vertical leap and size disadvantage

Question
Coach Anagnostou I have a problem with my size I am a freshmen at a high school in Alabama. I am 5'4 and I have a great disadvantage against taller defenders. I use my speed but some times it don't work. I need some advice on how to just use my size as a disadvantage to them.

As far is my vertical leap I have a alright verical leap I'm only 14 at 5'4 touching the backboard at a ten foot goal trying it to get higher what are some tips for me to jump higher

Answer
Dear Jay,
Thanks for your question.

You are still young and that's an great advantage. Working on vertical leap in an early age is a benefit. And i'll also give you some high value advice not only for you vertical, but how to grow taller.

My very first advice for you will focus on how to play better right now. Speeding and accelerating is an advantage, but it's not always working. First of all, try to elevate your FAKING skills. Fake making the shot before you actually attempt it. Taller player at this age are always looking for a block, so they "bite" at most of the time. Secondly, learn to PROTECT THE BALL WITH YOUR BODY while on air when driving to the hoop. Keep the ball by your side with both hands and slightly lean your body against your opponent to get the contact and the foul. And thirdly learn not to loose even tens of second when attempting a jump shot. Fast execution ensures your shot will not be blocked. Remember when in offence that the offender controls the ball, so he kind of controls the defender. You can get him where you want and make him bite while always being sure the ball is safe. This is the best skill of a good point guard. THESE ASPECTS OF YOUR GAME WILL NOT BE ENHANCED FROM ONE DAY TO ANOTHER. IT ENTAILS WEEKS OF HARD PRACTICE WORKING TO ACHIEVE THESE AND GETTING TO USE THEM IN YOUR GAME.

I see you already have a good vertical, but everything is considered to be good until something better comes up. So, i'll give you some good drills.

The drills
a)Step ups - Get a chair and ensure it will remain stable(e.g.put it against a wall). Begin with one thigh on the chair parallel to the ground. With all of
your strength, push off of the elevated leg and leap off of the chair as high as you can. Crisscross or switch your legs in the air. Land with the opposite leg
elevated in the chair as in step 1. Repeat the procedure until you are back to step 1. This completes 1 repetition.
b)Burnouts - Elevated as high as you possible can on your tiptoes to assure that you work the high end of your calves. As quickly as you possibly can, jump
repeatedly no more than 1/2 to 1 inch off of the ground making sure to keep yourself elevated as high on your tiptoes as possible ensuring that you are
working the upper calf muscles.
c)Calf raises - step on a book or stair step one legged standing on toes, heel
below the step, raise yourself up only with your calf,
d)Leap ups - bend down to a 1/4 squat position and jump back into the air to a minimum of 8 to 10 inches,
e)Thrust ups - Begin with your legs straight, thrust (bounce) yourself up as high as you possibly can and when come back down you thrust at once back up
trying not to bend your legs.
f)Squat hops - Squat down into a sitting position while hugging a ball for balance.Make sure that you are looking straight ahead, with your back straight,
that you are elevated on the balls of your feet (half tiptoed) and most importantly that your thighs are parallel to the ground. Hop or bounce in the
seated position between 3-5 inches per hop.
g)Depth jumps(maybe the most important exercise) - Get a chair or a box and ensure it will remain stable. Watch the cushioning. Get on the chair (2 to 3 feet high), drop off with both feet and as soon as you land, explosively jump back into the air.
Do not overtrain. This will cause an injury or a burnout which will leave you behind..
Warming up, stretching and cooling down is of the utmost importance.

To end, some tips to grow taller. Do you know that 80% of  people don't use the even the 25% of growth hormone availiable. And this is a result of diet and lifestyle. Eating food containing the essential nutrients and sleeping 7-9 hours at night in a completely dark room are one of the things promoting growth hormone release. I ll tell you this huge secret. Chicken, walnuts or chocolate with not much sugar 1 to 2 hours before sleep dramatically increase growth hormone release. That's it!
Hope i've helped.
Yours, Coach Anagnostou Bob