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Why would you do such a thing??Β π€
The Traditional Approach...
If you watched any sports practice or game over the past 5 decades, I would bet that the vast majority lead with some iteration of a stretching routine.
Stretching as a pre-game routine is widely accepted as the best way for athletes to prepare for competition.
Hereβs the issue - athleteβs often stretch because theyβre told to and go through the motions. Thereβs no activation or mobilization, just athleteβs wandering aimlessly through a stretching routine because they always have.Β
Stretching isnβt harmful for the athlete, it just isnβt the best use of time if your goal is to prepare for performance.
π π Shorten your warm-up period and get more bang for your buck by adding these 3 techniques in place of your normal stretching routine!
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#1 ο»ΏLUNGE
Lunging is one of the most fundamental exercises to improve strength and conditioning.
Itβs also a phenomenal way to prime your body. You can slow it down and focus on pushing your knee over toe to prime your knees, hips and ankles or you can speed it up and push blood into your VMOβs and hamstrings.
β‘οΈ prime your knees, hips & ankles by pushing your knee over your toeΒ
β‘οΈ speed it up to pump blood into your VMO's & hamstrings
Lunges are a versatile exercise and can be scaled for any athlete or sport.
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#2 REVERSE WALKING
Ideally, this would be a reverse sled drag, but many teams donβt have the space or resources to perform sled drags pre-game or training. Instead, a simple backwards walk can provide similar benefits and can be performed by every athlete.
With a slight bend in the knees, reverse walking helps to improve gait and mobilize all of the lower extremities.Β
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#3 NORDIC CURLS
The king of lower body exercisesΒ π π - the nordic curl.
β‘οΈΒ In the team setting, nordic curls can be performed with one athlete holding the feet of their partner and switching off until everyone has completed the desired sets/reps.
Itβs easy to perform on a field and can be scaled for each athleteβs individual needs by changing the tempo and range of motion.Β
While stretching has a time and place, if your goal is to prime your body for performance, use these 3 tips to dominate the game!
Why You Should Ditch Stretching
Β
Β
Why would you do such a thing??Β π€
The Traditional Approach...
If you watched any sports practice or game over the past 5 decades, I would bet that the vast majority lead with some iteration of a stretching routine.
Stretching as a pre-game routine is widely accepted as the best way for athletes to prepare for competition.
Hereβs the issue - athleteβs often stretch because theyβre told to and go through the motions. Thereβs no activation or mobilization, just athleteβs wandering aimlessly through a stretching routine because they always have.Β
Stretching isnβt harmful for the athlete, it just isnβt the best use of time if your goal is to prepare for performance.
π π Shorten your warm-up period and get more bang for your buck by adding these 3 techniques in place of your normal stretching routine!
Β
#1 ο»ΏLUNGE
Lunging is one of the most fundamental exercises to improve strength and conditioning.
Itβs also a phenomenal way to prime your body. You can slow it down and focus on pushing your knee over toe to prime your knees, hips and ankles or you can speed it up and push blood into your VMOβs and hamstrings.
β‘οΈ prime your knees, hips & ankles by pushing your knee over your toeΒ
β‘οΈ speed it up to pump blood into your VMO's & hamstrings
Lunges are a versatile exercise and can be scaled for any athlete or sport.
Β
#2 REVERSE WALKING
Ideally, this would be a reverse sled drag, but many teams donβt have the space or resources to perform sled drags pre-game or training. Instead, a simple backwards walk can provide similar benefits and can be performed by every athlete.
With a slight bend in the knees, reverse walking helps to improve gait and mobilize all of the lower extremities.Β
Β
#3 NORDIC CURLS
The king of lower body exercisesΒ π π - the nordic curl.
β‘οΈΒ In the team setting, nordic curls can be performed with one athlete holding the feet of their partner and switching off until everyone has completed the desired sets/reps.
Itβs easy to perform on a field and can be scaled for each athleteβs individual needs by changing the tempo and range of motion.Β
While stretching has a time and place, if your goal is to prime your body for performance, use these 3 tips to dominate the game!