Skills & Conditioning

Girls and ACL Injuries: Beginning with adolescence, females have a higher incidence of injury to the main stabilizing knee ligament, the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament). The main reasons for this are a 'Q Angle', which results in a knock-kneed condition, and under-developed hamstrings. With this in mind, we will be focusing on the following five exercises:

  • The Tuck Jump
  • Double Leg Jump, Side to Side
  • Double Leg Jump, Forward & Backward
  • The X-Hop
  • The Single Leg Hop Hold
  • Pictures and descriptions of the above exercises can be found HERE.

USA Today has a good article on the phenomenon, and Placer United has put together some information to help educate both coaches, parents, and athletes. You can find that background here:
 
         
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