Why Tom Barnes Deserves the Spotlight
I’ve been working with Tom Barnes for over a year and a half now. He’s not only my coach at JumpMaster X but a close friend, a regular guest on my podcast The Dunk Talk, and someone who’s been instrumental in my own vertical jump success. From helping me gain 4 inches on my vertical in less than a year to helping me peak for multiple dunk contest wins, Tom has played a huge role in my journey.
But more importantly, Tom’s own story is what makes him one of the most authentic and qualified figures in the dunk and strength training world.
From Perth to Pro-Level Dunking
Tom grew up in Perth, Australia, where he played a wide range of sports including football, cricket, field hockey, and basketball. That early exposure built the coordination and athletic foundation that would later fuel his vertical jump journey.
At age 17, he made a decisive shift: he realized dunking was more exciting than basketball itself and committed fully to jump training. He began documenting every session, filming dunks, lifting progress, and tracking details like rim height and conditions on the day.
One of his early inspirations was Steven Celi, a 5’10” dunker who made Tom believe high-level dunking was achievable at average height. Today, Tom stands as a 5’11” athlete who has thrown down many high-level dunks—all after recovering from a herniated L1-L2 disc.
“Steven Celi was the first guy I saw. He was 5’10”, basically the same height as me… barely touching rim like me. Then I saw him doing windmills and between-the-legs dunks and thought, ‘Okay, I want to do the same thing.’” — Tom Barnes
Tom’s Path to Progress: From First Dunk to Underboth
Tom landed his first dunk about four months into his jump training journey. It happened late at night under floodlights his dad installed behind the family hoop—a moment he still vividly remembers. Just a year later, he hit his first Eastbay.
Over time, his dunk library expanded to include off-the-backboard Eastbays, Behind the Backs, a clean Underboth, and consistent J-Rich Eastbays. Notably, he did all of this at just 5’11” and while maintaining a high level of strength training alongside his jump work.
His documented progression is still visible on his YouTube channel and Instagram—showing the reality of long-term athletic growth—including all the setbacks and breakthroughs along the way.
Built Different: Tom’s Weight Room Numbers
Tom’s not just a dunker. His lifting numbers are elite, especially for his size:
- Deadlift: 310kg (~682 lbs)
- Back Squat: 200kg (~440 lbs)
- Power Clean: 130kg (~286 lbs)
- Bench Press: 155kg (~341 lbs)
He balances heavy lifting with elite dunking—a rare and powerful combination that shows up in his coaching.
Coaching: Knowledge, Credentials, and Results
Tom has a sports science degree from Curtin University and years of experience coaching athletes through JumpMaster X. He was also coached by elite trainers early in his journey and combines academic knowledge with real-world application.
Some standout traits in his coaching:
- High-level understanding of weight training
- High emotional intelligence (especially with injured or frustrated athletes)
- Commitment to adapting and updating methods as science evolves
He has helped transform athletes like Hakahn, taking them from barely touching the rim to throwing down windmills and near-Eastbays.
Inside Tom Barnes’ Training Philosophy
Tom openly shares that not every dunk session is perfect—and that’s part of the process. He emphasizes:
- Discipline over distraction: Prioritizing structured training and clear goals instead of chasing highlight moments.
- Gratitude and perspective: After suffering a disc herniation, he now approaches each jump day with appreciation, even when things go poorly.
- Documenting to stay grounded: Looking back at old clips helps athletes remember how far they’ve come, rather than get discouraged by off-days.
- Resilience: One bad session doesn’t define progress, and he trains athletes to think long-term, not session-to-session.
This mindset shapes how he programs training, communicates with athletes, and responds to setbacks. It’s also what makes him effective with athletes who have a tendency to overtrain or struggle with motivation.
“The sport is always evolving… strength and conditioning is always evolving. If you’re not trying to improve as a coach, you’re doing your athletes a disservice.” — Tom Barnes
Founding JumpMaster X: A Coaching Dream Team
What started as JumpX with Austen Young evolved into JumpMaster X—a partnership between Tom, Austen, Brodie Stephens, and Jordan Kilganon. Each coach brings something different:
- Tom Barnes: Strength training, biomechanics, recovery, and technique
- Jordan Kilganon: Trick dunks, rehab, and pro dunking experience
- Austen Young: Periodization, strength training, and programming
- Brodie Stephens: Technique breakdowns and visual feedback
Picture of Dylan with Jordan
Tom contributes directly to programming and athlete communication. He regularly updates training plans and provides feedback in group chats, helping athletes make timely adjustments.
Real-Life Experience and Setbacks
In 2022, Tom suffered a disc herniation that affected his glute and made basic movements painful. Within months, he was back to elite-level dunking, and within a year and a half, he pulled (deadlifted) 310kg again. That recovery wasn’t just physical—it shaped how he trains and advises others.
He openly shares that adversity has made him more grateful for every dunk session, and that humility and gratitude carry through to how he coaches.
“Every day I can dunk—even if it’s a bad session—I feel super grateful. I literally do this for my living. I can’t be more blessed.” — Tom Barnes
Media, Community, and Global Impact
Tom is a Co-Host of the JumpMaster X Podcast, where him and the other coaches share insights on jump training while honoring their athletes. He has also appeared on my podcast, The Dunk Talk, where we break down dunk technique, recovery, mindset, and training methods.
He has helped bring together one of the most impactful dunking communities in the world with JumpMaster X. Their programs aren’t just about the training—they’re about long-term growth and community.
“You want to leave something where your own success can help them have success and have a little bit of an easier time getting there… Hopefully we can pave something for future people where, if you’re good enough at dunking, you can make a living out of it.” — Tom Barnes
What Makes Tom an Elite Coach
Tom is exactly the kind of coach you want in your corner if you’re serious about improving your vertical. He’s someone who knows the game from every angle: as an athlete, a lifter, a coach, and a business founder.
His impact on me has been personal. He’s pushed me to smarter training, helped me succeed in dunking, and constantly reminded me to stay grounded and grateful.
For athletes working to improve their performance, Tom Barnes offers a valuable example of what’s possible through consistent training and smart programming.
Curious what smart, sustainable jump training looks like in practice?
Check out Tom’s work at JumpMasterX.com or follow him on Instagram (@tom.dunks), YouTube (@TomDunks), and TikTok (@jumpmasterxtom).
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