The short answer is yes, most definitely. If you want to jump higher, the squat is a must do exercise. The correlation between increasing your squat, and increasing your jump is extremely high, and although some people need more reactivity training than others, everyone can do with getting their squat up.
To put it simply, the movement of a squat is exactly like the movement of a jump. Get your maxiumum squat strength up, you are without a doubt going to get your maximum jump up. The fact is that most people looking to increase their vertical jump, will probably just be lacking big time in brute strength, without a base on the squat, you aren’t going to get off the ground.
This study was done check the effect of increasing your maximum squatting strength on the vertical jump.
Br J Sports Med 2004;38:285-288
Strong correlation of maximal squat strength with sprint performance and vertical jump height in elite soccer players
Abstract
Background: A high level of strength is inherent in elite soccer play, but the relation between maximal strength and sprint and jumping performance has not been studied thoroughly.
Objective: To determine whether maximal strength correlates with sprint and vertical jump height in elite male soccer players.
Methods: Seventeen international male soccer players (mean (SD) age 25.8 (2.9) years, height 177.3 (4.1) cm, weight 76.5 (7.6) kg, and maximal oxygen uptake 65.7 (4.3) ml/kg/min) were tested for maximal strength in half squats and sprinting ability (0–30 m and 10 m shuttle run sprint) and vertical jumping height.
Result: There was a strong correlation between maximal strength in half squats and sprint performance and jumping height.
As you can see, there is a high correlation between a better maximum squat, and getting a better vertical jump. Not only that, you also get a great boost of speed over a short distance. This is just one example of many studies proving this.
How To Squat
Well if you want to increase your vertical jump, I think we have answered the question of do squats make you jump higher? Hopefully by now you are convinced that the squat needs to be in your program, so how do you actually squat. Squatting involves quite a bit of technique, and without technique you are going to get injured and pretty much not get the results that you want. The two cues that I like to remember every time I go to squat, are chest out, butt out. You need to stick your chest out, and drift back with your hip, your movement should come from the butt. This will ensure that you maintain the correct posture right through the movement. To help with this, perform box squats, put a box or a bench behind you, and drift your hips back as you go down to squat, to lightly touch it with your bottom. This will ensure that you engage your glutes. In all seriousness, if you want good video on how to squat correctly visit the NSCA site.
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