Q&A for How to Dunk

Start on a lower hoop and practice on that, just to get the feel of dunking. Jump height is one thing, but you would be surprised at the number of people that find it hard just to slam the ball into the basket, even if they are high enough. Make sure the hoop is high enough for you to only touch the rim. Different jumping styles and distances from the basket can change your vertical drastically and could be the difference between a rim-block and a slam. Keep progressing and eventually you will see results. Good luck!

Running up and down on stairs exercises your leg muscle and flexibility. This will help make your dunks more effective. It will also help improve your endurance.

Running stairs helps you build strength and stamina to help you jump higher.

Exercises such as simple calf raises (200 - 300) will help, especially if you add weight to increase the difficulty. Jump squats with weight will also increase leg strength.

You can do leg-strengthening exercises such as calf raises or squats to help improve your vertical leap.

Many players with smaller hands can palm the ball. Basic exercises such as finger tip push ups or using hand strengtheners increase a player's ability to grip the ball.

That's called your backswing. It could be one of the most vital parts to an effective jump. If you have a weak backswing, you won't jump very high. The stronger the backswing, the better the jump.

Use weights on your ankles to strengthen your legs and maintain a lightweight body which will make it easier to jump. Then continue practicing the steps to learn how to dunk.

You may not be able to make yourself grow taller, though that shouldn't stop you from dunking. Nate Robinson is 5'9" and he won 3 dunk contests. However, you can check out this article: How to Grow Taller .

Try 200 to 300 calf raises, adding weight for difficulty. Also, jump squats, 50 to 100, adding weight for difficulty here as well.

Focus on building muscles in your legs and add some plyometric training to your routine. Slowly work your way up to dunking.

You could do jumping exercises to increase your lift. But you might want to consider that dunking may not be your strong suit -- maybe you're better at some other aspect of the game and should impress them with THAT instead.

Yes, The earlier you start the better. I started dunking at the age of 15. It just takes time and practice.

Yes, start on an adjustable hoop so you can get the feel for it and slowly rise it up to the appropriate height.

There is no real height for basketball. No matter how tall you are you can still play.

Do lots of calf raises and frog jumps, and spend time running. With hard work and dedication, soon you'll be jumping higher.

Look online. Sports retail sites such as Dick's Sporting Goods and Sports Authority should have some non-regulation balls.

Stretching. Try to stretch after workouts every day.

It is easier to dunk with one hand since your arm will be able to reach its maximum span. It is also easier to dunk with one hand if you can "palm" the basketball (hold it with one hand with your palm facing downward).

There are dunkers out there that are 5'5 so I'm sure you'll be able to. I'm 6'2 and 155lbs and I'm able to dunk pretty easily.

Train your vertical jump, work out, buy comfortable shoes, and don't give up.

Yes, but you will struggle with it a lot more since you won't be able to jump as high as you would otherwise. I would suggest focusing on losing weight before you learn how to dunk.

If you are really short, you may have to give up on the dream of the dunk. However, you could get really good at other shots.

Deadlifting helps with your vertical a lot.

There is no real height requirement for dunking at a certain height. If you're not overly tall you need to work hard on your jumping ability.

Anyone can dunk if they work for it.

No, you have to reach about 6 inches above the rim in order to dunk.

Do the workouts listed above, such as squats, calf raises and wall sits.

Just get used to jumping up with the ball and keep trying to bring the ball down on the rim, you will find your rhythm.

Yes, I use ankle weights and run up and down stairs for part of my training; I find it really helps with building a explosive gather.