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Intermediate Vertical Jump Routine

A jump-focused session to build power and takeoff mechanics with controlled plyometrics.

Warm-Up

Raise temperature, prep ankles/hips, and groove landing mechanics. Prep & elasticity focus.

Jump Rope
Jump Rope45 sec
How to

A light bouncing cardio move that trains rhythm, calves, and coordination.

  1. Stand tall with the rope behind your heels and handles at your sides.
  2. Turn the rope with small wrist circles.
  3. Hop lightly as the rope passes under your feet.
  4. Land softly on the balls of your feet and keep a steady rhythm.
  5. Stop the rope and step out when your set is done.
Form cues
  • Stay tall and relaxed
  • Keep jumps low
Common mistakes
  • Swinging from your shoulders
  • Jumping too high or landing heavy
Ankle Hops
Ankle Hops30 sec
How to

Small, quick hops on both feet that train your calves, ankles, and foot control.

  1. Stand tall with feet hip-width apart and knees slightly bent.
  2. Rise onto the balls of your feet.
  3. Hop lightly in place using mostly your ankles.
  4. Land softly on the balls of your feet and repeat.
Form cues
  • Keep hops small and quick.
  • Stay tall through your torso.
Common mistakes
  • Landing hard on your heels.
  • Bending your knees deeply on each hop.
Leg Swings
Leg Swings20 sec each side
How to

A dynamic leg swing that warms up your hips, hamstrings, and glutes while challenging balance.

  1. Stand tall and hold a wall or rail for light support if needed.
  2. Lift one leg slightly off the floor with a soft knee.
  3. Swing it forward and back with control.
  4. Set it down, then switch legs on the next rep.
Form cues
  • Keep your torso tall.
  • Swing from the hip, not the low back.
Common mistakes
  • Leaning back as the leg swings forward.
  • Forcing the range of motion.
Glute Bridge
Glute Bridge10x
How to

A floor hip lift that trains your glutes and hamstrings with both feet planted.

  1. Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat, hip-width apart.
  2. Brace your core and press your arms lightly into the floor.
  3. Drive through your heels and lift your hips until your body forms a straight line.
  4. Squeeze your glutes at the top, then lower with control.
  5. Repeat for your reps.
Form cues
  • Keep your ribs down
  • Drive through your heels
Common mistakes
  • Arching your lower back at the top
  • Pushing through your toes
Bodyweight Squat
Bodyweight Squat8x
How to

A bodyweight lower-body move that trains your quads, glutes, and hips.

  1. Stand with feet about shoulder-width apart and toes slightly out.
  2. Brace your core and keep your chest tall.
  3. Bend your knees and hips to lower into a squat.
  4. Push through your feet to stand back up.
Form cues
  • Keep your knees tracking over your toes
  • Keep your chest up
Common mistakes
  • Letting your knees cave in
  • Rounding your back as you lower
2 rounds · 10 sec rest

Set A — Elastic Jumps

Explode up, land softly, reset between reps as needed.

Countermovement Jump
Countermovement Jump5x
How to

A quick dip and jump that trains explosive power in your legs and hips.

  1. Stand tall with feet about hip-width apart.
  2. Dip fast by bending your knees and hips, and swing your arms back.
  3. Jump straight up as high as you can, swinging your arms forward.
  4. Land softly with bent knees, then stand tall and reset.
Form cues
  • Keep your chest up
  • Land quietly on both feet
Common mistakes
  • Letting your knees cave in
  • Landing stiff-legged
Squat Jump
Squat Jump5x
How to

A bodyweight squat into an explosive jump that trains your legs, glutes, and power.

  1. Stand with feet about shoulder-width apart and arms by your sides.
  2. Push your hips back and bend your knees into a squat.
  3. Drive through your feet and jump straight up.
  4. Land softly with knees bent, then go into the next rep.
Form cues
  • Land quiet and controlled
  • Keep your chest lifted
Common mistakes
  • Letting your knees cave in
  • Landing with stiff legs
3 rounds · 30 sec rest
1 min rest

Set B — Unilateral Power

Stay tall; keep knee tracking over toes; step down instead of jumping down. — Landing control focus.

Split Squat Jump
Split Squat Jump6x each side
How to

A jumping split squat that trains your legs and glutes while challenging power and balance.

  1. Stand in a split stance with your front foot flat and back heel lifted.
  2. Bend both knees and lower into a split squat.
  3. Jump straight up, driving through your front foot.
  4. Land softly in the same stance and lower into the next rep.
  5. Finish your reps, then switch legs.
Form cues
  • Keep your chest tall
  • Land with soft knees
Common mistakes
  • Letting your front knee cave inward
  • Landing hard on each jump
Box Drop (Step Down)
Box Drop (Step Down)5x
How to

A controlled step down from a box that trains your quads, glutes, and balance.

  1. Stand on a box with one foot near the edge.
  2. Let the other foot hover off the side or front.
  3. Bend your standing knee and slowly lower your free foot to the floor.
  4. Tap the floor lightly, then drive through your standing foot to rise.
  5. Finish your reps, then switch legs.
Form cues
  • Keep your knee tracking over your toes
  • Control the lowering
Common mistakes
  • Dropping quickly to the floor
  • Letting your knee cave inward
3 rounds · 30 sec rest
1 min rest

Set C — Single-Leg Reactivity

Small, quick hops. Stop if you feel Achilles discomfort.

Single-Leg Hop
Single-Leg Hop8x each side
How to

A one-leg jumping move that trains power, balance, and control.

  1. Stand tall on one leg with a soft knee and arms ready.
  2. Dip slightly, then hop forward or in place on the same leg.
  3. Land softly on the ball of your foot, then let your heel lower.
  4. Reset your balance before the next hop.
  5. Finish your reps, then switch legs.
Form cues
  • Keep your knee tracking over your toes.
  • Land quietly with control.
Common mistakes
  • Letting your knee cave inward on landing.
  • Rushing the next hop before you regain balance.
2 rounds · 30 sec rest

Cool-Down

Bring heart rate down and restore lower-leg/quad length. Calves, quads, ankles focus.

Calf Raise
Calf Raise15x
How to

A standing lower-leg move that trains your calves by lifting and lowering your heels.

  1. Stand tall with both feet hip-width apart.
  2. Press through the balls of your feet and lift your heels.
  3. Pause briefly at the top with control.
  4. Lower your heels slowly back to the floor.
  5. Repeat for your reps.
Form cues
  • Keep your ankles tracking straight.
  • Move up and down with control.
Common mistakes
  • Rocking onto the outside edges of your feet.
  • Bouncing at the bottom of each rep.
Standing Quad Stretch
Standing Quad Stretch30 sec each side
How to

A standing thigh stretch that targets the front of your hip and quad on one leg.

  1. Stand tall and hold a wall or chair for balance if needed.
  2. Bend one knee and hold your ankle or foot behind you.
  3. Keep your knees close and gently draw your heel toward your glute.
  4. Hold the stretch and breathe slowly.
  5. Release with control, then switch legs.
Form cues
  • Stand tall through your chest
  • Keep your knees close
Common mistakes
  • Arching your lower back
  • Pulling the knee out to the side
Standing Calf Stretch
Standing Calf Stretch30 sec each side
How to

A standing calf stretch for one leg that targets the back of your lower leg.

  1. Stand facing a wall and place both hands on it.
  2. Step one foot back and keep that heel on the floor.
  3. Bend your front knee until you feel a stretch in the back calf.
  4. Hold the stretch and breathe slowly.
  5. Release, step in, then switch legs.
Form cues
  • Keep your back heel down
  • Point both toes forward
Common mistakes
  • Letting the back heel lift
  • Turning the back foot out
Elastic Energy From Ankle to Hip

Elastic Energy From Ankle to Hip

Ankle Hops and Jump Rope prime the stretch-shortening cycle in your soleus and Achilles tendon before heavier loading begins. Squat Jumps and Countermovement Jumps then recruit the glutes and quads through rapid eccentric-concentric transitions — the exact mechanism that determines peak takeoff velocity.

Vertical Jump Is a Tendon Sport

Vertical Jump Is a Tendon Sport

Elite jumpers store and release elastic energy through stiff, conditioned tendons — not just strong muscles. The progression from Ankle Hops to Single-Leg Hops mirrors how your Achilles and patellar tendons must absorb ground reaction forces and rebound explosively, a demand that separates good jumpers from great ones.

Plyometric Sequencing for Peak Output

Plyometric Sequencing for Peak Output

Box Drop into ground contact trains reactive strength index — your ability to minimize contact time while maximizing force output. Start each jump set fully recovered (90–120s rest) to train the neuromuscular system at true peak intensity. If Single-Leg Hops feel asymmetrical, prioritize that weaker side before adding volume.

Intermediate Vertical Jump Routine | Mighty Nimble | Mighty Nimble