Dennis wrote the following:
Can you please share your thoughts on why you don’t like the straight leg marches and the 1-leg rdl’s?
I believe the straight leg marches cause hamstring problems. They are too ballistic in warm-up. As far as one leg RDL or the RDL for that matter, if you are doing them to strengthen hamstrings, there are better more functional alternatives – the multidirectional lunge and the high step-up. I think the RDL is a good assistance/ remedial exercise for Olympic lifter, not athletes who have sprint or jump.
Another couple of thoughts on warm-up. It is very important to carefully consider the order in the selection of exercises in the warm-up. I no longer include jogging; we stride 6 x 30 to 50 meters. Jogging just reinforces poor running mechanics and sloppy foot strikes. Pre game or competition warm-up needs to flexible. You need to make sure that essential elements are done, but you must be adaptable. If the team or individual is too hyped up then do things in warm-up that calm them down. Too passive get them amped up.
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