Stationary bear crawl: Bobbleheads
Category: Neck control & endurance
Level: 2
Carla van den Berg
- Neutral head/neck position
- Partner uses two fingers to provide slight force to nudge the athlete's head while the athlete resists the movement
- Nudge from various directions
- Eyes look down between hands
- Hands directly under shoulders, elbows straight
- Shoulders engaged; look for a flat t-shirt sitting across the shoulder blades
- Flat, level back
- Knees directly under hips
- 90-degree angle at hips and knees
- Head/neck moving out of neutral line due to excessive force applied by partner.
- Cue "Long, strong neck"
- Cue "Light taps"
- Rounded upper-back
- Cue "Pinch the shoulder blades down and back"
- Sagging lower-back
- Cue "Pull belly-button up towards ribs"
- Cue "Bring the hips higher"
- Knees too far back from hips
- Cue "Step the feet forward"
- Activates the neck muscles to stabilize the head, preparing for the physical demands and contact nature of rugby
- Neck strength may be associated with reduced concussion risk
- Reinforces safe, neutral neck position
- Activates and strengthens muscles of the shoulders and trunk