5 Yoga Moves for Football Players

By Gwen Lawrence

It's extremely beneficial for football players, of every level, to take yoga classes to improve their functional strength, balance, flexibility, power, breathing techniques, visualizations skills, and focus. There are certain yoga moves that are more beneficial than others; if a player doesn't have much time they should consider these top five poses.

1) Lying Opposite Arm Opposite Leg

This movement is amazing to warm-up the hip socket, shoulder socket, and abs, as well as syncing the breath with the movement; critical for the quick elusive moves you need on the field. Try it for two to four minutes.

2) Lunge Twist

This pose will increase strength in the legs while stretching the quadriceps and increase the rotation in the back. Just watch a receiver and you will know how important it is to be able to twist and torque to catch a less than perfect pass. Great execution of this pose will also help you better you balance, which also can come in handy when landing from a leaping grab or having to have the presence of mind to land you feet inbounds.   

3) Plank Pose Elbow to Knee Variation

Performing plank on its own will increase your abdominal and hip flexor strength, but adding elbow to knee variation will deepen the abs crunch and strengthen the wrist joint (which needs to be strong in the event that you land on your wrist after an air born catch). Having the best abdominal strength will support your back in all compromising positions on the field.

4) Chest Down Shoulder Stretch

This yoga pose will give you a deep opening in the anterior deltoids (front of the shoulder), stretch the biceps muscle, neck and spine; all very important to run and turn on the dime to prevent a catch or make a catch.  

5) Frog

This pose is a long deep hold up to 20 minutes and will release the groin and inner thigh. To prevent injuries, inner thighs need to be open to make a run stop and to change direction. Also this is another example of opening the hips in all directions will keep the knees safer and more exempt of stress and strain.