Today’s guest post comes from Cressey Sports Performance – Florida coach, Dylan Lidge.

The ability to access hip extension while the opposite hip flexes is crucial in sprinting, throwing, hitting, and a myriad of other athletic endeavors. To ensure true hip extension, the heel, knee, pelvis, rib cage and head need to be stacked. Here are few dynamic ways to challenge hip extension in a warm-up.

Side-Lying Hip Extension Iso Holds to Wall – You should be able to draw a straight line from the bottom knee to the ear. Keep full foot contact onto the wall. Aim for a 30 second hold.

DB Goblet Hip Flexion End-Range Lift-offs – The goblet load keeps the athlete in a stacked position and is a great way to get the core activated. The athlete should “push the floor” under them and “stay tall” to ensure the glute extends the hip. Aim for a 5 second hold.

Arms Overhead High Knee March with Med Ball – The med ball challenges the athlete to go into hip extension and shoulder flexion without compensating. Control the pace for 15yds.

Split Squat Iso Hold – Back Heel Pressed to Wall – The back heel into the wall helps the athlete utilize their glute and hamstrings for hip extension. Hold for 30 seconds.

2-arm KB Racked High Knee March – Cue the athlete to exhale at the top of each rep. The kettlebells challenge the athlete to establish good core stiffness in a stacked position. Perform 8 reps on each side.

About the Author

Dylan Lidge serves as a Strength and Conditioning Coach at Cressey Sports Performance – Florida. Prior to joining the staff, Dylan completed an internship at CSP-FL in the summer of 2020. He graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a B.S. in Kinesiology. He is currently studying at the University of Illinois-Chicago for his MS in Kinesiology with a concentration in Biomechanics. At UIC he holds a position as a teacher’s assistant in an exercise technique course, as well as an instructor for a personal fitness course. In 2019, he interned with the UIC Strength and Conditioning staff assisting with the baseball team. Dylan has coached baseball at the collegiate, high school, and youth levels.