BLUF In this brief review, a mixed-methods approach was advocated for strength and conditioning coaches to use in their practice with basketball players, in order to develop the vertical jump. ABSTRACT The purpose of this brief review was to analyse the potential of resistance training and plyometric interventions independently, and the potential of a mixed-methods approach, to develop vertical jump ability in basketball athletes. The findings of this review were used to make practical recommendations for developing the vertical jump in both youth athletes and advanced athletes. A search of three relevant databases for either experimental studies or reviews, with full text available, and with basketball players the sole subjects, was performed. Plyometric training interventions and resistance training interventions independently can both produce increases in vertical jump height in basketball players, with a greater depth of research existing utilizing plyometric interventions. A mixed-methods approach appears to be capable of producing comparable gains in vertical jump height to the interventions performed independently. For reasons outlined in this review a mixed-methods approach may produce a more rounded athlete and may be more viable for obtaining continued gains in vertical jump height over a multi-year plan. For this reason, a mixed-methods approach has been advocated. This may mean that athletes perform plyometric, strength-power, and heavy strength resistance exercises in the same training session. The focus of each session can still be manipulated using exercise selection and volume. Alternatively, a mix of power focussed, strength-power focussed, and strength focussed exercises may be utilized across different training sessions within the same training cycle. Strength and conditioning coaches may use the findings of this article when devising everything from a multi-year plan, to an individual training session, with the key goal of developing the vertical jump in basketball players.
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