How does my vertical compare to others?

Question
QUESTION: I am a junior in high school and am 5'7". I have a vertical jump of 26" is that competitive compared to other girls my age and height?

ANSWER: Hello Annie & welcome to www.allexperts.com!  It's great to hear from you!

I've been measuring vertical for a long time.  And 26" is in the top 15% of all female high school vball players.  

I want you to beware of something:  If you measured your vertical on a Vertec, then it always seems to give kids a few extra inches that, when they leave the Vertec, they can't replicate. It's odd.  What I've guessed is that the Vertec "stretches the truth" a little, giving everyone a few extra inches.  But I'm not sure of that.  Maybe someone reading this can tell me at [email protected] if they've had the same experience.

I also want you to be aware of this:  Vertical jump is probably the 10th priority of a vball player.  (It's the 20th priority of a middle school player!!)  If a high player can't pass, serve, dig, hustle, if a player isn't in good shape, have reasonable strength, a good teammate, loyal, reliable, dedicated, etc., then vertical doesn't mean much.  Having a great vertical gets people's attention like a boy's muscles may get your attention.  Yeah, it's impressive at first, but if that's all he's got, then you're going to lose interest in "his game" pretty quickly.  Does that make sense?  I mean, it's GREAT that you have a 26" vertical.  But, it doesn't take the place of the more important fundamentals of the game that I listed above -- just like muscles doesn't take the place of a nice personality, intelligent, gentlemenly, ambitious, no addictions, good work ethic, etc.  

What else can I do for you?

If you live on the east coast, I hope that you're considering attending one of my STAR summer volleyball camps.  I'm directing 9, and you can see them at my website, www.coachhouser.com.  If you visit it, I think you'll also be impressed with all the smiling faces!!

Chat soon!
It's great to hear from you.
Coach Houser



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

QUESTION: Thank you, Coach Houser, for responding. I agree with everything you've said previously. The reason I asked the question about vertical measurements was because it seems to be what the colleges are interested in when I complete their "athlete interest" forms. They also ask for an approach vertical can you tell me for my height of 5'7" what is a good approach and hitting vertical?

Answer
Good evening!

Yes, colleges are not only interested in your volleyball basics (what I mentioned earlier), but they are also interested in your academics, your character, your personality, and yes your physical "measurements".  You can't be surprised if a coach asks you:
* what is your gpa?  what is your class rank?  our of how many students in your graduating class?
* have you ever pled or been found guilty of anything other than a minor traffic offense?  what type of discipline issues did you have in school?  May be contact your school principals?  
* what is your bench max?  your squat max?  your dead lift max?
* what is your standing reach? your block reach?  your vertical?  your approach reach?

A college coach wants their team to go the "next level," so they search for athletes who excel in many areas:  Character, strength, academics, explosiveness as well as the particular sport.

Not to your specific question:   I think approach vertical and hitting vertical are the same thing.  It should be higher than your normal vertical, where you can't take any time of approach; however, I've never seen those on a recruiting sheet.....maybe that's something new that I'm not accustomed to seeing.  I normally see vertical, standing reach, blocking reach and hitting reach.  Do you see those on the forms you're filling out.    

Again, thanks for visiting!
I hope that I've been some help.
If you want me to see these forms you're talking about, please email the websites and I'll look them over.  

Have a great evening!  88 degrees yesterday, today and tomorrow here in the mountains of Virginia and that's pretty warm. But it sure beats the cold snowy winter we had!  :)

Later!
Coach Houser