Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
2. How does the SkyMeter help athletes jump higher?
3. How will the SkyMeter help build confidence?
4. What if I can reach above the rim, will the SkyMeter still work for me?
5. How do I mark the height on the SkyMeter?
6. How do I use the SkyMeter in practice or on my own?
7. How do I hang the SkyMeter?
8. Can I adjust the height of the SkyMeter on the basketball rim?
1. Why use the SkyMeter?
Quickness, explosiveness, a great jumping and leaping ability, and good footwork… they’re attributes that are all tied together and that everyone wants to see in an athlete. Whether it’s volleyball, basketball, track or any athletic sport, working on and improving your vertical jump is not just a great way to improve your skills on the court, but it’s also a great way to improve your athletic ability. The SkyMeter is a coaching tool designed to help coaches and athletes measure and improve their vertical jump by using the simple idea that once an athlete knows how high they can jump, they’ll instinctively want to better that jump next time, and through repetitive jumping and other plyometric exercises, an athlete will improve their vertical jump and overall athletic ability.
2. How does the SkyMeter help athletes jump higher?
As a volleyball coach working with young athletes, one of the greatest challenges was to get my players to jump… I mean, not just run up to the net, stop and hop, but to really JUMP, LEAP, and EXPLODE from the ground and into the air to spike the ball. Typical running and jumping exercises helped, but I needed something to SHOW my players what they were trying to achieve and how to get there. When I first hung the SkyMeter from the rim, my players looked at me with skepticism and asked, “What’s that thing for?” When I told them that it’s a way to measure your vertical jump and then showed them how it works, their competitive nature came out. Not only did they try their hardest to better their own attempts, but of course they wanted to be the best on their team as well. Knowing their vertical jump height gave them something to work for throughout the season as I monitored and encouraged their progress.
3. How will the SkyMeter help build confidence?
Showing my players their vertical jump height did not just improve their athleticism, but it boosted their CONFIDENCE in their own abilities as well. For volleyball, a player could see that when they had a 7 foot high standing reach combined with an 18 inch vertical jump, they would have a vertical reach of 8’6”. With the volleyball net height being 7'4" they then realized that they could clearly attack the ball without fear of hitting into the net. For basketball, a player will know how high they can get up for a jump ball or to block or alter a shot. They'll also have the confidence to know that they've worked on their jumping and explosiveness, and will be one step quicker than their opponents.
4. What if I can reach above the rim, will the SkyMeter still work for me?
Even if you can get above the rim, you can still use the SkyMeter to measure your vertical jump. Use the SkyMeter to measure your standing reach, then as you jump above the 10 foot mark, "feel" the distance that you get over the mark. For example, if your standing reach is at the 8 foot mark and you can jump to the point where your palm touches the 10 foot mark, measure the distance from your finger tip to your palm (8 inches for example), and add it to the difference between the 10 foot mark and your standing reach. For this case a persons vertical would be 32 inches (10 feet - 8 feet = 24 inches, + 8 inches = 32 inches).
5. How do I mark the height on the SkyMeter?
What makes the SkyMeter so simple to use is that you don't need anything to mark your height. You can either have a partner or coach spot the height for you, or better yet, you can reach and see the height on your own. Reading your own height as you jump helps build hand eye coordination, and also helps you visualize your goal and reach higher with each attempt.
6. How do I use the SkyMeter in practice or on my own?
The SkyMeter includes drills, instructions, and record sheets for tracking and improving your vertical jump. For more information, see the SkyMeter Drills link.
7. How do I hang the SkyMeter?
The SkyMeter is designed to be installed with a broomstick, something that you’ll find in almost every gym or home. There's no need to climb on a ladder or chair. Simply hang the SkyMeter off of the end of the broomstick, then while holding the tape taught against the length of the broomstick, raise the SkyMeter and hook it it over the front of the rim. For more information, see the Using the SkyMeter link.
8. Can I adjust the height of the SkyMeter on the basketball rim?
The SkyMeter is designed to be hung from a standard 10-foot tall basketball rim. However, since some basketball rims may vary in height by a few inches, you can adjust the height of the SkyMeter by positioning the tape higher or lower on the hangar with the velcro backing. After hanging the SkyMeter from the rim, you can confirm the accuracy of the height by measuring from the floor to the 6ft mark with a tape measure.
9. Some Testimonials...
"The SkyMeter was easy to use in practice. My girls liked using it more than the Vertec because it was easy for them to read their height and they didn't have to worry about hitting the plastic arms."
- Ryan Cooling
City Beach Volleyball Club Head Coach & Director
Menlo School Volleyball Head Coach
"The SkyMeter is an ingenious coaching aid that is practical, convenient, and affordable for all teams and coaches. I use it during tryouts to help evaluate players and then throughout the season to help increase their vertical jump and reach."
- Dave Huan
Palo Alto High School Volleyball Head Coach
Peninsula Juniors Volleyball Club Head Coach