The thought hit me the other day to poll the forum to see if anyone can dunk. I know I sure as hell can’t, but I think it’d be an admirable training goal. So what’s the deal, can anyone throw down? Height, Weight, Stats and other info would be appreciate for those (if any) who can. It would also be facinating to get some of our resident Forum Strength-Coaches’ thoughts on this subject.
Almost! I am actually about an inch or two away. Not bad considering 10 weeks ago I could barely grab the rim.
BTW, I am 5'10", 170lbs. and I am using Renegade Training for Hockey Goaltenders.
Sure can. Mostly cookies in coffee, very rarely a doughnut. A basketball? I’m just under 6’2" and my vertical leap…hell, you can barely call it a hop. So, no.
I can currently dunk, but nothing amazing. Two hands would probably not work, but I haven’t tried that in awhile. Currently I’m 6’2’’ and 245-250 lbs. My best dunking, without question, was at a weight of 230. That’s the only time I felt comfortable dunking in games.
Nothing expresses power, grace and domination better than a contested DUNK. IMO The moments I have spent dunking on people are without a doubt the most satisfying moments of my athletic career. Individually speaking of course. The first time I touched the rim I was 6’ at age 13. I had to run and jump as hard as I could to touch the rim just one out of every five trys. Funny enough. I didn’t make the team. 7 years, 7 inches, thousands of olympic lifts and plyos later I became a dunking machine. I like to think I still am, but I don’t get to play much anymore. Being able to hit a 15 ft jumper and dribble with both hands will always be more important but catching that rebound and throwing it down on the guy trying to box you out is priceless and worth every last tear in the gym.
I can dunk. However, don’t look for me on the cover of Sports Illustrated soaring with my tongue out. If I ever do get on the cover of Sports Illustrated and my tongue IS out, it is due to the fact that Anna Kournikova is on page 5. If I could palm the ball I could pull off a few more impressive dunks, however I have to stick to the basic two hand power slam or a simple reverse. I am 6’1 190.
Where are you on this one, buddy? In case you guys can’t tell, my sorry 5’8" butt lives vicariously through Jason:)
Yes I can dunk, but at 6’4" probably not a big suprise to most. However I weigh 240 and I can two hand it standing flat footed under the goal. (Some white men CAN jump) When in good shape I can get an elbow to the rim. For me good dunking takes three things: Being in good basketball shape, squats, and power cleans.
I am six foot 235 and can dunk with two hands. i can dunk a girls ball flat footed with one hand. i actually placed second in a dunk contest two years ago. ill post the pic from that one day. its kinda crappy but it shows me hanging on the rim after a dunk.
Thanks for the props Eric. Yes, I can dunk and actually dunk quite well. I’ve competed in dunk contests (never won though) and can get it down during a game, not just before or after.
I'm 25 years old, 6'3", 200 and I've been able to dunk since I was 15, same height but about 150 lbs at the time. I jump with 2 feet 95% of the time to dunk and dunk with 2 hands about 80% of the time.
Medium stance barbell squats is the lift that contributed the most to my jumping power. But with my basketball players, I have them doing a whole host of squats, lunges, cleans, snatches, swings, med ball throws and plyometrics that all enhance their jumping ability.
I've actually been thinking about putting together an article on this exact topic, covering strength training, mental techniques, body weight manipulatin, ball control, plyometrics and footwork.
Let me know if you are interested. If I can ever figure out how to post a picture to the forum, I'll take a few of me on the court and actually back up what I'm saying in here.
I used to be able to dunk real hard. I haven’t tried in years. I’m 6’1 and at the time had a 30 inch or so vertical leap.
Yes, I’m very interested in the article. Let’s make it happen!
I can dunk, but being 6’5" I guess I should be able to. I’m about 225 lbs right now and I can dunk from a standstill right below the rim. I first dunked when I was in 8th grade, about 5’11" and 145 lbs (I was a skinny bastard).
Hahahahaha, no way Jose!
im 5-7 about 171 right now. I have a decent vertical leap. Can dunk a tennis ball. Not that means anything. But ive thought about training for a period of time specifically to dunk.
I would love to see a more in-depth article on dunking. As for myself, medium stance squats are the only lift that has had a direct effect on my vertical. Generally, when I’m playing a lot of basketball, I squat heavy (for me) and even do partial reps (half and quarter squats). That always helps out a bit.
And while we’re on the dunking thing, how about whether you do it off one leg or two. I noticed when I was younger, I was better off one leg, but 50 lbs later, two legs is MUCH easier, though I can still get about as high both ways.
Also, to Roofus, about that elbow to the rim thing - damn! I can dunk, but nothing like that.
6’1", 230. I high school at about 195 I could dunk easily. Now ten years later I can still dunk, but not with both hands or quite as much authority. I agree, the first time I dunked in a real game and the crowd exploded is still one of my best memories. BTW, when I went on a crazy bulking period for about two years and got up to 280, I could still grab the rim with both hands. I guess the fact that I was squatting 600 for reps didn’t hurt.
I have much better control off two feet and with two hands. About the only time I jump off one foot is for an offensive rebound tip in jam where I have to jump over somebody.
As for the article, I was shooting around while warming up for my workout today and had an awesome jam session just thinking about all the different aspects that I'll put together. I'm starting today.
I can dunk…but i am 6’6"…that helps. But i still am not any good at b-ball. Evrytime I think of people that dunk the bal and am always reminded of little Spud Webb- amazing ups!
i am 6’3" 220 lbs and i cant dunk!i can touch the rim plus a bit more but cant dunk.my standing vertical is only 20" or so.i am currently using ian kings"white men can jump" routine.i am 37 years old and have never been a good jumper.my goal is t o hit 30" standing vertical before i am 40 years old and a three step vertical of 36 " would be a nice bonus too!it must be genetic or ethnic.i am a white irishman.