How to Warm up as a Water Polo Goalie

Walking Spiderman

Hip mobility is crucial to a goalie’s movement in the cage. The Walking Spiderman is an exercise to improve range of motion in a chronically tight area for water polo athletes. Greater mobility allows a keeper to maintain a wider base position and push more water before a powerful lunge.

Starting Position:

Start in pushup position. Hands begin under the shoulders. Back is flat, and core tight.

Movement:

Step front foot forward to lunge position. Extend same arm forward and touch the floor.

Step back foot forward to meet front foot.

Step opposite foot forward to lunge position. Extend same arm forward and touch the floor.

Repeat for prescribed reps.

Dowel Good Morning

Posture plays a huge role when blocking the ball. The Good Morning with a dowel is a movement to help strengthen and increase range of motion in the hamstrings and lower back for goalies.

Equipment:

You will need one long dowel. Make sure the dowel is light and can be easily gripped.

Starting Position:

Feet start hip width apart, toes forward, slight bend in the knees. The dowel is resting along your spine just below the neck with your hands holding the dowel just outside shoulder width.

Movement:

Hinge at the hips with a slight bend in the knees. Push the hips back while keeping the back flat and pinching the shoulder blades together.

At the bottom, squeeze hamstrings and glute muscles to elevate your upper body back to starting position.

Front Bridge Arm Raise

Posture, core, hip and shoulder stability are all combined in this dynamic exercise. The Front Bridge Arm Raise is a variation of the regular Front Bridge, with added emphasis on stability and core strength.

Starting Position:

Start in a front bridge position with the head, shoulders, back, and glutes all aligned. Hand, forearms, elbows and toes on floor. Core is tight.

Movement:

Lift and extend one arm in front of the body while maintaining alignment.

In a controlled movement, return that arm to floor back to starting position.

Lift and extend opposite arm in front of body while maintaining alignment.

In a controlled movement, return arm to starting floor position.  Repeat for prescribed reps.

Frog Squat

This bodyweight squat progression targets hip mobility and flexibility, which helps goalies improve their egg-beater base position.

Do not underestimate the importance of posture for goalies.  A strong back and good range of motion along the spine can help prevent future injuries.

Starting Position:

Stand, feet hip width apart with chest up and flat back. Cross hands in front of hips.

Movement:

Lower body toward the ground, sink your hips backward; knees over toes into a squat position. Touch floor with hands while keeping your chest up.

Drive through heels and extend through hips back to the starting position. Repeat for prescribed reps.

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