How Jumping Higher Will Ruin your Game

One fundamental truth has remained the same for many years and is very evident today. There is one and only one path to becoming a good basketball player. Hard work! This truth has been proved over and over for the past century and remains a proven template for basketball players.

Young people are besieged by products, gimmicks and advertising that proclaim secrets to success. Our society as a whole would rather use the drive up window to pick up dinner than get out of the car. Our world attempts to take every task and make it easier. Certainly there are benefits of the microwave oven and more efficient cars. The problem lies in an athlete's approach to athletic success as they grow up in this fast food world.

I am often amused by the ads for jumping shoes or machines. These ads claim incredible results and rapid increase in vertical jump. I don't doubt that these products and claims are legitimate and sound. What strikes me about it is that jumping is one of dozens of skills a player must have to excel or just to reach his potential. Of these dozens of skills, I would rate explosive jumping ability at the bottom of the list.

The following list will explain why players waste their time pursuing the goal to be a great jumper.

1. Joey Johnson is a household name in basketball, isn't he? No, of course he isn't. In fact, I doubt whether you've ever heard of him. I saw video of Joey in high school and he is probably the greatest leaper in the history of high school and college basketball. His problem was that jumping defined his game and led to average ball skills, knowledge, and shooting ability. Show me a player who is described as a great leaper and I'll bet the rest of his game is lacking.

2. In my 18 year college coaching career I recruited hundreds of players. Not one of them was recruited because of his jumping ability. Unfortunately, I saw many players who could jump but could not play and never made it to the college basketball arena.

3. Steve Nash has been the NBA's MVP for the past two seasons because he knows how to play and has an incredible desire for the game. You won't see him on the list of great leapers anytime soon.

4. According to fans of the game, leaping ability will enhance rebounding and shot blocking ability. This is a fallacy. Great rebounders will tell you that position, balance and lower body strength are the keys to getting the ball around the basket. Charles Barkley proved that for years at Auburn and in the NBA. The art of shot blocking is one of the most overrated skills a player could have because most blocked shots end up out of bounds.

5. Developing into a good player is still about passing, dribbling, and shooting. If this is the case, why does todays player work so much on dunking the basketball.

What is most disturbing about young players is their inability to grasp the true elements of the game that need attention daily. If a young man wants to increase his jumping ability I'm all for it. Too often, though, it comes at the expense of working on the fundamentals of the game. Good players have balance and have mastered the pivot. They can handle the ball in every game situation without turnovers. They don't leave the floor to pass and make sure passes that arrive safely at their destination. Shooting is worked on daily hundreds of shots at a time. The good player is a devoted viewer of video tape to critically analyze his own game and how it can be improved. Footwork is an anchor for all good players and must be worked on daily. Reading screens, penetrating, sealing to rebound, cutting, and communication are cornerstones of the game.

Players become good because they have a game plan and put that plan in action. Hard work is the only thing between any player and the end result. Today, just being a good high school player does not guarantee a college scholarship. Hundreds of excellent, hard working players are passed up every year for the opportunity to play in college. If your goal is to become the best high school player you can be, then go for it. If college basketball is your desire, set a goal and persevere until your goal is reached. Work only on the skills that will truly make you better. Avoid the quick fix method to basketball success. The temptation is there for those who are not willing to work for their goals and dreams. Stay true to yourself and work your dream everyday.