14 year old wanting to jump higher and dribble better

Question
QUESTION: i am fourteen years old, and i am about five foot four. my coaches said that i have a chance to make it pro, if i work hard in the game like i do during practice. i played freshmen basketball this year (which to me is a disappointment even though i am in the ninth grade. i was shooing for jv this year then vasrity after that.) and i really hope to make it to the varsity basketball team from the enth grade and up. i cant jump to save my life, and i am barely skimming the bottom of the back board. i am starting your "jump higher" workout on monday, 1/28/08. i play point guard on the team, and i wanted to know that if there is anything that will help me dribble better, jump higher (i really want to dunk), and shoot better before school starts in September for FREE!!! i practice every chance i get, which is pretty hard since i have advance placement academic classes (so much homework)but i am willing to do anything to get better.

ANSWER: Dear friend,

First of all, don't neglect your homework because even if you become a pro player, this is not going to give you money for the rest of your life. Basketball usually ends for a player at 35.

Now, it's ok to start the program but be sure to take safety measures for plyometric exercises. That is perform exercises on an exercise mat (soft surface) and wear high cut basketball shoes. However, I want to say that dunking for your height is an unrealistic goal. Dunking will come in the following years as you gain some height.

For now, you must focus on technique. Dribbling is a main aspect of your game.
There are a lot of drills that challenge your dribbling ability and make you better. The most drills I use the most on dribbling are demonstrated in the following sites. Check them out.

The first is mainly to improve your handles and the second for dribbling drills.

http://www.degerstrom.com/basketball/drills/ballhandling/
http://www.basketball-drills-and-plays.com/ball-handling-drills.html

Try to perform as many. Get on the court and work hard to get better.

Sincerely Yours,
Coach B.Anagnostou
Olympiacos Pireaus Coaching staff
(Euroleague, HEBA)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for answering my questions. i have a friend who is my height, and he is grabbing the rim. i asked him what he does, but he wont answer me, all he says is do calf raises all day, and walk on your tip toes. i do walk on my tip toes and do calf raises, but whenever i jump i still reach the same height. i asked my biology teacher, and she says that it is probably genetic. last year, i couldn't touch back board, and the only reason i am touching it now is that i grew (i grow during the summer). i looked at the websites, and i am going to start on monday along with your workout. do you think that i should do the dribbling drills the same day i do the workout, or do it opposite days or do it everyday? is there anything you that you think i should do while i do the workout? (on the workout schedule, you forgot the depth jump set and reps for the odd numbered weeks. are you trying to tell us not to do the depth jump on the odd numbered weeks?)
i no that i am an inquisitive guy. thanks again for answering all of my questions.
P.S.
have you heard of travel ball teams? have you thought of coaching one? go to http://www.socalhoops.com/to look at tournaments.
my name is Christopher.

ANSWER: Dear friend,

Of course, genes play a role but the most percentage is on practice. Yes, calf raises is an exercise that helps a lot with vertical and as you can see it's included in my program.

Dribbling practice should be done the days you don't work on the program and off course more intesively during weekends.

Well as far as travel ball teams are concerned, I don't know much because i'm coaching in Greece.

Sincerely Yours,
Coach B.Anagnostou
Olympiacos Pireaus Coaching staff
(Euroleague, HEBA)

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: that is probably why you didnt hear about it because you're in greece and i am in the u.s. monday is coming, and i wanted to know if you ad any last minute tips, ankle wieghts or anything?  i might contact you every two weeks to tell you how youre workout works. and even though you are in  greece and just in case you wanted to go on the website, i accidently gave you the wrong website. the website is the following:
http://socalhoops.com/  
that should be it.
thanks again!

Answer
Dear friend,

No you won't need any ankle weights in the start. Maybe not at all. Ankle weights increase your chances of getting of injury and the program is designed so that you won't need them.

Please keep me in track of the results.

Yours,
Vangelis

P.S. The site shows 403 forbidden error.