Demetrius Mitchell: Genetics?

[zoo4life]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pUdgjWWfcro

I'm just wondering if you guys think that type of a vertical leap is achievable through training. This man is a genetic FREAK. Demetrius Hook Mitchell is 5'9, 200 lbs, and claims to have a 50" vertical. The first few clips are of him in jail after 5-10 years at around 35 years of age.

My question is, if a guy were to train smart and hard, is that type of vertical possible for the average joe? I'm especially confused at his jumping style. He seems to jump off two feet, which would probably signify a huge squat. Opinions, comments?

[HenryHill]

For most people, a 50 inch vertical simply is not achievable naturally. This is like saying a 550 pound bench press is possible for everybody to do if they work hard enough and have the best diet possible. It simply isn't going to happen for most people. I know I'll never have even a 40" vertical, but I think a 35" is possible for me. I'm probably in the 25-28 range right now, but I'm more concerned with gaining strength and muscle right now. About 3 or 4 months or so before football I'll really focus on speed/jumping ability.

[DangerDan]

damn!

No, it's not possible for most people at all. Sorry.

I literally think it's genetically impossible for me to jump a 35 inch vert. Some of us are just more blessed.

[NorthBay]

ive meet hook he never really trained for his vert he said he just always had bounce n kept practicing dunking which got it up more. i wont say u cant but getting a legit 50 inch vert is almost impossible if u didnt already get it naturally. dude is maybe the greatest street baller ever

[happygolucky2443]

He doesnt have a 50" vert.

It is extremely possible for the average joe to be able to jump very high. Maybe not as good as Hook, but with serious training, one can really get up there. If you squat and deadlift a ton, then do plyos, and work on form throughout, then you will have a massive vert.

Definitely do not let your genetics limit yourself. I have terrible genetics; neither parents were athletes. But I have been working and I can job higher than everyone in school except one other.

[flight_90]

i hope u guys are talking about his running... no way hes got a 50" standing vertical....


and it is definitly possible to get a high vertical you just gotta train look at kelly begget he had a 23 and went up to 42... standing... (creator of vertical jump bible) anyways hook did train... I've read some stuff about him how they use to run uphills jump over cars and squat... back in oakland, ca

[mesayseo]

i dont think his vert is really 50 inches its probably in the 40 range which is still insane. those dunks arent straight verticles but still at 5'9 thats crazy.

to answer the ? i think genetics do limit you but you'll never know what your capable of until you've trained as hard as you really possibly can. genetics do set the ceiling of your potential.

[coolness]

I don't think that there is a "genetic limit" to what humans can do. True, most likely the average Joe WON'T get up to a "super good" lift, but that's becuase they havn't trained hard enough or long enough. People that when they are 8 that are 6 foot and bench press 215 pounds and can squat 300 or 350 CLEARLY have a genetic advantage, and will problably go and lift alot if they train hard enough. However, if you workout hard from 10 years of age to 60 years of age, then it's possible for the "average joe" to reach INCREDIBLE lifts, such as 650 pound bench presses, and 900 pound squats. It STILL takes a great deal of time and work, and genetically gifted people DO have and advantage, as some can heal better and work harder, without losing results or overtraining, but non-one is limeted to what they can do, and how much they can lift.

[doubledee]

when i was watching that video i thought to myself, that dude is getting up pretty high but not that high, then i re-read your post i realized that he was 5'9 and i thought to myself... OH MYLANTA!! THOSE ARE SOME SERIOUS BOOSTIES!!

anyways... it is not likely that your average white boy can achieve hops like that, but like the previous poster said, you gotta work long and hard to know what your absolute true limit is...

[NorthBay]

well the dude can jump over ford mustangs and dunk with ease. he shud be in the nba if it wasnt that armed robbery. simply dudes a genectic freak and he worked hard but he didnt just lift for vert he played basketball. when it comes down to it hes not just a dunker dude plays BASKETBALL. jumping that high doesnt make you good

[shakazulu12]

I think some people are genetically predisposed to being able to attain more, but with enough work, I'm sure lots of people could come close though. Not saying its easy, but my freshman year I had a 12 inch vertical leap, I was ridiculed in gym class for it. I never really played basketball (soccer up until then). By sophomore year I was dunking at 5'6" and by the time I was 5'11" I could get my head to the rim.

I never lifted a weight until knee injuries popped up.

I did howeve play six hours a day, pretty much no matter what. And made it a point to go max effort every single time I jumped in the air. After enough time, it was kind of automatic and I didn't even really have to think about putting that much force into my legs to jump, it was just kind of an automatic thing.

After knee injuries I started with weights, and came back jumping higher after each of the first three surgeries and likely could still jump that high if I didn't quit playing ball and lifting for a couple years.

I'm from Oregon, and when I was playing ball was the same time Freddie Jones was playing here in high school. He was chubby and never went near the weights (still doesn't from what I hear) and always could out-jump everyone. He did however play ball NONSTOP, I think he was giving himself a plyometric workout everytime he stepped on the court like that.