Core & Anti-rotation

Pallof March

Obliquestransverse abdominiship flexorsdeep core Strength/neural
i.

How to Do It

Anchor a band at chest height to the side; hold it pressed out (or at the chest) and stand tall, hips and shoulders square. Maintaining the anti-rotation brace, march one knee up to hip height, lower it, then the other — resisting any rotation or side-tilt the whole time. Keep the press steady. Reps, then switch sides.

ii.

Why It Works

Adds a marching, single-leg-loading challenge to the Pallof anti-rotation hold; lifting each leg shifts the base of support and adds hip flexion while the core keeps resisting rotation, training rotary stability under a moving base.

iii.

Hockey Transfer

Trains the anti-rotation core control to stay square while the legs move and load alternately — exactly the demand of skating, where the trunk must stay stable as each leg drives; supports efficient force transfer.

iv.

Coaching Cues

  • "Hips and shoulders square, march tall"
  • "resist the twist as the knee lifts"
  • "steady press, steady core"
v.

Common Mistakes

Torso rotating toward the anchor as a knee lifts; tilting side to side; rushing the march

vi.

Progression / Regression

Progression

press fully out while marching or heavier band

Regression

hold at the chest, lighter band, slower march

vii.

Primary Muscles

Obliquestransverse abdominiship flexorsdeep core
viii.

Energy System

Strength/neural

Ready to train?

Put it to work
on the ice.

This exercise is part of a fully periodized 12-week off-ice program — built by a sport scientist who coaches at the national level.

← Back to Exercise Library