Dunking Seems Miles Away

Well, I’m still at it. If you read this blog regularly, you might recall that I set a crazy goal right after my 59th birthday, back in February, to dunk the basketball by my 60th. I have 6 months left…

Plan-Goal

And it isn’t going well.

What I Forgot…

I guess I neglected to consider that after 40-something you begin to lose your quick-twitch muscles, which is a “must” for explosive jumping. You also lose any kind of glute power and your hamstrings begin to atrophy. All bad trends if vertical leap is the goal.

So, my miscalculation is now apparent.

So what should I do? Quit? Keep going? Change the routine? Set a more realistic goal?

Not sure…but here’s my thinking. I would love your input.

1. This goal is really cool to me. It’s measurable. It’s weird, I can tell when I reveal the goal to people and they say, “Well, there you go,” as if I’m a little child again, I know I’m on to something special. It’s just that they can’t fathom it…or appreciate it. And it’s a huge stretch. All good characteristics for a goal.

2. I’ve hit a plateau. We all hit plateaus, don’t we? Whether it’s income, fitness, diet, customer acquisition, or business planning there comes a time when we level off. Our life is never a straight line up and to the right. Never. Setbacks. Injuries. Lack of motivation. All killers.

3. Take feedback from the Universe.  As a coach, I’m always counseling people to use Universal feedback as a learning point. If the customer isn’t buying from you, sure, you can blame them. That’s easy. But it isn’t helpful if you’re to improve your results. There must be something you’re doing that isn’t right. That’s the case with my mission. Perhaps my routine isn’t proper. Perhaps I’m just not working hard enough. Perhaps I haven’t given it a fair chance to work yet.

4. Plenty of side benefits. My legs are getting stronger. I am jumping better. I feel more stable and agile on my feet. My knee pain is gone. So even if I don’t make it, physically, I will have improved myself. “Reach for the stars and you might get the moon.”

5. OK….I just talked myself into continuing.  Thanks for listening. Why would I quit? What kind of a performance coach would I be if I just gave up? Plus, once one gives up on certain goals, I believe your mind allows you to give up on others. Not a good trend.

Well, thanks for listening. I’m re-engaged with this goal. I’ll Keep working at it and take another month and see if my vertical improves. If it does, I’ll keep doing it and If it doesn’t, I’ll rework the routine.

Thanks…I feel better. Onward and “upward!”

12 replies
  1. Frank
    Frank says:

    Hey Bill,

    Well done for sticking with the goal.
    I had set a similar goal of being able to do 10 chin ups by Christmas. So far I can do 3 so it isn’t going great either!
    what helps a lot with the motivation is the assisted chin up machine in the gym. It basically lets me add some counter weights so reaching 10 is easier. So to reach my goal, all I have to do now is gradually reduce the counter weights to get to 10 chin ups with zero support.

    maybe something similar might help with the dunk? is it silly to suggest a mini trampoline? Do they come in different ‘bouncinesses’ so you can gradually reduce your support? or is there a way to lower the hoop and then gradually increase it to regulation height?

    Just some thoughts. Just like running a marathon isn’t a case of starting to run 40 km and then do it faster and faster, but rather beginning with 1km and adding a km every week….

    Good luck!

    Frank

  2. Debi Giles
    Debi Giles says:

    Hey Bill,
    Yes getting older can be too much reality. As you know I water ski from April until October, and have since I was 17 (learned to ski at 7). I feel I do very well for a 61 year old however my mind still wants me to ski like I was 19.
    The reality of slalom skiing is to go on a course, which I did last week for the first time since 2103.
    Did not do as well as anticipated however going out to the course again tomorrow to get the timing skills honed in.
    Best to you with your goals and I’ll let you know how tomorrow plays out.
    Best,
    Debi

    • Bill Caskey
      Bill Caskey says:

      Thanks Debi…always good to hear from you. Yes, keep the athleticism…keep working on it. I will, too. -BC

  3. Chris Poch
    Chris Poch says:

    Bill,

    I love what you and Bryan do. Thanks

    I am sure you will get there, however, if in 6 months you still can’t dunk, lower the rim. 🙂

    Remember, the older you get, the better you were.

    Chris

    • Bill Caskey
      Bill Caskey says:

      Chris, very clever. Yes, come to think of it, I was pretty good. I like that approach 🙂 -BC

  4. Rick McKeldin
    Rick McKeldin says:

    Nice Bill!! Keep going man. Not sure if there’s anyone to model for this goal, but keep digging around and find someone who did this or similar…

  5. Don May
    Don May says:

    Well done Bill.

    An old coach of mine told me in basketball if you aim at the rim the ball will just clang off. You have to play above the rim to give the ball a chance to go in.

    Keep playing above the rim.

    D

    • Bill Caskey
      Bill Caskey says:

      Ha! Above the rim?! Are you serious? 🙂 My goal right now is to “get to the rim.” Playing above it comes later. Thanks for encouragement….-BC

  6. Dan
    Dan says:

    Love this. Have you heard of the Air Alert program? I did this about 10 years ago. Sponsored by Baron Davis. Guaranteed to increase your vert by 8-10″… if you finish. I didn’t finish but increased my vertical a good 4 inches in 3 weeks. It’s intense but it works. Just watch out for jumper’s knee. It gave me a horrible case of it as I think I went a bit overboard. See the following for prevention tips.
    http://www.coreperformance.com/knowledge/injury-pain/jumpers-knee.html

    • Bill Caskey
      Bill Caskey says:

      Thanks Dan…I bought the book, Air Alert. I can see how it would cause knee problems if too aggressive. I will put it into my tool box….thanks for note!! -BC

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