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Originally Posted by BHitterDPasser  This seems to be the most effective way to jump in sand but does go against a lot of what I have read about jumping higher. They often teach the "rubber band theory" where you quickly load and unload your leg muscles. By squatting, waiting, and exploding you can't recapture that stored energy from stretching your muscles.
On this note, I'd think that it'd be pretty easy to weight train for this in the gym where in leg press or squat you hold the wait at the bottom of your rep and then DRIVE it up like you were jumping. Thoughts? |
Well, it depends on your strength to quickness ratios. Some people jump just as high or close from a static position as they do from a reactive position, which of course can be developed through proper training. The squat down is really probably less than a second, but it isn't a straight down bounce up motion. Sometimes you are better off sacrificing some height for stability and control. Also, the nature of the surface is to absorb more force than a harder platform. Explosive squats are important for any jump training, IMHO. There is no point to going slow in the concentric movement of a squat. Even with heavy weight, the attempt should be to be explosive. Plyometrics won't help as much with blocking in the sand, because it isn't as much of a conversion of force, strength is important. But, we know there are many directions and motions in the sand, so plyos do help for conversion in approaches, lateral movements, etc.
Just to be safe, here's Lambert backing me up on the blocking thing:
Indulge your inner voyeur - How to Block