In this installment of “Exercise of the Week,” I want to introduce you to one of my favorite “introduction” medicine ball exercises, the Split-Stance Anti-Rotation Medicine Ball Scoop Toss.

It’s incredibly useful for two primary reasons:

First, it trains hip/trunk separation through good thoracic mobility (as opposed to excessive lower back motion). Effectively executing this “separation” is key for high-level performance in any rotational sport.

Second, it teaches athletes to have a firm front side for accepting force. One common problem both hitters and pitchers can encounter is that they lack sufficient appropriate timing and multi-directional strength to “stiffen up” on the front side lower extremity.

If they can’t get this right in a controlled environment like the weight room, they sure as heck won’t be able to do it in a chaotic, competitive environment when they’re trying to adjust to a 83mph slider right after a 95mph fastball. Compare the demonstration video from above (Andrew is not a rotational sport athlete) to the following video of one of our professional pitchers, and you’ll appreciate how trainable (and beneficial) these proficiencies are.

One additional point about this exercise: because there isn’t aggressive hip rotation taking place, it’s one of the few medicine ball drills I’ll actually continue to utilize during the season with some of our baseball players. That said, I think it’s a fantastic exercise that can be used for athletes and general fitness clients alike. Who wouldn’t want to be more powerful with better movement quality?