High Flyers Basketball: 10 Drills to Elevate Your Game and Skyrocket Your Vertical

Let me tell you something I’ve learned from years of watching and analyzing the game: vertical leap isn't just a physical attribute; it's a statement. It’s the difference between a good player and a high flyer who can dominate the paint, snatch crucial rebounds over taller opponents, and deliver those momentum-shifting blocks. I remember watching a game recently, the NorthPort Batang Pier facing off against a tough opponent. The final score isn't what stuck with me—it was the energy. Players like Arvin Tolentino, who put up 19 points, and William Navarro, adding 18, weren't just scoring; they were playing above the rim. Their athleticism was palpable, a direct result of the kind of foundational training we often overlook. That game, with contributions from Munzon's 15 and the hustle of guys like Bulanadi and Onwubere who each chipped in 10, was a clinic in how elevating your physical ceiling elevates your entire game. It got me thinking about the specific, actionable drills that can bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be, soaring with the likes of those high-flying pros.

Now, I’m a firm believer that you can't just jump into jump training. Your body needs to be prepared. That's why my first recommendation always starts on the ground. Depth drops are non-negotiable. Find a box, maybe 18 to 24 inches high to start. Step off, land softly with your hips back and knees aligned, absorb the impact, and then explode upward. This teaches your nervous system to handle force and immediately redirect it—a concept called the stretch-shortening cycle. Do 3 sets of 5, focusing on quality over quantity. Following that, I’m partial to weighted squat jumps. Not heavy back squats, but holding a moderate dumbbell or kettlebell at your chest. The goal here is speed. From a quarter squat, drive through your heels and propel yourself upward as fast as possible. The added weight increases the demand, so when you remove it, you feel lighter. I’d pair this with single-leg bounding for 20 meters. It’s ungainly at first, but it builds unilateral power and stability, correcting imbalances that can hold you back. Trust me, the first time you feel that powerful push-off from one leg, you’ll understand.

But raw power needs direction and technique. This is where many athletes plateau. Box jumps are classic, but to make them truly effective, you need intent. Don't just aim to get on the box; aim to get high onto a challenging height. Use your arms aggressively, swinging them from behind you to over your head. I like to use a box that makes me fail one out of every five attempts—that's how you know you're pushing the limit. Another drill I swear by is the hang clean, even if it's just with a light barbell or even a medicine ball. It teaches that full-body, triple-extension sequence—ankles, knees, hips—that is the absolute core of a vertical jump. The transfer of force from the ground up is everything. For a more basketball-specific feel, nothing beats rim touches or backboard taps. Set a goal. If you can currently touch the rim, aim for 2 inches above it. Do 10 maximal effort touches, resting fully between each. It’s repetitive, but it programs the exact motor pattern you want in a game. Watching a player like JM Nelle, who might only score 6 points but can disrupt plays with athletic defense, reminds you that this training has defensive applications, too.

Of course, what goes up must come down, and how you land might be more important than how high you go. Plyometrics are stressful. I’ve seen too many promising leapers sidelined by shin splints or knee pain because they ignored the fundamentals of recovery and landing mechanics. Always, and I mean always, land softly. Think of your legs as springs, not poles. After a heavy plyo day, your best friends are a foam roller, static stretching for the quads, hamstrings, and calves, and maybe even a cold shower. It’s not glamorous, but it’s what allows you to train consistently. Consistency, paired with progressive overload—slowly increasing box height, adding a slight weight vest, reducing rest time—is the real secret. There are no magic pills, just persistent, smart work.

In the end, transforming your vertical is a marathon of sprints. It’s about layering these drills—the foundational strength work, the explosive plyometrics, the technical refinement—over weeks and months. Look back at that NorthPort stat line. The 97 points came from a collective effort, but the individual explosions from Tolentino, Navarro, and Munzon created the opportunities. Their 19, 18, and 15 points were built on a foundation of athleticism that you can cultivate. Start integrating these drills, maybe two or three into your routine two times a week, and be patient. Measure your progress not just in inches gained on your vertical, but in how you feel going for a rebound, in the extra split-second of hang time on a layup, in the defensive plays you can now make. That’s the true elevation. That’s when you stop playing basketball and start flying through it.