The ‘core’ of an individual includes their abdominals, lower back and trunk. The core is basically the centre of power and is responsible for supporting the body during movements, including starting, stopping, twisting and turning. All movements that are crucial to a footballer.

The part of the mid section that is the focus of many people (desiring six-packs) is called the rectus abdominis and it is a long, flat muscle. Its main responsibility is to aid forward bending and also tenses the abdominal wall and aids in compressing the contents of the abdomen.

The muscles along each side, and slightly on the front, are known as the external obliques, and it can be divided into two sections; upper thoracic portion and a lower flank portion. The upper thoracic section contains the muscles that are in between the ribs. The lower flank portion is located a little further down the side of the abdomen, in between the bottom of the rib cage and the pelvis. A lot of this muscle is hidden under fat that is retained around the waist. The external obliques are used when you bend forward and twist from side to side, essential movements for any football player.

The internal oblique is a small, thin, deep muscle of the abdomen and it helps the external obliques when performing twisting movements. The transversus abdominis is a broad, flat muscle of the abdomen that is located just below the internal oblique and assists in breathing.

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