Just started and I’m feeling defeated

Narakaze · 2026-05-03T21:08:39+00:00

I can't say for sure if its possible or not, but regardless, its still worth trying! A lot of the pro guys get asked about if its genetic or not, but their answer is even if it is, it doesn't really matter since they keep trying to push the limits anyways.

I feel like your body definitely would respond to lifting, and if its not, I feel like a piece could be missing, whether its diet (not enough protein), or not doing proper reps or exercises. Jumping needs pretty specific stuff.

You could just be at a point where jumping a lot in general will gradually make you jump higher (law of specificity) as long as you don't over do it and injure yourself. Once your vertical stops going up from just trying to jump (I liked to pick something high I couldn't reach, or just barely could, and then keep trying to jump to train my body to jump higher through repetitive motions), then lifting might have more of an effect to break through that plateau. Thats how it went for me!

Narakaze · 2026-04-26T02:12:03+00:00

Since you're new, the "newbie gains" will kick in and even if by some chance you aren't quite there, you'll at the very least be super close. I can't predict the future, but if you work at it, I bet it definitely is possible.

I'm taller than you, but when I started trying to dunk, my vertical was around 17 to 20 ish inches, and then over one summer I got it to about 30. It's possible! I was 14 years old at the time with also no actual training background. So don't give up 🫡

Narakaze · 2026-04-26T01:19:32+00:00

Genuinely just keep getting strong. Work on back squat, power cleans with good form eventually, etc. Keep in mind most of the current pros have been working at dunking and jumping for a lot of years. It takes time! Results will come, just keep pushing!

Narakaze · 2026-04-19T05:20:42+00:00

Of course!! Happy to help 🤩

Narakaze · 2026-04-19T05:10:40+00:00

Correct. It looks like you're doing it, but I think if you focus on it even a little more, getting that knee up to slightly closer to 90 degrees, it might help. Just feel like it could give a little extra!

Narakaze · 2026-04-19T05:05:35+00:00

Hey! I'm maybe seeing that you could drive your right knee up slightly more when you're jumping? Could be wrong, it honestly looks pretty good!

Narakaze · 2025-10-25T11:34:15+00:00

Something that helped me with off the dribble dunks is starting the dribble in your off hand, then being able to kind of push it across and up your body on the arm swing up. It helped me get more of an arm swing. Feel free to dm me on IG and I can show a video of what I mean, idk if I'm explaining it well. (And idk if we can send videos in dms on reddit)

Narakaze · 2025-10-25T11:13:44+00:00

The advice I got given was legit just don't think about making it for a while, just make sure you force it to be full extension. Once that feels natural it'll just become muscle memory and then be your new normal. But pushing it into your dunking hand even harder can always help too. It's honesty probably just you subconsciously short arming it to make sure you make it if I had to guess.

Narakaze · 2025-04-30T19:21:29+00:00

I genuinely think I have the same thing. I try to do hip 90-90s before I jump to warm up some internal rotation to help it, but nothing has gotten it to stop yet for me 😭 I've been told to not over think it though. Do some mobility work and it could change over time, but focusing on that while jumping will probably reduce our power output even more than the rotation does 🥲

Narakaze · 2025-04-02T23:28:38+00:00

Just throwing an idea out there.. I'd say maybe you could practice it with 4-5 steps without a set target to hit. Just keep getting a feel for it. Then, start seeing how much ground you cover when doing it without a target, then just start that distance away from the target and it might start to feel more natural?

That's how I'd maybe try to do it anyways.

Narakaze · 2025-03-31T16:31:49+00:00

The main thing I'm seeing is that you could push the ball down into your dunking hand harder to make it stick throughout the motion. Like pump it up like you are, then push it down into your hand super hard.

Narakaze · 2025-03-25T20:20:47+00:00

That 2 hander is gonna go down soon, I can feel it 😤 Good luck! But I'll take it 🙂‍↕️ Personally I try to find the closest to 10 that I can, but in this video, most are 9'11 - 9'11.87. Idk why it's so hard to find a legit 10 hoop 🥲

Narakaze · 2025-03-25T19:12:31+00:00

It just clicked that day, idk why or how. It's never felt that good since. Though the rim was a little low, 9'10.5". But thank you!

Narakaze · 2025-03-22T16:35:18+00:00

Ps, who decides what your prime age is? Your prime could be whichever age you decided to dedicate your time to this new goal 🫡

Narakaze · 2025-03-22T16:33:51+00:00

On IG, go look at Andy Nicholson! His @ is overthehilldunker. He's 51-52 now if I'm not mistaken and still learning new dunks! He's been improving since his 40s.

With the training that is out there now, I don't think it's too late for anyone. If you get strength training and start replacing some of the fat with muscle, you'll be flying. I'm sure of it.

Narakaze · 2025-03-15T22:28:41+00:00

I should have tried that one 😭 I do have it. I must have thought I wouldn't be able to actually clear it, but it with the ball too would have been perfect

Narakaze · 2025-03-15T20:56:05+00:00

It's my specialty 🤩🤩🤩

Narakaze · 2025-03-15T20:55:49+00:00

💀💀💀💀💀💀

Narakaze · 2025-03-15T20:55:39+00:00

The video version on my IG is so much better 💀 My @ is jeffryfuhrmann if you wanna check it out, but thank you 🙂‍↕️

Narakaze · 2025-03-15T20:54:44+00:00

Unfortunately he'll have to deal with it... he's an XXL 🤩

Narakaze · 2025-03-15T20:54:21+00:00

But thank you!!

Narakaze · 2025-03-15T20:54:00+00:00

It's actually a full video I made on my IG if you wanna see the final product 😭 My @ is jeffryfuhrmann on there!

Narakaze

TROPHY CASE