Upper Body / Push

Plank to Push-Up

Shoulderstricepsanti-rotation corechest Strength/neural
i.

How to Do It

Start in a forearm plank, body straight and braced. Press up onto one hand, then the other, into a full push-up position, then lower back down to the forearms one arm at a time. Keep the hips as square and still as possible — minimize side-to-side rocking. Alternate the leading arm each rep.

ii.

Why It Works

Combines a press-up transition with a strong anti-rotation demand; resisting the hips’ tendency to rock as each arm moves builds shoulder stability, triceps strength, and rotary core control under a moving base.

iii.

Hockey Transfer

Trains the anti-rotation trunk stiffness used to stay square and resist being turned in battles, plus shoulder stability while transferring weight between arms — relevant to balance during contact.

iv.

Coaching Cues

  • "Hips quiet, don’t rock"
  • "press through the whole hand"
  • "brace before each transition"
v.

Common Mistakes

Hips rocking side to side; sagging or piking; rushing and losing the brace

vi.

Progression / Regression

Progression

feet closer or add a tempo

Regression

from the knees or slow the transitions

vii.

Primary Muscles

Shoulderstricepsanti-rotation corechest
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.

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