GrandeDavid
11-03-2006, 06:08 AM
http://archive.cinweekly.com/content/2004/02/18/0218howto_dunk.asp
(granted, this article is pushing three years old!)
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
Dunk
Something that isn't a donut
TABARI MCCOY | CIN WEEKLY
University of Cincinnati star sophomore James White knows a thing or two about the game of basketball, especially when it comes to making a dunk.
Earning the nickname "Flight 75" because of his self-estimated 37-inch vertical leap and skill in a game against "And 1 Mixtape Tour" all-star Robert "50" Martin, the 6-foot 7-inch forward has provided several thunderous highlights in his first season with the Bearcats.
http://archive.cinweekly.com/content/2004/02/18/images/0218jameswhitedunk.jpg
Temporarily grounded for a moment before a practice at the Fifth Third Bank Arena at Shoemaker Center, White shares his secrets on life above the rim.
• As is the case with most things in life, getting balanced is a key to dunking success, according to White. Once you have your balance, White says it's time to focus on building up speed before takeoff.
• White recommends the spot where you would begin a jump to make a lay-up as a starting point when you dunk. He says you should look at the front of the rim as the dunking point and "if you can jump really high, focus (next) on the creativity."
White says your hand should be at least four inches above the rim when attempting a dunk (if the rim is about an inch below your wrist if you were to raise your arm straight up in the air, you should be in business).
General hand-eye coordination, however, shouldn't be underestimated when it's time to actually dunk the ball.
"If you don't have big hands, you probably want to go up with two hands until you get right to the rim to dunk it in with one (hand) as it's the easiest way," he says. "Some other people like to hold (the ball) with one (hand) and cup it in their palm and their arm."
• To prevent injury, White says steer clear of any feet near your targeted takeoff zone. Hang on the rim only if someone is below you, instead of landing on them like an anvil on Wile E. Coyote.
IMPROVE YOUR UPS
Of course, none of these tips will matter if you can't reach the rim without the use of a ladder or forklift in the first place.
To improve your vertical leap, White recommends calf raises and squats to build up your leg muscles. Don't forget to practice jumping as well, White says, as he credits the repetition with training his legs to get used to all of the jumping.
Noting his favorite dunk is to take off from the free throw line, White says building up speed is the one thing to keep in mind if you can't remember anything else.
"Get a good running start," he said. "Momentum is the key to really getting a good dunk."
(granted, this article is pushing three years old!)
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
Dunk
Something that isn't a donut
TABARI MCCOY | CIN WEEKLY
University of Cincinnati star sophomore James White knows a thing or two about the game of basketball, especially when it comes to making a dunk.
Earning the nickname "Flight 75" because of his self-estimated 37-inch vertical leap and skill in a game against "And 1 Mixtape Tour" all-star Robert "50" Martin, the 6-foot 7-inch forward has provided several thunderous highlights in his first season with the Bearcats.
http://archive.cinweekly.com/content/2004/02/18/images/0218jameswhitedunk.jpg
Temporarily grounded for a moment before a practice at the Fifth Third Bank Arena at Shoemaker Center, White shares his secrets on life above the rim.
• As is the case with most things in life, getting balanced is a key to dunking success, according to White. Once you have your balance, White says it's time to focus on building up speed before takeoff.
• White recommends the spot where you would begin a jump to make a lay-up as a starting point when you dunk. He says you should look at the front of the rim as the dunking point and "if you can jump really high, focus (next) on the creativity."
White says your hand should be at least four inches above the rim when attempting a dunk (if the rim is about an inch below your wrist if you were to raise your arm straight up in the air, you should be in business).
General hand-eye coordination, however, shouldn't be underestimated when it's time to actually dunk the ball.
"If you don't have big hands, you probably want to go up with two hands until you get right to the rim to dunk it in with one (hand) as it's the easiest way," he says. "Some other people like to hold (the ball) with one (hand) and cup it in their palm and their arm."
• To prevent injury, White says steer clear of any feet near your targeted takeoff zone. Hang on the rim only if someone is below you, instead of landing on them like an anvil on Wile E. Coyote.
IMPROVE YOUR UPS
Of course, none of these tips will matter if you can't reach the rim without the use of a ladder or forklift in the first place.
To improve your vertical leap, White recommends calf raises and squats to build up your leg muscles. Don't forget to practice jumping as well, White says, as he credits the repetition with training his legs to get used to all of the jumping.
Noting his favorite dunk is to take off from the free throw line, White says building up speed is the one thing to keep in mind if you can't remember anything else.
"Get a good running start," he said. "Momentum is the key to really getting a good dunk."