What the hell is a Dunk Dad? I’m a dad and I want to dunk- Dunk Dad. So I have been thinking about this for some time now and at the age of 37 years old in the midst of a pandemic, I am considering trying to get back into trying to increase my vertical once again so I can dunk. You could call me an original O.G. when it comes to trying every vertical jump product on the market, in the 1990s to 2010. Most never worked for me, from Air Alert to Jumpsoles to every gimmick in between. It wasn’t until I discovered Kelly Baggett and his vertical jump bible that gave me the most success. In fact, his website and teachings helped me a lot with my vertical jump and I was almost dunking at the height of 5’9.
What happened? I was my biggest obstacle, stopping every time short of my goal. Yes, it took a lot of time to increase my vertical and it felt amazing jumping that high, but for some reason, I would always stop. I have weights at home that I use to in which I was able to squat heavy and lift heavy. I had no excuse but still stopped. I would start up again, jumping really high and then stop continuously, what’s wrong with me….I stalled quite a bit but I knew it was a strength issue.
At my best, I was squatting 290 lbs for reps at a bodyweight of 185 lbs and almost dunking off lobs. What Kelly taught worked I just couldn’t stay committed. Damn, I wish youtube was around back then, maybe that could of helped me seeing all those pro dunkers dunk.
Recently I discovered over the hill dunker on youtube and couldn’t believe at the height of 5’11 this guy over the age of 40 was dunking and still is and he is almost 50. It’s funny most people think that older cats are done with increasing their verticals, but who is to say that when there really are not a whole lot of subjects trying, so we really don’t know.
This guy helped me realize that anything is possible, I have a brother who is 40 who still can jump as high as he could in his 20s and a friend who still can touch the rim at my height at 43 wtf and they don’t practice jumping that much or workout to jump higher. I am sure I can do it.
At 5’9 with a 7’4 reach me and my T-Rex arms only need 31 inches to touch the rim, yup 31 inches such a far way from down here. The highest I have ever Jumped was getting my wrist above the rim which puts me in the high 30s. I have great memories of trying to dunk on a fast break, trying to jam one in which I knew was not going to happen but it was just so I can hang on the rim. What a feeling that was, dunking must feel 100 times better.
The Problems I am Facing
We’re in the middle of a pandemic and all gyms are closed for basketball. I live in Canada and it’s October and it’s already cold, so how the heck am I going to do this, good question. At this point, you may find this to be a boring journal of my progress until you realize what am about to do. More on that later…
Ok so it’s cold, I am not concerned. Other problems, I’m weak, really weak, my vertical is probably 20 inches. I probably can’t squat 250lbs for one rep at a bodyweight of 210lbs, I should also mention my legs hurt every time I jump, which tells me I am extremely weak, that’s another issue I’m 210 lbs, I think more. As a dad, I wake up all times of the night checking up on my daughter when I hear her, I then get hungry and eat in the middle of the night. I like to eat I realized, a lot.
Flexibility is another issue, I need to fix that. Last but not least is time and being motivated to do so. It is about to be winter, there is nowhere for me to play basketball or jump.
So what the heck is my plan you ask?
Get ready your going to think I am crazy…
Squat Everyday to Increase my Vertical Jump
So it’s no secret anymore that increasing your strength will help increase your vertical for the most part. Being strong is an essential building block in increasing your vertical jump and I plan to get as strong as possible through the winter months. The way I am doing it is to Squat Every day…Every day? Every single day that I can. I know it sounds crazy. I will warm up with a quick jump rope workout and hopefully improve the elasticity in my tendons at the same time from skipping.
Because it’s Fall right now, I am hoping to build my strength in the winter by squatting every day, and hopefully muscle memory kicks in and I am able to get my hops back again from practicing jumping on my adjustable rim. Which I haven’t bought yet lol…
I know you’re probably thinking this isn’t going to work, and you may be right, I am unfortunately my biggest obstacle, it doesn’t sound great in theory also to squat every day, but do some research on the subject you may be surprised.
If your family was captured and you were told you needed to put 100 pounds onto your max squat within two months or your family would be executed, would you squat once per week? Something tells me that you’d start squatting every day. Other countries have this mindset. America does not. – John Broz
My goals:
I am hoping I am able to get my squat to 1.5 or 2 times my body weight hopefully I am around 190 lbs by then. Increase my flexibility and activation in my muscles. eventually, when it gets closer to adjustable rim dunking when the snow is gone I will start practicing jumping technique.
If all goes well, I will start a youtube channel when I get to the point where I am outside practicing dunking. This sounds all great on paper, Lets Find Out! LOL…..
WEEK 1