09/16/2026
This plyometric exercise prepares the athlete to efficiently absorb, change direction and produce force in all directions. The 8 vector system, created by JordanNieuwsma and Nick DiMarco from Elon University, is broken down into vectors at 0°, 45°, 90° and 135°. Change of direction is present in almost every sport. An athlete being incompetent at changing direction increases their risk for non-contact injuries, as the body is not prepped to be able to redirect themselves when transferring high amounts of force.
This drill teaches the athlete coordination and the ability to absorb and transmit energy in all directions. Athletes must also be conscious during this drill as to the direction they are jumping, with what foot, then the next jump they must make.
In doing so, they begin to coordinate their movements of alternating between 1 and 2 foot landings, while changing directions with each jump. This challenges the athlete to adapt to multidirectional plyometrics, creating new stimulus for athletes to improve their force capabilities beyond plyometrics that occur in a straight line, which become redundant if done for months on end.
One important cue is on the return hop, to land with both feet simultaneously, athletes tend to want to do a low hop to return, emphasize the importance of clearing an imaginary hurdle on their jumps, both outward and on the return This will also help to keep the shoulders level, which helps with balance and controlling one’s center of gravity.
