Apparently this exercise was used by Valerie Borzov in his prime, hence the name Borzov Jump. Do you think this exercise could be effective in regards to developing explosiveness out of the blocks and can it be considered a form of plyometrics?
From that link: Note: we have seen quite a few athletes hurt themselves with this exercise.
Could it develop explosiveness? Yes. Is it the safest means of doing so? Probably not.
Just work on mastering the simple things like hill and stair runs, med ball jumps/throws, hops and skips. Simple may not be sexy but it gets the job done.
“Legend has it” Wonder if Borzov ever did it?
If there have been a lot of injuries, why not move on to something safer?
Back to the definition of insanity- doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
It appears that you would need a high level of flexibility in your hips before attempting this, unless warmed up it looks like you’d tear your quadriceps in a second.
As I’ve figured out through my training, even though exercises like this look great, they usually cause more pain than gain in the end.
Back home “Borzov Jumps” and “flea jumps” refer to the same exercise. It is similar to what Tommi Evilä is doing in the second part of this video, we just usually jump straight up and not forward:
the second exercise is the only one in the series I don’t like- the back is curved over. the bounds shown are great.
For some reason one of my old coaches, Mike Agostini (Vancouver 1954 Comm Games 100 yards champion) from Trinidad, got to meet Borzov a few years after Valeriy won the double in Munich 72. Agostini said Borzov demonstrated the “Borzov Hop” but that version did not have the back foot on a ledge. The whole movement was vertical as in this video with vigorous double-arm action. It is definitely in the category of plyometrics. The Borzov Hop I was shown by Agostini used alternating lead thigh/leg, but I’m sure you could come up with any variation you like. We also did “Indian Hops” which were basically little “jump-squats” hamstrings parallel, forwards and backwards with arms straight out in front. They were quad killers. Nasty but relatively safe, esp compared to the single-legged Borzov Hops. Apparently the Indian Hops were a traditional staple in training of the old grapplers (wrestlers). Important of course to brace (contrract) abs and back during any plyo training.
great exercise - used it several years back when i was coaching (for myself) and it made my squat faster
I wouldnt coach anyone on this tho cuz it could mess up a noob- I’m just into crazy drills
Did Mike Agostini ever do any coaching in Australia?
Bump. What about Leo Davis??