Med Ball Overhead Slam

Drive a slam ball from overhead into the floor as hard as possible. Trains full-body extension and trunk flexion speed, and it is simple to coach.

DIFFICULTY
Beginner
EQUIPMENT
Slam ball
PRIMARY MUSCLES
Lats · Abs
ALSO WORKS
Obliques · Deltoids · Triceps · Glutes
HOW TO DO IT
  1. 01Stand feet hip-width with a non-bouncing slam ball at your feet.
  2. 02Hinge, pick the ball up and bring it overhead, reaching tall through the hips and ribs.
  3. 03Without pausing, pull the ball down hard, hinging at the hips and letting the trunk fold.
  4. 04Release the ball into the floor just in front of your feet and follow through.
  5. 05Pick it up, reset and repeat for 6 to 10 reps with maximum intent.
COACHING CUES
  1. 01Reach tall, then drive it through the floor.
  2. 02Hinge on the way down, do not just crunch.
  3. 03Full effort or stop the set.
COMMON MISTAKES
  1. 01Using a bouncing med ball instead of a slam ball — it comes back at your face.
  2. 02Rounding the low back to pick the ball up between reps — dozens of loaded reps of that adds up quickly.
  3. 03Slamming at seventy percent for high reps — a slam at partial effort is a conditioning drill, not a power drill.

Note: Reference material, not a prescription. Load, volume and whether this movement suits you at all depends on your assessment — if something hurts, stop and get it looked at.

Want a program built around you?

BOOK YOUR ASSESSMENT →