plyometric training - series of explosive exercises to improve the speed that the muscles shorten. eg hopping, jumping, press ups with clap. eg sprinters but also netball + basketball players. if a rubber band was stretched before it was fired, it travels further. muscles also. takes the muscles through an eccentric ( lengthening) contraction, before concentric. The eccentric contraction stores elastic energy which is released to create a powerful concentric contraction. Neuromuscular system recruits more motor units and initiates stretch reflex. increases explosive strength, risk of injury is high, experienced performers only