Since the term "dunk" was born in 1936 millions of basketball players tried to
add this "move" to their repertoire or at least to learn it. Back then the New
York Times journalist Arthur Daley watched some basketball players of the
McPherson Oilers bringing the ball above the basket and throwing it through the
rim. He compared this motion with dunking a cookie in your coffee and the most
popular move in basketball was born.
Since then there has been an incredible evolution of the "move" called dunk.
Julius Erving, Michael Jordan, Vince Carter - they all took the dunk to the next
level. Last year TJ Fontenette, aka The Air Up There from the streetball crew
called AND1 became the first man to complete a 720-degree dunk - that's two
complete rotations in the air!
So nowadays every kid wants to dunk long before he can even make a layup. But
why is the dunk so popular? Let's ask Vince Carter, arguably the best dunker in
the world:
"Because most of the people who watch or play basketball in their spare time
can't do that stuff. But they want it. A lot of guys have a killer crossover,
everyone can deliver a behind the back pass and hit from halfcourt. But how many
people can throw down a 360?"
It is simple - once you can dunk you never want to loose the feeling you get
rising up in the air, throwing the ball through the rim, the nylon or the chain
net, hanging at the rim and looking down on your embarrassed opponent who
seconds ago was trying to block you...
"Dunking the ball is better than sex!" - Shawn Kemp, one of the best dunkers in
NBA history
This comparison gives you a roughly idea what kind of feeling it is to dunk. Ok,
but now let's have a look why the most people who play basketball and want to
dunk actually don't make it.
The most popular excuse goes like this: "I'm just too small!" And this one is
definitely wrong. Why? Because if you're over 5'7" - that's the height of the
smallest NBA slam dunk champion Spud Webb - and have no chronic health problems
(knees, ankles, back) you definitely can learn to dunk!
So, if it's not the height, what's the secret about dunking? Why do so many
people, even guys who play basketball regular actually fail learning to dunk?
Because the only thing they think about is how to increase vertical jump. They
simply disregard that there are some basic but decisive principles that
determine your success and besides the concrete exercises you have to be aware
of:
1. Discipline. You have to work constantly on your jumping ability. Without
discipline you won't reach your goals and will loose your motivation.
2. Motivation. Wanting to dunk is just not enough! Face it: Every basketball
player wants to dunk. You gotta have the right motivation. Dunking the
basketball has to be a real goal for you - and an important one.
3. Workout plan. Write down a concrete workout plan and stick to it. For
example: week one: loosing extra pounds, running, stretching; week two :
Squats/Jumps, Calf Raises/Jumps, Jump Rope aso.
4. Concrete Goals. You must have some concrete goals. For example: Gaining some
inches in your vertical every week. Just check and note your progress. You also
can concentrate on touching the rim with one hand first, then with both hands.
5. Patience. A lot of people think that they can learn to dunk in two weeks or
less. That's rubbish! Just notice the progress you make every week, your
highlights (maybe you already can dunk with a tennis ball?) and the motivation
will last.
P.S. If you take the whole thing seriously you will have serious results!

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