How do you train to max pushups on an APFT?

I like to do 30:30s. 30 seconds of pushup 30 seconds rest. Do as many pushups as you can in those 30 seconds but the goal is 20 because if you do 20 for each 30 seconds in a 2 minute test you did 80 push ups. Even in the test I do 20, take a rest position for a few seconds and then resume pushups. Once you can hit 20 pushups in 4 sets of 30:30s then you add more sets to make it more challenging.

Alright, here's how you do it. You can max it today. First, find an NCO that doesn't like you to show you what a "correct push-up standard" is with your body structure. This person will be more than happy to make you do it correctly. Now, using the correct technique, perform and count your push-ups backward from 72 to 1 as fast as you can go. Don't forget to breathe. Do this every night, starting 3 weeks before the test. It will be a piece of cake on game day. The brain loves to perform backward, but hates forward for some reason. Did it and taught it for years. Good luck!

Weight training. Wear a weighted vest or even an IBA or something like that and you'll see a drastic improvement.

I don't have any recommendations for you, other than to warn you against getting frustrated and overtraining pushups. Did that, and while I didn't gain any reps, in a few months, I couldn't turn my head more than a few degrees to either side. At 6' 3" and 165 I feel your pain.

Work on plyometric push up, straight arm planks, and 21s.

With the plyos, throw yourself off the ground as far as possible (5 sets of 20). Adds explosive power and the easier it is to do one push up the more you can do.

Straight arm planks (5 sets 1min. Sets, add 10 seconds to your sets every week).

21s are 7 half pushups starting from up position 7 half pushups from the down position and 7 full pushups to be done as one set. Start with 3 sets and add sets as possible.

If your arms get so smoked that you cant possibly do another pushup then do them off a bench, table or wall. As long as you finish your sets it doesn't matter if they are perfect. This will turn you into a pushup beast.

Well try to bench more often w more reps flat, incline, decline and do free weights as well.

Honestly bro I have the same problem. Until a Platoon Sgt told me that I was going down too low. I'm used to just touching the floor w my chest but us being taller he urged me to just break the plane. Don't go all the way down. It'll save you about 5 push ups.

Work on adjusting your arm width and doing reps in various positions. You just might be able to crank out that few more with an adjustment of your arm position

I had the same problem as you I was 6'4" and 165 as well and the length of my arms was the only reason I felt I couldn't max on push-ups! Sit ups and running was no m problem!

I have found 2 techniques that work well for me:

1) High volume sets - There is an app you can download, I believe its call "100 Pushups" or something to that effect. It has you do an initial test of how many pushups you can do with good form. Then it assigns you a week to start on. It has you do five sets of pushups with varying repetitions, with the last being basically going to failure. The key is when you get a few sessions down the reps start climbing eg. 17,18,20,18,17 and so on. This will get your body used to doing a lot of pushups in a short amount of time.

2)Dips and Pullups - Being good at these can help you on your pushups as well. The key for doing dips for the chest is to mount the bar and lean forward slightly. When you perform the exercise, go down until you feel a stretch in your chest then push yourself back up, this strengthens the chest and makes pushups a bit easier in my experience. As for pull ups, they are a great all around upper body exercise and can increase your overall strength which in turn should help your pushups.

Lastly, weight training couldn't hurt either. I do not do it myself, but more strength and muscle will always be a benefit.