How to Perform a Vertical Leap Test
A vertical leap test is used to measure the height of your vertical jump. There are several methods for testing vertical jumps. One of the most common and popular test is the Sargent Jump test which was named after Dudley Sargent who was a great figure in the history of American physical education. The height achieved in this vertical leap test depends on how much you bend your knees prior to jumping. Wear light and comfortable clothing while taking the test to ensure best results.What You’ll Need?
- Measuring tape
- Chalk
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The Procedure
Do the following steps in the mentioned order to conduct the Sargent vertical leap test.
- Stand close to a wall, facing it, with your feet flat on the ground.
- Raise one of your hands up while keeping it close to the wall and try to touch the wall at the highest point while keeping the feet flat.
- Mark this point on the wall with the help of a chalk as your ‘standing reach height’.
- Now, take one step backwards away from the wall and prepare for a vertical jump.
- Use both your arms and legs to jump as high as possible.
- When in mid-air, mark the new topmost point on the wall with the chalk again.
- Repeat this jumping at least 3 times and choose the highest mark.
- Now subtract the previous standing reach height mark from the highest point reached to determine your vertical leap.
Possible Variations
In order to perform the vertical leap test, special equipment can be used. Some examples of the variations are as follows:
- Vertec is a common apparatus used for calculating a person’s vertical leap. It consists of a steel frame which has horizontal vanes that rotate when the hand touches them.
- A jump mat is another method in which the height of the jump is determined by measuring the displacement of the hips. In order to make sure this test works well, you have to return to the mat with fully extended legs.
- A timing mat can also be used for a similar purpose. An electronic mat is used here which calculates the height of the vertical leap by calculating the time the mat is free from weight i.e. when your feet are in the air.
- A squat jump and isolating the legs while jumping are other variations that can be used while testing your vertical leap.
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Scoring System
The score can be further used to evaluate the level of your jump, as the vertical leap test provides the result in inches. The following table is a average of jump heights across a large range of people. It may not be as accurate as an individual test but it gives you a basic idea.
| Rating | Males (inches) |
Males (cm) |
Females (inches) |
Females (cm) |
| Excellent | > 28 | > 70 | > 24 | > 60 |
| Very Good | 24 – 28 | 61 – 70 | 20 – 24 | 51 – 60 |
| Above Average | 20 – 24 | 51 – 60 | 16 – 20 | 41 – 50 |
| Average | 16 – 20 | 41 – 50 | 12 – 16 | 31 – 40 |
| Below Average | 12 – 16 | 31 – 40 | 8 – 12 | 21 – 30 |
| Poor | 8 – 12 | 21 – 30 | 4 – 8 | 11 – 20 |
| Very poor | < 8 | < 21 | < 4 | < 11 |
On a final note, every time the test is taken, make sure to put forth your best effort in your jump, as this will gauge your true progress.
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