A few times a year, my coach will have my training group perform some jump testing. The exercises are performed from a 6 step approach and include 4 hops (each leg is tested), 2 hops-2 steps, 4 steps and occasionally 3 hops-1 step. It is tough to gauge what the distances mean on their own, but it is definitely a good way to see how we’re looking compared to previous seasons or previous tests in the same season.

So with all that said, we did some testing yesterday (just in my trainers) and my goal was to meet or exceed my personal bests, the majority of which were set last April with spikes on. Needless to say, I didn’t hit those marks so as you can imagine I was pretty disappointed. On top of that, some of my marks were even less than the testing we did last November. I eventually got to thinking though and with the help of my training partners, was able to see how much of a success the results really represent. We happen to be in the 3rd week of a new, more intense training phase including workouts that I probably wouldn’t even imagine doing last November, let alone in April when we were tapering off a bit.  Additionally, after a heavy lift Monday and intense sled/hill workout Tuesday I can honestly say that my test results from yesterday no longer disappoint me as they initially did.

I realize that the goal at this point in my training is to be stronger than I’ve ever been, both in and outside of the weight room and I certainly feel as if I’m approaching, if not at that level. So as my coach said, this testing is simply to set a baseline for future testing this season and should be compared to last year. Since this is a new year, with new training that has my body feeling almost entirely new…I can dig that. I posted the results below so you can keep track of my progression with me. Let’s just say that next time I will most certainly be comparing the test results to last April’s, in addition to yesterday’s of course. Now, about the number 27…

I’ll admit a couple of things right off the bat. I am NOT a baseball fan and I am NOT from New  York City.  With that out of the way, I AM from New York STATE, which, as most people forget, the City is a part of. On top of that, I root for NY sports teams through thick and thin which includes the Knicks who are 1 and 4 this season and the Giants who have lost 3 in a row (I have faith that both of those teams will get it together, the latter more likely than the former). So for all my Yankee fans, go ahead and play that “Empire State of Mind,” “New York New York,” or “New York State of Mind,” which ever suits your fancy because as I count…last night marked our TWENTY-SEVENTH championship.

November ’09 Jump Test Results