Out of all the skills basketball players need to be successful, a strong vertical jump is one of the most important, but it takes practice.

   Vertical jumps are not only important for reaching the net easier, but it also gives players more confidence when facing taller opponents.

   “I’ve been playing basketball since I was seven,” Sophomore Niell Ross said. “When I first started out I couldn’t get as high as I would have liked to, but now I can reach the net.” 

   Being able to reach the net is a big accomplishment for Ross, but it didn’t come without practice. 

   “I do a lot of different exercises in my workouts to help with my vertical,” Ross said.

   “One thing I do is hold dumbbells and do lateral squats. I also practice with a resistance band sometimes to test how much improvement I’ve made and see how much further I can go,” Ross said.

   Weight training exercises like this are great for building leg muscles, which are essential for pushing yourself further into the air. There’s also many other creative ways to improve your strength.

   “I do a lot of training with tires,” Junior Will Winn said. 

   He uses tires to practice his speed and agility in tight spaces. Exercises like these that help build and maintain muscle are one of the best ways to improve any skill.

   “I started doing isometrics to help with my jumping ability and to keep my knees healthy,” Winn said.

   Not only do these players focus on physical improvement, they make sure to spend time with their teammates. 

   When asked about her favorite memory from this season.

   ¨Freshman year I got to travel with my team a lot, and I got really close with them. They’ve been able to support me and give me a good community,” Ross said.

   The dedication of these players is shown not only through their improvement, but also how much they value having a safe team and supporting each other.