Universal Athletic Stance

THE UNIVERSAL ATHLETIC POSITION.

This position is exactly what it says on the tin, this is a commonly well-known position within Industry used for most sports in order to perform a larger number of athletic movements and tasks. Also known as the “ready position”, this can also be the difference between two athletes sprinting towards their target or being better prepared to change directions as you react to return shot from the opponent or any other stimulus.

This position is taught across a number of different sports, or athletes through years of experience have figured this position as one of the most effective preparatory stances for movement in any direction.

The weight between the left and right leg is evenly distributed, with the feet outside of shoulder width to provide you with the fast change of direction going left, right, backwards and forwards. The narrower the stance the harder it will be to achieve that fast start because you don’t have the angle to push off.

Drive your hips back and have a slight bend in the knee, I like to use “soft knees” as a coaching cue as an indication not to lock out the knees which gives out the light bent knees that are required for the athletic stance. While you’re doing this your shins should stay vertical and you should be feeling the muscles in your posterior working.

While driving your hips, keep your chest up and have your shoulders directly over your toes. If done correctly this should give you a little bit of tension in your hamstrings and glutes.

This is position can be incorporated into many different drills As a way to prep the athlete in any situation game related situation, here some examples from a few different sports:

Basketball