At 6’8.5” and 312 lbs, my vertical at the NFL Combine hit 33 inches. That’s seven inches shy of the rim—while weighing over 1.5x more than Chet Holmgren. But Trent Williams still outjumped me by 1.5”. Here’s the game plan I’d use to close that gap—and how you can improve your vertical too. ATG Split Squats are key for building strength through full range of motion, especially in the ankle, knee, and hip. By pushing the knee over the toe, we unlock better dorsiflexion and hip flexibility, boosting depth and power. Reverse sled drags add quad strength and tendon resilience without loading the spine, while tibialis raises stabilize the ankle on landings, reducing injury risk. For posterior chain power and force generation, RDLs are the go-to. Kettlebell swings teach rapid hip extension, essential for turning strength into explosive movement. Adding plyometric exercises like depth jumps, box jumps, and broad jumps rounds out the program, building strength, coordination, and speed. When y...