Warm-up / Mobility

Spider Lunge with Rotation

Hip flexorsadductorsglutesthoracic erectorsobliques N/A (mobility/recovery)
i.

How to Do It

From a plank, step one foot to the outside of the same-side hand into a deep lunge, back leg long and hips low. Reach the inside arm under and through, then rotate it up toward the ceiling, opening the chest and following the hand with your eyes. Return the hand down and step back to plank. Alternate sides.

ii.

Why It Works

Dynamically loads the lead-leg hip flexors and adductors into deep flexion while the rotation mobilizes the thoracic spine and lengthens the obliques, raising tissue temperature and joint range before loading.

iii.

Hockey Transfer

Prepares the deep hip and groin range used in the wide stride and crossovers, and the t-spine rotation needed to wind up into shots; reduces early-session groin/hip strain risk.

iv.

Coaching Cues

  • "Drop the back hip"
  • "reach tall, eyes follow the hand"
  • "long spine, not crunched"
v.

Common Mistakes

Rushing the rotation; back knee bouncing on the floor; rounding the low back instead of rotating the t-spine

vi.

Progression / Regression

Progression

2-sec hold at end range

Regression

drop the back knee for support

vii.

Primary Muscles

Hip flexorsadductorsglutesthoracic erectorsobliques
viii.

Energy System

N/A (mobility/recovery)

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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