Ori-orange
Chase Skinkis-blue
Hey Chase, thanks for taking the time out to do the interview. Please tell us about your background (age, height, and weight, and how you got into jump training? What was your jump like when you started training and what are your standing and running vertical jump heights currently at?
I am 29 years old, living in Las Vegas. I am 6 ft tall and around 190 lbs. I started wanting to jump higher and dunk like most kids because I played basketball. It went a little deeper for me though. I would always lower the rim or dunk on my doorway hoop haha. Literally every day I would dunk on these mini baskets, there's no telling how many nerf hoops I broke. I had the desire to jump higher from the day I started playing, but I took it more seriously around my sophomore year in high school. At that time I started trying to find ways to train my vertical. We did a little lifting and plyometrics with the basketball team, and that year was my first time trying a program (air alert). I had some gains and I also grew and was able to touch the rim for the first time that summer. For the next few years I just did some training with the basketball team and practiced trying to dunk a lot. When I say I practiced trying to dunk, I mean I practiced and did tons of attempts. I must have missed every attempt for more than two years befor efinally landing a dunk after my senior year of basketball. the new few years I mainly just played ball and jumped a lot. I got a little better, landing two handers and 180's, but I began to get injuries from overuse and improper technique, battling things like shin splints. I could no longer dunk at around age 21 years old. That's what got me to really get into training and set me on this path. I started reading studies and getting involved with some of the jumping forums on the net. I would read as much as possible. I bought a few programs and tested out what I was learning. I was having bits of success here and there with different methods through the years. I have kept up with the training, and continue to do so to this day. The little gains have added up to a staggering number, far surpassing my expectations. As far as a total number, it's difficult to say for sure because I started so young. I do know that I have gone from very low 20's in standing/running to a peak of about 48 " running and 38" standing vertical. I am not a guy that peaks everyday, or even most jumps, however I am consistently able to get mid 40's these days on good jumps.
I have seen you mention that there are many jump training myths out there, could you elaborate and give a few examples?
Some examples would be things like: "jump roping", "just jumping", "sit ups", "just squats", "jump soles", "just do plyos", etc. these are all things you hear people recommend to trainees. Most of the people giving this advice are either naturally gifted, or they never actually improved much. There are far more complete and competent methods of improving ones jump.
What does your training currently look like? What are your goals? What are your max lifts, (squat, deadlift, etc)?
This is a great question because these things evolve. I started just wanting to dunk again, and maybe land a windmill or dunk in games as a long term goal. As I passed those, I set bigger goals and eventually reached those too. Things are a little different now that I have a kid and have less time. I want to be the best father I can, so everything else comes after that including the time I have to train. I also have lost some time to work and to coaching. With the new limitations I have had to adjust my training expectations and decide what was most important goal wise. 50" and landing 360 btl dunks were my end goals, but now I have shifted more to maintaining what I have gained and becoming a bit more consistent with my dunks. Things that take less time commitment.
Could you talk about your experience with Project Vertical as well as with Tyler Ray?
My first opportunity do do a dunk show came thanks to Adam with Vertfreak. He and I had talked training a ton and I'd posted some vids on his training site. He brought me to a show with some well known dunkers, Tyler being one of them. From there Tyler and I became friends and he asked that I try out his training methods. I did, and had some solid success. I documented some of that on video and agreed to post some videos for his help. Eventually we met back up for some other events and talked about a possible partnership. As things sometimes do, it didn't really work out timing wise for that to happen. We had different visions and goals, so it was best for me to step away from that opportunity. I want the training program I promote to be based off what I have personally learned and the methods that have been the most successful. As much as I'd like to be successful financial with that, it is far more important for me that the program be centered around client success firstly.
What have you found to be the most beneficial for you in increasing your vertical?
I believe that my rounded approach is the biggest factor. Meaning, making small differences and gains in many aspects has together added up to much larger results. Consistent well rounded training (and recovery) has surely made all the difference for me.
Thanks for taking the time out to answer all these questions Chase!