How to dunk a basketball if you are short

How a 5'5" Player Trained Himself to Dunk a Basketball

January 28, 2021 by Jesse Parker

Tall basketball players have a distinct advantage when it comes to dunking, that’s a fact.

Many of the legendary dunkers such as Vince Carter and Dominique Wilkins are well over six feet tall.

When looking at these ferocious dunkers, you might think to yourself:

“At my height, I don’t have a chance of getting above the rim.”

However, being short is no excuse for not being able to dunk, as many short players such as Nate Robinson and Spud Webb have proved long ago that vertically-challenged athletes are still capable of flying high.

The key to developing an impressive vertical is consistent training and perseverance.

Sound cliche, right?

Well that’s the truth, and if you don’t believe me then check out this 5’5″ guy and see for yourself.

The Story of Brandon Todd – A 5’5″ Dunker

Today I want to show you a unique case of someone who was unwilling to give up his dream, despite his physical stature.

This is the story of a small guy from Ohio who just wanted to dunk.

Unfortunately at 5’5″, his height was a major roadblock.

Nevertheless, Brandon Todd proved that there’s no boundary to what you can do when you TRULY want something.

Get ready for some inspiration.

The Quest for Dunking

Standing at a mere height of only 5 feet 5 inches tall, Brandon Todd always had dreams of slamming down a basketball through the rim.

Obviously, his height was the main obstacle preventing him from reaching his goal.

After numerous failed attempts at dunking, Brandon started questioning whether he would ever be able to complete his mission.

Fortunately, he did not let his past failures to continue to haunt him.

As a testament to the benefits of an effective training regimen, Brandon can now consistently dunk a basketball on a regular basis.

I decided to post this story for you because I wanted you to see that…

it’s not impossible for you to dunk, even if you’re short.

You see, when I had a hard time progressing with my vertical, I started asking myself…

“Can I even do it?”

…and many times, I even thought about quitting altogether.

But after discovering Brandon Todd and seeing him doing the unthinkable, I couldn’t help but thinking:

This guy was 5’5″ and he didn’t quit, so what gives me the right to do so?!

And all of a sudden there were no more doubts and no more concerns… I knew what I had to do and I felt compelled to it. I knew in my heart that if I keep training, one day I’ll be able to have that dunk.

Now you might say I was wrong to think that, and that Todd is simply a freak athlete… and to some extent you’d be right.

But the truth is…

He’s a classic case of how solid hard work pays off.

And I wish more people knew about the man, ’cause what he did is TRULY extraordinary.

Todd’s story was the thing that inspired me to keep training back when I was still struggling to even touch the rim.

And thankfully, it was all worth it… because now, for a change, I too can say:

“I can do it.”

Thank you Brandon.

P.S. If you too want be able to say the same and achieve your dream of dunking, regardless of your height, I’ve put together a list of the best programs you could use for jumping higher and dunking.

These programs use the same type of complex training routines Todd was talking about in the video, and they’re currently the most effective way for increasing your vertical jump and seeing results.

They provide the important information and lay the foundation for taking your vertical to the next level.

By using these methods you will have the opportunity to show the world that height is not a limitation, and that short guys too can deliver awe-inspiring dunks.

Jesse Parker

Born and raised in sunny Florida, Jesse Parker grew up spending most of his days outdoors playing hoops and honing his basketball skills. He has a huge love for the game and is always striving to get better at it. His latest obsession is the subject of vertical jumping and dunking.

How to Dunk a Basketball if You Are Short?

Is basketball only for the tall? Did this thought ever occur to you while staring at the 10-foot rim? Well, there is no denying that being tall helps while kissing the rim. However, there is enough empirical evidence that short players (like yourself) can jump higher and dunk a basketball with the help of proper technique and conditioning training.

To dunk a basketball, how high you jump is the most important aspect. Developing this skill requires enhancing your average vertical jump which we suggest the Vert Shock Program.

Legs and core muscles provide the explosiveness required to jump higher. Mastering these muscles with the help of plyometric exercises will give you an edge in dunking.

Height and athleticism are the two important facets of basketball. However, when you focus on athleticism seriously, height takes a back seat. This post will help you develop that kind of athleticism.

This article is your ultimate guide to dunking a basketball if you are short.

If They Can, So Can You!

It’s often said that if you are short and aiming for the rim, you better be a Spud Webb or Nate Robinson.

Robinson stood 5’9″ tall while his dunk mentor Spud Webb was 5-foot-6. These two professional NBA athletes won the NBA’s coveted ‘Slam Dunk Title’ despite being shorter than others.

Spud Webb won the NBA’s ‘Slam Dunk Contest’ despite being the shortest athlete in NBA’s history. Nate Robinson not only won this glory, but he also made a record by winning this popular dunking title three times.

“When people look at me, they really don’t understand where the hops are coming” – Nate Robinson. This is how astonished people were when they saw Robinson fly over the rim.

They proved that short athletes can not only dunk a basketball but they can also dunk better than others.

If they can, so can you!

How to Jump Higher in 45 Minutes – The Workbook

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We have spend a lot of time making this VERY comprehensive and feedback has been VERY positive.

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Dunking is more than a physical feat. You have to train your mind to believe that you can jump higher. It’s your hope that gets you through those tonnes of failed attempts on the basketball court. If you are short, you can’t lose hope, at least not in basketball.

With that said, let’s jump right into the exercises and techniques that will help you hone your dunking skills.

Training

Dunking requires explosiveness in your muscles, which means you have to act fast with all your strength. Thus, you have to train your muscles for both speed and strength.

Warmups include stretching exercises to prepare your muscles for explosive workouts. They ensure proper blood circulation and stretching of your muscles before you dive into your workout routine.

There are two types of stretching – Dynamic and Static.

Dynamic stretching uses the speed of a movement to stretch your muscles. Dynamic stretching includes swinging your legs side to side, jumping jacks, hops, and skips, etc. These exercises are done before your workout.

Static stretching means stretching your muscles and staying in that position for a brief amount of time without moving. Static stretching includes bending over and touching your toes and other such static positions. These exercises are done to relax your muscles after your workout or on off days.

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hands at your side. Jump upwards while pushing your legs just beyond your shoulder width, and simultaneously raise your hands while mid-air, and then touch your hands together.

Hop back and forth along a straight line on one foot. Now, skip the length of a court and try to bring your knees closer to your chest, keeping the contact with the ground minimal. Take two large skips for 3 jumps, then jump in the air for your third step. Go back to your starting position and repeat the exercise with the other foot.

Stand tall on a box or a ledge of a height similar to your average vertical leap. Jump off from the box. As soon as you hit the floor, explode upwards as high as you can. You can vary this warmup by jumping off from a lower box and then jumping onto a higher one. Young Asian adult man dunking basketball on outdoor court

Strap ankle weights around each ankle. For one month jog at a slower pace than normal for 30 minutes. As you build strength, slowly increase your pace each week.

Take a proper stance by keeping your feet directly underneath your shoulders. Now, lower yourself into the squat, keeping your back straight. Bend at your knees and hips until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Swing your arms in front of you. Jump up from this position keeping your legs straight and arms to the side of your body. Land on the balls of your feet and brace yourself for another repetition.

Perform 3 sets of jumping squats with 25 repetitions each. Take a 60-second break between each set.

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart with your arms relaxed by your side while engaging your core. Take a big step forward with your right leg and sink your weight down with your right leg forming 90° with the floor. Your left leg must be straight behind you with your knee slightly bent. This is your downward position. Launch your body upwards. Propel your arms and quickly switch the position of your legs while you are mid-air. Now, your right leg is extended behind and your left leg is in front. Gently land backin your basic luge position.

Perform 3 sets of jumping lunges with 25 repetitions each. Take a 60-second break between each set.

Stand on the edge of the bottom step of the stairs. Tuck your tailbone in and plant the balls of your feet firmly on the step with your heels hanging over the edge. Slowly lift your heels as high as you can balance onto your toes. Hold this position for 2 seconds. Now, lower your heels below the step, feeling a stretch in your calf muscles. Hold this position for 2 seconds.

Perform 3 sets of calf raises with 25 repetitions each. Take a 60-second break between each set.

The secret to increasing your average vertical jump is to increase your overall power-to-body ratio. This simply translates to increasing your speed and strength. Another major aspect to increase your vertical leap is flexibility. Being flexible not only increases your vertical leap but it also prevents injuries.

Let’s discuss some more workout routines that will augment your jumping ability.

Calisthenics exercises are best when it comes to strength building and flexibility. Exercise routines such as push-ups, sit-ups, squats, burpees, pull-ups, dips, handstands, leg raise, planks, and shuttle runs will contribute to your average vertical jump and expand your reach.

Plyometric exercises work on the core of dunking – speed. They teach your muscles to expand and contract within a short period of time. Since the game can change in the blink of an eye, these exercises are necessary to make you more athletic. Some common plyometric exercises are – ankle jumps, depth jumps, box jump, leg bounding, pike jumps, and lateral jumps.

Weight training can do wonders for your vertical leap as they will impart more strength to your muscles. You have been adding weights to your normal exercises and thus, you are already aware of its benefits. Weight training includes – leg press, deadlift, leg extension, leg curl, calf raise, bench press, back extension, and the shoulder press.

Practicing your jump is the most important facet. It is required that you engrave these repetitive movements in your muscle memory which means you don’t always have to think much about them. You can focus more on your game while some aspects are on autopilot mode.

Sprinting also helps you in enhancing your average vertical jump as it activates your fast-twitch muscles. Have you ever noticed that some of the best sprinters are also exceptional long jumpers? This is because sprinting gives that explosiveness required to act fast with great force. Does this sound similar to basketball?

Technique

Try touching the rim without a basketball in your hand. Propel yourself with one foot and reach the hoop with one hand, this technique ensures maximum reach. And if you are short, you must eliminate all the odds and look for the best techniques that would compensate for your short height.

Before using a basketball, practice palming the ball using small tennis balls. As you reach two steps away from the rim, jump from there and dunk the tennis ball. After you are comfortable with the tennis ball, replace it with a softball, followed by a mini basketball, and finally practice using a basketball.

If you are short, you must make sure to turn things in your favor. Practice palming the ball and excel in that first. Thus, there would be one less thing to focus on while dunking.

How to Practice Dunking?

After you are equipped with the necessary strength, it’s time to actually practice.

As mentioned earlier, dunking requires explosive strength to match the speed and strength of this skill. Burpee is an exercise that perfectly fits this requirement. We will tweak some aspects of this exercise to practice dunking. This exercise will help you practice dunking with two hands.

Place a basketball on the floor instead of a medicinal ball, this way your hands will get the grip of basketball. While performing burpee, when in a push-up position, your hands must rest on the basketball. As you explode upwards, lift the basketball above your head. Touch the backboard and try to reach higher with every repetition.

Place two basketballs on either side of the free-throw line marching towards the net. Hold one basketball with both hands and sprint towards the hoop. Now, take a vertical leap and dunk. Sprint back and repeat with the other ball. Keep attacking the rim and try jumping as high as you can.

Start your run from just outside the free-throw area. You can choose any attacking positions. Then, sprint towards the hoop and dunk. Make as many hoops as you can. Each set of this freestyle dunk should consist of at least 8 reps.

Types of Dunkers In Basketball

One foot dunker uses one foot to propel towards the hoop and palms the basketball in one hand. One-foot dunker enjoys the most success on the court as this dunk favors considerably more vertical reach.

This type of dunk is more balanced and assured as you are launching yourself with both your feet. Also, you have a better grip in the basketball as you are holding in with both hands. Two-foot dunking gives more control to your body when you are airborne.

Alley-oop is a glamorous affair for the spectators. In this move, the player makes a pass to his high-flying dunker who catches the ball mid-air and slam dunks it.

Caution

You don’t want to be sitting outside the basketball court due to injuries, do you? While practicing dunking, keep certain things in mind to avoid injuries.

Avoid touching the rim again and again as the sheer force of your jump can tear your hand open. Also, not all rims are well maintained, rusty rims can cause more harm.

Perform your exercise routine with the proper technique because, if the exercises are done poorly, it can do more harm than good.

If you are a short person, a fall will not be easy for you. Look out for your knees and ankles while playing, as hurting these will stop you from displaying your skills on the court.

FAQs

How Tall Do You Have to be to Dunk a Basketball?

The standard basketball net is 10-foot high. The vertical reach of a 6-foot tall player is usually 8-feet. If you fall under the 6-foot category you have to compensate for this 2-foot difference. In this blog, we have proved it can be achieved with your efforts.

What is a Good Vertical Jump?

A good vertical jump ranges between 44-48 inches. Chicago Bulls’ legend Michael Jordan has the highest vertical leap of 48 inches.

Final Thoughts on How to Dunk a Basketball if You Are Short

Let’s be honest, being short at the basketball court is an actual disadvantage. But, the good news is you can turn such shortcomings into opportunities if you work on your skills.

Legends like Spud Webb and Nate Robinson proved that short players can slam dunk better than others.

Basketball skills can be mastered by devoting certain hours at the court. Improve your vertical jump, increase your grip on the ball, and you can effortlessly dunk a basketball.

We love the Vert Shock system as it offers a vast trove of amazing information, drills, and strategies to jump high fast and it is proven through numerous user testimonials.

They offer a TOTALLY FREE ebook to start learning to jump higher starting today, this minute, delivered to your email so you can start reading and working on your abilities immediately!

Basketball coaching hacks: how to score goals for beginners

Even if you are a novice basketball player, we will not give you a training plan, but we will tell you why the ball flies anywhere but into the ring and into your hands. It's all about technique: even with regular training and perseverance, novice adults and children often make simple mistakes. It's a shame, let's fix it. Below are 11 life hacks on how to hone your technique to increase the likelihood of a goal for your team.

Basketball Shot Rules for Beginners

1. Hands up

In pursuit of the attacker, raise your hands, even if you are standing with your back to the pass, and even more so if the ring is in front of you. Your raised hands will increase the chance of intercepting the ball from the opponent by 2 times. Don't overlook this little thing!

2. Make shield rolls

Even Tim Duncan did not neglect them! A square is drawn on the basketball backboard. If you are standing opposite the ring, then aim at the middle of the upper part of the square, if you are standing on the side, then at the corner. If you hit this square, then the ball is at 90% of cases will fall into the ring. The law of physics and no cheating!

3.

Practice driving the ball with your hand, not your eyes, develop tactile control. Your eyes should be on the hoop while dribbling and be aware of the position of your body in relation to the hoop. Then you will be able to take the correct posture, and the throw will be effective.

4. Dribble with the balls of your fingers only

The palm should not touch the ball, only the pads of the fingers. Dribbling should become familiar to you, like an extension of your hand. Then you can change its trajectory at any time and you will have more chances to score goals. Practice with the ball constantly.

5. Throw with one hand

If you throw the ball with two hands, you reduce the chance of hitting the basket. All the efforts of the throw are in one hand (in the right for right-handers, in the left for left-handers). The other hand only holds the ball, the leading one holds it with the fingers, not the palm.

6.

Jumping is the main mistake of rookie defenders. To intercept the ball and block the shot, simply stick out your hands. When you are in a jump, the attacker will easily bypass you.

7. Don't look back

When you dribble, don't look back, but dribble and aim for the ring, focus on shooting (or passing to another player on your team).

8. Bring the throw to automatism

Incorporate the most basic basketball techniques into your training plan and bring the shot to automatism. Throw first from a distance of half a meter from the ring, gradually increasing it. Learn to throw the ball so that it hits the hoop without touching the edge.

Throw the ball with all fives and jump

Throwing Rules:

• Head in the center of the body - if tilted, accuracy is lost.
• Look at the ring: mentally build a trajectory. If you are far away, the ball flies in a curved curve with a maximum height of 2 meters above the hoop.
• A strong hand is in front and throws, a weak hand is on the side and directs, only holding the ball. The elbow of the throwing hand must be in line with the ring.
• The ball must rest on the fingers without touching the palm. The fingers are as far apart as possible and grab the ball.
• Throwing arm bent 90 degrees, forearm perpendicular to the floor. If you bend less, then you get not a throw, but a throwing of the ball horizontally.

The main thing in the throw is the position of the body and its balance. Place your feet apart and parallel to each other: it is important to orient them in the middle of the basket. Then the direction of the body during the jump will coincide with the direction of the throw, and the ball will fly straight into the ring. When the feet are uneven, the ball flies in the wrong direction or does not reach (although the throw was normal).

Take a deep breath and release as you exhale.

How to hold the ball and shoot in basketball

How to throw correctly: straighten your arm, point your wrist up, and with your hand set the ball to rotate in the opposite direction from the flight. The ball should seem to "roll" off your fingers.

9. Copy masters and play as a team

Watch professional basketball games and try to copy the movements of your favorite players in training. And be sure to conduct game sparring - this will allow you to develop more techniques.

10. Do not throw in a straight line

The higher the arc of the ball, the greater the chance of a goal and the less chance of blocking by the opponent.

11. Do not throw the ball from a full height stand

This is the biggest newbie mistake!

Before the throw, bend your knees slightly and at the moment of the throw, straighten your body, making a jump. You need to straighten up and push off the ground at the same time. When squatting, keep the elbow of the throwing arm close to the body and towards the ring.

The jump will give momentum to the ball and will allow you not to make sudden movements with the brush.

***

And to be a long-term player, do not forget about your health: take care of your joints and muscles, use tapes, do a warm-up. And be sure to strengthen your arms, legs and shoulder girdle, develop coordination. Regular exercises on uneven bars and horizontal bars will help you with this.

Can you soak 5 9?

While not impossible, diving at this height will be difficult for most people. Let's say you're 5'9inches and medium length arms. You will then have a standing reach of about 7 feet 7 inches. … To dunk, you need to be jump about 35 inches high , which is considered impressive even in professional sports.

Namely, Can you soak 5 6?

You must be at least 6 inches above the rim to try dunking, so you will need to set the vertical position at to at least 34 inches of .

And, can you soak if you have 5 8?

At this height, you will need to jump about 23 inches to touch the rim and 29 inches to dunk a full size basketball. So basically at 5 feet 8 inches. It's pretty hard, but you can do it.

Then who is the shortest dunker in the world? #1 Spud Webb

Webb is the NBA's shortest dunker to win the NBA's small dunk competition. In 1986, he defeated his teammate Dominic Wilkins (the most legendary dunker) with two perfect 50s in the final round.

Is it possible to soak 5 people on 4?

According to this calculator, a 5'4" guy with an average arm length of would need to jump 41″ to dunk.

Height: 5'8" - 5'11" Difficulty: 8/10. Once you start getting closer to 6 feet, it becomes a little easier to dive. At this height you will need to jump about 23 inches to touch the rim and 29 inches to dunk a life size basketball.

At the same time, a guy of average height - let's say 5-11 years old - won't stand a chance without at least some athletic ability. Dunking is not t for everyone, but many men at least have a chance to pull it off. However, this depends on many variables for those on the fringes. Many guys have extra weight that keeps them on the ground.

Yes you can . the best example is Nate Robinson - one of the best motivators for all short guys: height is 175 centimeters, that is, 5 cm below you and weighs the same as you.

Biggest basketball 6'2″ players probably can't dunk . At least not in a game situation.

So yes, Ronaldo can absolutely dunk .

In the WNBA, the shortest woman to dunk in a game is Candace Parker (6'5") Los Angeles Sparks. She did it twice and it was done in consecutive games. She dunked a basketball for the first time in a game against the Indiana Fever on June 22, 2008.

In 1944, college basketball was first dunked when Oklahoma A&M Bob "Foothill" Courland dunked by accident.

99% of players will never have a 40" vertical no matter how hard they train. And it is unlikely that you will double your vertical jump with these programs in the next 12 weeks.

At this height you will need to jump about 23 inches to touch the rim and 29 inches to dunk a life size basketball. So basically at 5 feet 8 inches. It's pretty hard, but you can do it.

You are 5-11 years old, and with hands in proportion to your height, you can reach a little over 7 6 when standing still ; if your vertical jump is 20 inches you can hold the ball at a height of 92 and you will be 10 inches below the rim.

It hurts! But professionals hold on to the rim with such ease that the biggest risk of injury is somewhere else. Clearly, the biggest injury risk for NBA pros comes from getting hit after a dunk. They hurt themselves , but because of this, they form a kind of horns on their hands that protect you.

See also

A very good jump will be between 28 and 32 inches. An athlete with excellent vertical jump will grow from 32 to 36 inches. Anything over 36 inches placed the high school athlete best in class .

Look at this man, Spud Webb . He is the shortest NBA player to ever win a dunk event. He has "only" 5f 7 (1.7m) and can clearly dunk.

Safe! But being "sufficiently athletic" is no easy task. Let's compare for someone a dunk of 5' 10 (178cm) to a 6ft 4in (193cm) tall person.

It's true it's great to be able to dunk a basketball to get higher than you thought. But the process of obtaining such a position is useful in itself. Watching videos with other people who have tried it, many of them try dunk alley-oop.

People really underestimate the huge difference between being able to touch a rim and being able to get wet. You need to get the entire height of the basketball above the rim, plus have the momentum to actually push it over the rim. It requires more height to be there long enough to turn it back a bit.

This means that the average 6 foot basketball player should have standing reach. about 8 feet . But the chart also shows that there are players with much longer hands than others.

Ronaldo is a physical fan who can jump like a basketball player and run like a 100m athlete.

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