A vertical jump test is a measure of your vertical jump. There are two ways of doing this; the first is a simple test that requires a wall, chalk, a partner/helper and a tape rule.
The second involves using a Vertec, a piece of equipment that can be used for Jump training and measuring your vertical.
To conduct a test based on the first simple, method, do the following:
1) Warm up properly. vertical dividers Stretch and do some light jogging or jumping jacks
2) Stand by the side of the wall and reach up making sure your feet are flat. This is your standing reach height; make sure you mark this point with chalk. Let's call this mark point A.
3) Dip your hand in chalk
4) Stand away from the wall and jump as high as you can off both feet and using your arms to attain maximum height
5) Touch the wall at the peak of your jump, reaching as high as you can
6) Repeat this till you feel fatigue. The highest point reached should be called point B
7) Measure the difference between both points; the standing stationary point and the highest point achieved from your multiple jumps. This should be the difference between point A and B if you have followed the instructions perfectly.
8) Congratulations, you have your vertical jump measurement
To get a more accurate reading however you might need to use a Vertec. There are two types: The stand-alone and the mounted version (the later is mounted on a wall).
The Vertec has a range of 6 - 12 feet and consists of coloured vanes which are half an inch apart. The vanes are easily adjustable and swing on impact.
The following are instructions for measuring vertical jump with a Vertec
1) Get the athlete to stand flat-footed underneath the equipment and reach as high as possible.
2) Adjust the bottom vane so that it makes contact with the athlete's finger tip
3) Get the athlete to jump as high as possible and displace the number of vanes possible
4) The Vertical Jump is measured by dividing the number of vanes displaced by two (each vane is half an inch apart)
The following are tips that can get you as accurate a reading as possible
1) Make sure that when you are measuring your standing reach height that you are flat-footed. It's okay to reach but not to the extent that you stand on your toes
2) Warm up adequately. There's no need to overdo the warm up as this might affect your jump, just make sure that you stretch and break a sweat
3) Try and take off from the same spot all the time. If possible get your assistant to mark the spots where you take off from for references sake
4) Take no more than 6 attempts in getting your maximum height. Any more will tire you out and be of no use.
5) Vertical jump is traditionally measured in inches. Try getting a tape rule that's measured in inches otherwise just convert when you get your figures
6) If you have the resources get a Vertec for a more accurate reading. A Vertec is also useful for improving Vertical Jump
7) Repeat the test three days in a row and get the average