be harmed via free weight training).
How is Vertical Jump Measured According to the Age of the Athlete?
There is no age related measurement to a vertical jump. In order to measure a jump, you need to follow a standard procedure. You could either use a Vert machine or DIY. I prefer DIY (do it yourself method) as it is easy and incurs zero expenditure.
Here is how a Vertical Jump is measured according to the Age of an Athlete:
The Standing Vertical Jump:
This is a standard procedure that involves an athlete of any age to stand against a wall. After marking the fingertips (of the dominant arm) with chalk, the athlete is asked to bend his knees in a semi-squat position and then jump high in the air.
While heading upwards, the concerned athlete should raise his/her dominant arm and mark the highest point on the wall via his chalk-dabbed fingers. The athlete may or may not swing his/her arm while pushing the body in the air.
This is the athlete’s highest jump reach.
Thereafter, the same athlete shall stand next to the wall (feet placed firmly onto the ground) and stretch his/her dominant arm high in the air. Mark the highest point of reach via the fingers that are dabbed with chalk power. This is the athlete’s standing reach.
Deduct the highest jump reach of the athlete with the highest standing reach. You have successfully deduced the vertical jump of the athlete.
The Running Vertical Jump:
This is a vertical jump that is approved by the NBA. So, if you are a young basketball player aspiring to play the game professionally then, you should try this jump-form as well.
Here, the athlete may use a vert machine for the measurement or a wall (DIY method). I prefer DIY methods – so, a wall is just fine. The athlete should take a short run-up towards the wall and turn sideways when he/she is close to the wall.
Reach out with your dominant arm and spring upwards. Mark the highest point via the fingertips (assuming they are smeared with chalk powder). This is your highest running vertical jump.
Highest Running Jump Minus Highest Standing Reach:
Measuring the standing reach remains the same. Stretch your dominant arm up towards the wall. Mark the highest point with your fingertips (smeared with chalk). Your feet need to be planted firmly onto the ground while you do so.
To calculate your highest running vertical jump, simply subtract your highest jump with the standing reach. The final result is your running vertical jump.
What is the Average Vertical Jump for a 10 Year Old Athlete?
When you are 10 years of age then, you are developing your body. This is an age wherein your body has just started to evolve. It is far from puberty yet, their body shall start to display signs of the same.
A 10 year old shall start developing oily skin, hair growth is increased and your sweat shall increase considerably. The body has better co-ordination and your physical balance improves considerably.
Even the agility level of an 11 year old athlete displays remarkable improvement. As far as the vertical jump is concerned then, it varies as per the gender. On an average, a 10 year old girl’s vertical jump is 8 inches. For a 10 year old boy, it is close to 12 inches.
What is the Average Vertical Jump for an 11 Year Old Athlete?
The physical as well as mental development of an 11 year old is speedy. The child displays visible signs of puberty. Aches and pains of a growing body are also experienced by the child.
The child is bound to consume more food as growth spurts propel the body to consume more nutrients. Even the sleep requirement of the child increases considerably.
An 11 year old girl has an average vertical jump of around 9 inches. As far as an 11 year old boy is concerned then, his vertical jump should average around 12 inches.
What is the Average Vertical Jump for a 12 to 14 Year Old Athlete?
When the athlete is in between the ages of 12 to 14 years then, puberty begins to show its effects quite visibly. The boy tends to develop pubic hair and his voice deepens. Breasts and pubic hair development in girls is also prominent.
Body balance, development of muscles and agility is far better in these years. The child is also able to develop better co-ordination owing to improved cognitive & motor skills.
As far as the vertical jump of a boy (12 to 14 year age-group) is concerned then, it ranges in between the 13 inch to 16 inches. For girls of the same age group, the average vertical jump is in between 10 inches to 13 inches.
What is the Average Vertical Jump for a 15 to 18 Year Old Athlete?
When the athlete turns 15 years of age, the physical as well as mental development is at rampant speed. Muscles start to develop and the mind is free of parental attachment. Leading an independent life is a priority.
Work pressure and schoolwork tends to start stressing out the concerned individual. Muscles, bones and tissues are developing fast. Stamina is at its peak and the adrenaline rush is high.
So a 15 to 18 year old athlete can be expected to jump really high (owing to well-developed muscles of the lower body). A boy of this age group averages in between 15 inches to 20 inches (vertical jump). A girl between 15 years and 18 years of age has a vertical jump in between 11 inches and 15 inches.
What is the Average Vertical Jump for a 20 to 30 Year Old Athlete?
Well, in this age group, both men and women are fairly healthy. They are able to maintain a healthy body fat percentage (18% to 21%). Their agility, speed, explosive power and stamina are excellent.
There is no issue with special regards to their physical recovery after a sporting event. So, an ideal vertical jump for athletes in their 20s and till the 30 year age mark is around 20 inches for men and 15 inches for women.
What is the Average Vertical Jump for a 30 to 40 Year Old Athlete?
When you are in your early thirties then, your body fat percentage is in the healthy range – below 24%. As you touch the 40 year mark, it may exceed to the 32% mark.
Your metabolism slows down and your muscle mass tends to decrease. Your stamina dips and your joints/muscles/bones ache after a strenuous workout session. Your body takes longer to recover.
Loss of muscle mass @ 5% is possible in both males and females. Your muscle strengths saps and your energy levels are low. Fat starts to accumulate in and around your belly area.
The average vertical jump of an active athlete in the 30 to 40 age-group is around 17 inches. For a woman aged between 30 to 40 years, the average vertical jump is 14 inches.
What is the Average Vertical Jump for a 40 to 50 Year Old Athlete?
When you are in your 40s then, loss of bones mass is evident. Strength, agility, stamina and explosive strength also decreases rapidly. Metabolism slows down and your body fat percentage can go up to 30%.
Your muscle tends to stiffen and you tend to recover slowly after a workout session. Standing tall becomes an issue as posture deteriorates. Nonetheless, regular exercise can help combat the loss of unwanted inches from your height (owing to poor body posture).
Men belonging to the 40 to 50 age mark tend to have a vertical jump of about 14 inches (on an average). Women of the same age group (40 to 50 years) tend to have a vertical jump of 10 inches.
What is the Average Vertical Jump for a 50 to 60 Year Old Athlete?
When you are in the 50 to 60 year age bracket, your body fat is about 28%. Women may have 31% body fat. Your weight tends to increase by about 4 pounds (owing to higher body fat percentage).
Strength in the body reduces and you are indeed stiff. You cannot lift weights every day (3 days a week is sufficient). Your skin elasticity deteriorates and your explosive power diminishes. You cannot perform high impact exercises with the same intensity.
Men aged between 50 to 60 years have an average vertical jump of 11 inches. Women aged between 50 to 60 years tend to have a vertical jump of 7 inches.
Vertical Jump by Age – Conclusive Analysis:
When you are analyzing vertical jump by age then, it all depends on the athletic potential of the concerned athlete. Athletes in their 20s and early 30s exhibit maximum muscle development. Hence, they are able to achieve maximum vertical jumps.
When you are younger (10 to 18 years of age) then, your body is developing. This in turn implies that your body’s explosive potential is rising rapidly. When you are in your mid-30’s then, your body’s strength, agility and explosiveness starts to diminish.
As your age further, your vertical jump reduces. So, vertical jump by age determines at what age your jump is at its highest and at what age your vertical jump is at its lowest.