Progressing Plyometrics: The Building Block of Athleticism
A plyometric (plyo) exercise is any movement that incorporates the Stretch-Shortening Cycle (SSC) to increase power output.
The SSC has three general phases:
- Eccentric (downward motion/force absorption)
- Amortization (short pause between eccentric and concentric)
- Concentric (upward/force production)
Some form of plyometrics should be a major part of any strength and conditioning program. It helps build elasticity, tendon stiffness, and power output. This translates to most sporting activity that includes jumping, running, and changing direction. Just like any strength exercise, there must be a progression to your plyometrics. There are different ways to do this and in this article we will discuss a very simple progression that is useable with all levels of athletes. That being said, before an athlete progressed to a high level of plyometrics there needs to be a baseline level of strength.
Force Absorption – Eccentric
The first step in introducing plyometrics is making sure the athlete can absorb the forces their own body weight puts on their joints when they land from a jump or change direction. Most injuries occur during the eccentric or deceleration phase of plyometrics. These first exercises will predominately be just landing from different heights. Assuming the athletes has some wear and tear, they should have some tolerance to force absorption. However, they may not have the high tolerance they will need as the longevity of their career.
Athletes move in different planes of motion so they need to be able to absorb force both horizontally and vertically. What this would look like in a vertical way, would be landing on the ground off of a box jump. This is the most basic of force absorption exercises. Start with a box that is approximately the height the athlete can jump and have them jump off and land in a stable position. Progress this by raising the height of the box. Then move to a single leg.
Horizontally, a simple exercise is to loop a band around the waist of the athlete and have them face where the band attaches. Next, have them hop forward and land on both feet. To make in more challenging, scoot back and jump farther forward. Then restart the process with a single leg.
This initial stage will also be where we build some elastic endurance to prepare for the later stages. Elastic endurance is being able to generate a consistent amount of force over a longer period of time or a higher number of jumps. These should start out at a relatively low intensity and progressively become more intense. An example that I frequently use is pogo hops. We start at about 10 reps at 50-60% and steadily build up in the following weeks until we reach near-maximal intensity.
Force Production – Concentric
The next progression is force production or, the concentric part, of the SSC. This would be the upward phase of a vertical jump. Force production is a reflection of how fast you can exert force to produce the desired movement and is a result of both strength and speed* (Silver, 2013). This is not necessarily done for injury reduction as training the eccentric phase is, but more for sport performance. The ability to produce force is partly dependent on absorbing and redirecting eccentric force.
During this phase, eccentric forces can more or less be eliminated if desired to isolate the concentric movement. An example would be performing a box jump from a seated position. There will be some eccentric load on the back end of the landing but it is greatly reduced by jumping up to a box. This example may also help to shorten the amortization phase and ground contact time, which are very important to increase reactivity and explosiveness.
Putting Them Together
The third progression is where all three phases (eccentric, amortization, concentric) come together. This is the most sports-specific of the progressions as full movement jumping is part of almost all athletics. Here we will simultaneously train the three phases with many different types of vertical, horizontal, and lateral jumps. An example of this would be a maximal countermovement vertical jump where an athlete eccentrically loads and transfers that force vertically jumping as high as they can. A more intense example would be depth or drop jumps, where an athlete starts with a larger eccentric load and goes into a maximal jump.
When and where you program plyometrics for athletes is dependent on what the desired outcome is. It most likely should be done at or near the beginning of a workout. Pylo should always be done at the beginning of a workout so the athlete can achieve max effort with little to no fatigue. Submax and extensive plyos should also be done relatively early in workouts, but may be able to be done later if the desired outcome is met with fatigue.
Regardless of the timing of plyometrics in a program, volume has to be taken into account. This includes the plyometric volume in a training session, but also in their sport. For instance, if a basketball player is practicing 5 days a week in the offseason, the number of times that athlete impacts the ground has to be taken into account when programming. Overtraining plyos, like overtraining any other movement, can lead to overuse injuries and larger problems down the road.
Single-Leg Plyos
Single leg plyometrics are just as important than both legs. In most sports, athletes find themselves on one leg during most of the competition. Single leg plyos can be progressed in the same way as both leg plyos and should be done simultaneously.
There are some pre-requisites for single-leg plyometric training. Before training plyometrics of any form, a base of strength must be built and be able to absorb the force of the future impacts on their joints. Before single-leg plyos are trained, the athlete should have exposure to double leg plyos and have some elastic endurance built up. Just as with double leg plyos, volume and intensity must be carefully tracked to limit overtraining and overuse injuries.
Examples of single-leg plyos are the same as double leg. Start with force absorption and elastic endurance by jumping off of things and repeat jumps. Transition to jumping onto things like a short box. Then jump over things such as mini hurdles.
Example Workout
Here is a simple example of a short plyometric workout encompassing several different planes of motion. This is assuming that force absorption is already proficient.
Multi-directional, low-intensity bunny hops and high intensity 45-degree bounds to prepare tissue for the main workout. I do 2-3 sets for each and 10 yards for each direction of bunny hops. 15 yards both forward and backward for the bound.
Bunny hops
[youtube video=”45 Bounds
Measured max height jump of some kind. In this case, I’m using a hurdle as a point of reference to jump over. You can also use a vertec to measure jump height or tape and a wall if you are balling on a budget. Measuring is a good idea for personal feedback and to keep track of your performance. I like to keep the volume somewhere around 10-16 total jumps with about 30 seconds between reps (no more than 3 jumps per set) and at least 2 minutes between sets.
Hurdle Jump
Next, change the plane of motion up with a lateral broad jump 3-5 sets of 2-4 jumps each leg. This is a maximal intensity jump so take rest similar to the hurdle jump between sets and reps. Start with a total volume for the workout of around 6-8 jumps each leg.
Lateral Broad Jump
Finish up with some low-intensity single leg work 2-4 sets of 3-5 jumps each leg.
Single-Leg Mini Hurdle Hop
Conclusion
Before any plyometrics are trained, a base of strength needs to be built in the athlete and basic movements need to be taught. The first step in the plyometric progression is jumping off of things or force absorption (eccentric) which can be done simultaneously with building a base of strength. This is all about absorbing the horizontal and vertical forces put on the joints during high impact activities in sports. The second step is jumping onto things or increasing force production (concentric). We want the athlete to not only be able to produce a large amount of force but also do it as quickly as possible. The third step is putting both previous steps together and jump over things. This combines eccentric loading (dip before the jump), vertical force production (jumping over the thing), and then eccentric force absorption again (landing).
Finally, single-leg plyometrics are to be done following the same progression and done simultaneously as both legs. Although, the athlete should have some exposure to plyos before jumping into single leg work. All plyometrics should be progressively overloaded just as all strength exercises are to reduce the risk of overtraining.
References
*Silver, J. (2020, June 9). Power training provides special benefits for muscles and function. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/power-training-provides-special-benefits-for-muscles-and-function-201304226097.
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Progressing Plyometrics: The Building Block of Athleticism
A plyometric (plyo) exercise is any movement that incorporates the Stretch-Shortening Cycle (SSC) to increase power output.
The SSC has three general phases:
- Eccentric (downward motion/force absorption)
- Amortization (short pause between eccentric and concentric)
- Concentric (upward/force production)
Some form of plyometrics should be a major part of any strength and conditioning program. It helps build elasticity, tendon stiffness, and power output. This translates to most sporting activity that includes jumping, running, and changing direction. Just like any strength exercise, there must be a progression to your plyometrics. There are different ways to do this and in this article we will discuss a very simple progression that is useable with all levels of athletes. That being said, before an athlete progressed to a high level of plyometrics there needs to be a baseline level of strength.
Force Absorption – Eccentric
The first step in introducing plyometrics is making sure the athlete can absorb the forces their own body weight puts on their joints when they land from a jump or change direction. Most injuries occur during the eccentric or deceleration phase of plyometrics. These first exercises will predominately be just landing from different heights. Assuming the athletes has some wear and tear, they should have some tolerance to force absorption. However, they may not have the high tolerance they will need as the longevity of their career.
Athletes move in different planes of motion so they need to be able to absorb force both horizontally and vertically. What this would look like in a vertical way, would be landing on the ground off of a box jump. This is the most basic of force absorption exercises. Start with a box that is approximately the height the athlete can jump and have them jump off and land in a stable position. Progress this by raising the height of the box. Then move to a single leg.
Horizontally, a simple exercise is to loop a band around the waist of the athlete and have them face where the band attaches. Next, have them hop forward and land on both feet. To make in more challenging, scoot back and jump farther forward. Then restart the process with a single leg.
This initial stage will also be where we build some elastic endurance to prepare for the later stages. Elastic endurance is being able to generate a consistent amount of force over a longer period of time or a higher number of jumps. These should start out at a relatively low intensity and progressively become more intense. An example that I frequently use is pogo hops. We start at about 10 reps at 50-60% and steadily build up in the following weeks until we reach near-maximal intensity.
Force Production – Concentric
The next progression is force production or, the concentric part, of the SSC. This would be the upward phase of a vertical jump. Force production is a reflection of how fast you can exert force to produce the desired movement and is a result of both strength and speed* (Silver, 2013). This is not necessarily done for injury reduction as training the eccentric phase is, but more for sport performance. The ability to produce force is partly dependent on absorbing and redirecting eccentric force.
During this phase, eccentric forces can more or less be eliminated if desired to isolate the concentric movement. An example would be performing a box jump from a seated position. There will be some eccentric load on the back end of the landing but it is greatly reduced by jumping up to a box. This example may also help to shorten the amortization phase and ground contact time, which are very important to increase reactivity and explosiveness.
Putting Them Together
The third progression is where all three phases (eccentric, amortization, concentric) come together. This is the most sports-specific of the progressions as full movement jumping is part of almost all athletics. Here we will simultaneously train the three phases with many different types of vertical, horizontal, and lateral jumps. An example of this would be a maximal countermovement vertical jump where an athlete eccentrically loads and transfers that force vertically jumping as high as they can. A more intense example would be depth or drop jumps, where an athlete starts with a larger eccentric load and goes into a maximal jump.
When and where you program plyometrics for athletes is dependent on what the desired outcome is. It most likely should be done at or near the beginning of a workout. Pylo should always be done at the beginning of a workout so the athlete can achieve max effort with little to no fatigue. Submax and extensive plyos should also be done relatively early in workouts, but may be able to be done later if the desired outcome is met with fatigue.
Regardless of the timing of plyometrics in a program, volume has to be taken into account. This includes the plyometric volume in a training session, but also in their sport. For instance, if a basketball player is practicing 5 days a week in the offseason, the number of times that athlete impacts the ground has to be taken into account when programming. Overtraining plyos, like overtraining any other movement, can lead to overuse injuries and larger problems down the road.
Single-Leg Plyos
Single leg plyometrics are just as important than both legs. In most sports, athletes find themselves on one leg during most of the competition. Single leg plyos can be progressed in the same way as both leg plyos and should be done simultaneously.
There are some pre-requisites for single-leg plyometric training. Before training plyometrics of any form, a base of strength must be built and be able to absorb the force of the future impacts on their joints. Before single-leg plyos are trained, the athlete should have exposure to double leg plyos and have some elastic endurance built up. Just as with double leg plyos, volume and intensity must be carefully tracked to limit overtraining and overuse injuries.
Examples of single-leg plyos are the same as double leg. Start with force absorption and elastic endurance by jumping off of things and repeat jumps. Transition to jumping onto things like a short box. Then jump over things such as mini hurdles.
Example Workout
Here is a simple example of a short plyometric workout encompassing several different planes of motion. This is assuming that force absorption is already proficient.
Multi-directional, low-intensity bunny hops and high intensity 45-degree bounds to prepare tissue for the main workout. I do 2-3 sets for each and 10 yards for each direction of bunny hops. 15 yards both forward and backward for the bound.
Bunny hops
[youtube video=”45 Bounds
Measured max height jump of some kind. In this case, I’m using a hurdle as a point of reference to jump over. You can also use a vertec to measure jump height or tape and a wall if you are balling on a budget. Measuring is a good idea for personal feedback and to keep track of your performance. I like to keep the volume somewhere around 10-16 total jumps with about 30 seconds between reps (no more than 3 jumps per set) and at least 2 minutes between sets.
Hurdle Jump
Next, change the plane of motion up with a lateral broad jump 3-5 sets of 2-4 jumps each leg. This is a maximal intensity jump so take rest similar to the hurdle jump between sets and reps. Start with a total volume for the workout of around 6-8 jumps each leg.
Lateral Broad Jump
Finish up with some low-intensity single leg work 2-4 sets of 3-5 jumps each leg.
Single-Leg Mini Hurdle Hop
Conclusion
Before any plyometrics are trained, a base of strength needs to be built in the athlete and basic movements need to be taught. The first step in the plyometric progression is jumping off of things or force absorption (eccentric) which can be done simultaneously with building a base of strength. This is all about absorbing the horizontal and vertical forces put on the joints during high impact activities in sports. The second step is jumping onto things or increasing force production (concentric). We want the athlete to not only be able to produce a large amount of force but also do it as quickly as possible. The third step is putting both previous steps together and jump over things. This combines eccentric loading (dip before the jump), vertical force production (jumping over the thing), and then eccentric force absorption again (landing).
Finally, single-leg plyometrics are to be done following the same progression and done simultaneously as both legs. Although, the athlete should have some exposure to plyos before jumping into single leg work. All plyometrics should be progressively overloaded just as all strength exercises are to reduce the risk of overtraining.
References
*Silver, J. (2020, June 9). Power training provides special benefits for muscles and function. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/power-training-provides-special-benefits-for-muscles-and-function-201304226097.