Switch Leg Leaps - Plyometrics
In this lesson you will learn how to do switch-leg leaps. You can do this exercise on a box or any platform
between one foot and knee height. The switch-leg leap is designed to develop reactive strength for one
legged jumps. A lot of wushu athletes use this technique
to develop jumping strength
for the basic jumps. However, I have also seen short-distance runners do this exercise. Find more plyometric leg exercises at track & field
main.
Description: Switch Leg Leaps - Plyometrics
- Start with on leg on the box and the other one
on the floor. The arms hang down relaxed by the sides. Keep your upper body upright or lean forward slightly and keep your
core tight. Don't hollow your back.
- Then jump straight
up with the strength of the front leg - here the left leg. Close
your legs and extend both knees. You can swing your arms a little bit, but try not to create too much
momentum. The strength comes from the left leg (quadriceps).
The upper
body should remain quite stiff.
- Switch legs
in the air (that's why this exercise is called switch-leg leap) and land with the right leg on the box. When you jump from the left leg, you land on the right leg and
the other way around. Bend the right leg and extend the left leg. The ball of the left foot touches the floor.
- Jump up again before
the left heel touches the floor. (only the ball of the foot touches the floor) Now the strength comes from the right leg. The left foot touches the floor, but doesn't contribute much to
the jump.
- Catapult yourself up again, close your legs, then
switch legs and plant your left foot on the box. Don't forget to keep your upper body tight and always
jump with the strength of the leg that's on the box. This is about pushing your head up in the air and not about switching
legs fast. Keep the contact to the box short and to the floor even shorter.
Trainer advice: Switch Leg Leaps - Plyometrics
- Do 2 or 3 sets of 20 to 50 repetitions and stretch
your quadriceps between sets.
- Warm up your knees and your ankles before you
do switch-leg leaps.
- By changing the height of the box, you can develop
reactive strength at a different position.
- This exercise is very good for one legged
jumps like the flying
wushu frontkick and the whirlwind
kick.
Related instructions: Switch Leg Leaps - Plyometrics
Videos: Switch Leg Leaps - Plyometrics
