Jump Squats Jump squats help you develop the explosive leg strength your legs need for high jumps. You can do jump squats with your bodyweight by squatting down and immediately jumping as high as you can. To make the exercise harder, hold dumbbells or use a barbell on your back. Pistol Squats Stand on one leg with your opposite leg outstretched in front of you. Squat as low as you can without losing your balance and push back to the starting position. You can make pistol squats harder by holding a dumbbell or weight-plate. Drop Jumps Stand on a box 2-4 feet tall (start on the lower end if you’re new to drop jumps). Step off the box and land with flat feet with as little knee bend as you can manage. Perform up to 40 reps in a session. Drop jumps are very stressful on your body so start with few reps and increase the number by 5-10% per week. High Jumps The best way to prep your body for a high jump is to practice heights similar to the one you want to attempt. Start with low jumps and build up the height as you become better trained.