In order to find the optimal mode of vertical jump performance, the purposes of this studywere to determine the difference of reaction force and the EMG in vertical jump between eliteathletes and normal subjects. Three repetitive trial in vertical jump of six elite subjects (verticaljump performance above 70 cm) and six normal ones (vertical jump performance below 55cm) were evaluated. Use Kistler force platform system to measure the reaction force andBiopac System to measure the electromyogram (EMG) of agonist muscle (M. rectus femoris& M. gastrocnemius) and antagonist muscle ( M. biceps femoris & M. tibialis anterior). Itshowed that the peak and slope of reaction force in elite subjects were significantly greaterthan normal ones. In the same way, the maximum and integrated EMG activity of M. rectusfemoris in squat phase, M. biceps femoris in jump phase, and the ratio of agonist-antagonistmuscle in elite subjects were also significantly greater than normal ones. Thus, we areconfident that elite vertical jump performance should be bases on either the powerfulconcentric contraction of agonist muscle or the powerful eccentric contraction of antagonistmuscle, then the force and speed could be increased.