How to Improve Elasticity?

Elasticity (or elastic power) describes the ability of your lower-limb muscles and tendons to store and release elastic energy during explosive movements. This quality underpins actions such as jumping, bounding, and quick changes of direction.

Elastic power is expressed most effectively when movements happen rapidly. Training, therefore, emphasizes eccentric absorption and fast elastic exercises that improve the efficiency of the stretch-shortening cycle, the transition between the lengthening and shortening phases of the muscle–tendon unit. This enhances your ability to use stored elastic energy for powerful, reactive movements.

Loading of elastic systems during a jump

In Phase 1, we focus on developing strength capacity and eccentric force absorption, creating the foundation required to safely handle higher forces. In Phase 2, we transition toward fast elastic exercises, emphasizing quick and powerful movements to maximize elastic energy return.

Phase 1

  • Goal phase 1: Strength capacity + absorbing capacity
  • Focus: Lower-limb strength + Braking power
  • Duration: 2x/week, 4-6 weeks till next phase

Mobility warm-up

Warm-up 1 - Ankle mobility

Exercises
Prescription

3 sets 5 reps 5 sec hold

Push your knee a bit with your hand.

Exercise type

warm-up 2 - Posterior chain flexibility

Exercises
Prescription

3 x 8 reps (both sides) – Rest 15 sec 

Hold your back in a neutral position while extending your leg to feel a stretch in the hamstrings.

Exercise type

Warm-up 3 - Plyo drill

Exercises
Prescription

4 x 15 sec – Rest 15 sec

Keep your feet quick and your upper body steady.

Exercise type

Exercises

Exercise 1 - Braking Power

Exercises
Prescription

3 set 8 reps – Rest 45 sec

Drop quickly down.

Exercise type

Exercise 2 - Explosive / Max Strength (Squat)

Exercises
Prescription

3 set 10 reps – Rest 45 sec

Explosive up and down

Exercise type

Exercise 3 - Explosive / Max Strength (Hinge)

Exercises
Prescription

3 set 10 reps – Rest 45 sec

Exercise type

Phase 2

  • Goal phase 2: Elasticity
  • Focus: Plyometric warm-up + Plyometric Power
  • Duration: 2x/week, 2-4 weeks
     

Mobility warm-up

Warm-up 1 - Ankle mobility

Exercises
Prescription

3 sets 5 reps 5 sec hold

Push your knee a bit with your hand.

Exercise type

warm-up 2 - Posterior chain flexibility

Exercises
Prescription

3 x 8 reps (both sides) – Rest 15 sec 

Hold your back in a neutral position while extending your leg to feel a stretch in the hamstrings.

Exercise type

Warm-up 3 - Plyo drill

Exercises
Prescription

4 x 15 sec – Rest 15 sec

Keep your feet quick and your upper body steady.

Exercise type

Exercises

Exercise 1 - Plyometric Power

Exercises
Prescription

3 sets 10 reps – Rest 1 min

Jump as high as possible with a short contact.

Exercise type

Exercise 2 - Elastic Power

Exercises
Prescription

3 sets 5 reps – Rest 1 min

Jump as high and quickly as possible.

Exercise type

Exercise 3 - Elastic Power (repeated)

Exercises
Prescription

3 set 12 reps – Rest 1 min

Exercise type