This was a special one — I (Dylan Haugen) was in Wisconsin visiting Hunter Castona for Dunk Camp, and we decided to do an in-person live Q&A episode right from Hunter’s place. We went live on YouTube and took questions directly from whoever showed up, covering everything from training and shoes to one-foot dunking and bodyweight. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest topics we hit.
Can We Dunk Off One Foot?
This was one of the first questions, and we both gave honest answers. I can dunk off one foot, but I’m very inconsistent with it — some days I’ll be punching one-handers easily, and the next day I can barely touch rim. It’s just a reps thing and I don’t practice it enough. Hunter started out jumping off one foot when he first got his dunk, then shifted to two-foot to work on more advanced dunks. He gets spurts where he’ll hit Eastbays and windmills off one foot, but then knee pain shows up and he has to back off. It’s something we both want to develop more but have to be smart about.
Ideal Bodyweight for Jumping
Someone asked about what bodyweight is best for vertical jump, and this was a good discussion. I’ve found that I personally jump really well around 160 pounds. Getting up to 168 is fun because I’m a lot stronger, but I definitely jump higher at the lower weight. It’s a tradeoff that every dunker has to figure out for themselves — being heavier means more force production in the weight room, but being lighter usually means a better power-to-weight ratio when you’re actually trying to get up. There’s a sweet spot for everyone and the only way to find it is to pay attention to how you feel at different weights over time.
Best Shoes for Dunking
This is always a popular question. The two pairs I’ve been rotating the most are the Wade All City 12s and the Wade 10s. The Wade 10s have carbon fiber on the bottom and feel amazing to jump in — technically they have way better tech. But I’ve actually been jumping better in the All City 12s recently, and I’m not even sure why. Hunter prefers the Wade 10s, mostly because he’s been using them longer. We both agreed that either shoe is a great option for dunkers who want a responsive, supportive shoe that’s built for explosive movement.
Training, Programming, and Recovery
A big chunk of the questions focused on training specifics — how often to train, when to deload, how to balance strength work with plyometrics, and how to know when a program is actually working. We answered everything from personal experience rather than just repeating textbook answers. We also talked about the role of nutrition and sleep in vertical jump development. These are two areas that a lot of dunkers underestimate, and both Hunter and I have seen real performance improvements from getting more intentional about our recovery habits. It’s not the exciting part of dunking, but it’s the part that determines whether your training actually sticks.
Technique and One-Foot vs. Two-Foot
Several people asked about approach angles, arm swing mechanics, and how to figure out whether you should focus on one-foot or two-foot jumping. We broke these down with specific cues and drills that you can implement right away. The one-foot versus two-foot discussion got particularly detailed because we both have experience with each style. Our general advice is to figure out what feels natural first, build that foundation, and then expand from there. Trying to be great at both before you’re solid at one will just slow your progress.
The Mental Side of Dunking
Questions about the mental game came up a lot. How do you handle fear when attempting a new dunk? How do you stay motivated when progress feels slow? How do you perform when nerves are high? We shared our own strategies for managing those psychological challenges. The biggest thing for both of us is just trusting the process and not letting a bad session convince you that you’ve regressed. Progress in dunking is never linear, and accepting that makes the mental side way easier to handle.
Watch the full live Q&A above — we answer way more questions than what’s covered here. Have a question you want us to answer? Drop it in the comments and you might hear it on a future episode. Subscribe to the Dunk Talk Podcast on YouTube and follow us on Instagram @dylanhaugen23 and @hunter.dunks.