The foam roll doesn’t get enough credit for how much it can help soccer players who are tight after a strenuous practice or game. Foam rollers help release tension and knots in muscles and help prevent injuries.
It’s like getting a massage. This is something you can do on your own everyday after training. You’ll see results with consistent use – less muscle tightness and less injuries. Just about every part of your body can get the foam roller treatment, from your calfs to the Thighs and hip area. Even just lying with your back over the roller will open up your chest area and help you breath better – it’s sort of like doing a Yoga pose on the roller.
Massage out tight spots and prepare the muscles for maximal performance! If you are a soccer player, learning how to foam roll is a must. Again, foam rolling is a great way to prevent injuries and improve flexibility which is important for all soccer players who are playing a number of intense games throughout the season. You’ve seen foam rollers at the gym, but do you really know how to use them? Check out this video below. In recent years, doing exercises with foam rollers and similar products has become incredibly popular. Not everyone has access to a training room or professional massage therapist but by using a foam roller you can gain similar advantages.
Using a foam roller massages away restrictions to normal soft-tissue extensibility which in turn aids in preventing injuries, gets rid of knots and tightness in your muscles, physically de-stresses your body so it can work more efficiently, increases flexibility and more, all aiding in the needed recovery and maintenance process to ensure peak performance throughout a long season.
Good foam rollers can be found for $20 to $40 online and at most sporting goods stores. If you're not taking using one, you're doing your body a disservice. The foam roller will eventually be your best friend, trust me.
The foam roller is great for after practice so you can release muscle tightness or trigger points. Some of the areas you should focus on are your glutes, hamstrings, calves, and Hip Flexors/IT bands. These are the areas that will be fatigued after practice and games, so the importance of releasing those knots is vital to your recovery and next day performance.