What is the main characteristic of non-countermovement jumps?

Non-countermovement jumps are defined primarily by the absence of a preparatory downward motion, which is typical in other jumping techniques. This type of jump is executed by moving directly from a static position into a vertical leap without performing any preceding lengthening or eccentric phase.

In this jump, the athlete does not engage in a downward crouch or dip before taking off, which differentiates it from other jump types like counter-movement jumps that utilize an initial downward action to generate momentum. The focus here is purely on the explosive upward drive from a static state, which significantly impacts how these jumps are trained and their applications in various athletic contexts.

This characteristic also influences how strength and explosive power are developed in training regimes, as athletes must utilize their strength to initiate the jump from a resting position without the benefits of elastic energy that can come from a preparatory movement.