Goal-Oriented: Medicine Ball Training for Athletes
When it comes to training, people like to debate about what is the best way to increase an athlete’s power and explosiveness.
When it comes to training, people like to debate about what is the best way to increase an athlete's power and explosiveness. Some people believe Olympic lifting is the best tool to increase an athlete's power output. Others believe CrossFit or kettlebell training are the most effective way at increasing an athlete's power.
We can argue this point all day long and the reality is I don't believe that there is one single way to increase your power. However, I do believe that there is a very effective tool for athletes to use when it comes to increasing power output and that tool is a medicine ball.
Most coaches know that in order to increase power a lot of factors must go into the equation. Here are just a few of the things that we need to do in order to increase power output:
Increase your force into the ground.
Increase total body strength.
As much as I like Olympic lifting and kettlebell training, I believe the best tool for teaching power output at the beginning of a training program is to use a medicine ball. A few reasons why I prefer to use a medicine ball at the beginning of an athlete's training program are:
These are just a few examples of why I like to use medicine balls in a training program. The reality is a number of elite athlete's use these in their everyday training program. As I stated above, I use this at the beginning of a training program with new athletes, however, elite athletes use these daily for incredible results.
Increase the speed of movement.
Ensure proper alignment while we train.
Focus on ways to properly decelerate our body.
Maintain proper breathing patterns.
The ability to stabilize under load.
For most people throwing an object comes natural.
It's fun. People like to throw things and this gives them the license to throw an object as hard as possible once they have good form.
It's safe. Instead of lifting a weight over your head with the fear of dropping it on your head a medicine ball is a great tool to teach the mechanics of several more advanced lifts.
You can take the medicine ball anywhere and train on your own.
With this one tool I can work on speed, power, deceleration, change of direction, endurance, proprioception and mobility.
When it comes to training with medicine balls there are so many exercises to choose from. You are only limited by your imagination. Below are five exercise video clips that I have put together for you to review. As always ensure that you use proper form and start slow. If you have any pain (shoulder, back, etc.) back off of these exercises and consult with a medical professional.
Medicine ball squat to overhead throw-tutorial
Lateral lunge to shotput-tutorial
Skate hop continuous w/ medicine ball throw-tutorial
Crow hop w/ med ball throw-tutorial
Regardless of your sport medicine ball training is a fantastic way to increase your power. Athletes from every sport can benefit from the rotational power as well as well the increase in aerobic output that they will see from this type of training. If you have kids this is a great way to slowly introduce them to the world of training. I guarantee that if you start slow and use a very light medicine ball kids will enjoy this type of training. Adults, if you are looking to drop a few pounds or increase your running speed implement medicine ball training into your routine.
Enjoy!
Kevin Miller is the strength and conditioning coach for the Philadelphia Union. For more on Miller and the Union, visit philadelphiaunion.com.
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