Muscle armor

As I'm playing what many regard to be a brutal sport that does not indulge in anything more protective than a mouth guard I've decided to take some precautions. I want to keep from getting my block knocked off in a game so I decided to hit the gym today and lift for the first time in years. Lightly building up muscle in vulnerable places will reduce my risk of injury. Well, that and an unwavering focus on flexibility. And I can enjoy the dual purpose of becoming a more effective tackler by getting stronger. For these goals I've taken the suggestion of focusing on my shoulders. I expect my shoulders to make a lot of contact. At least that's the goal.

If anyone has any good rotator cuff protection strategies or delt building exercises I'm all ears. I did shoulder raises, lat raises, shoulder presses, and something simply called a raise where the weight travels along the sides of my trunk. I don't want to be the gal who injures herself training to get strong before gameday so I didn't go beyond ten pounds per hand. I have to thank H's recent injury for this essential caution. This, core work and some lunges (If I'm going to have lift day then I can't skip lunges) rounded out my workout. It feels good. I'm tired, but I don't feel strained. I only did two sets of ten for each shoulder exercise. Perhaps I should stick to the weight I'm at and add a set. Suggestions? I don't need to bulk up. I just need to get the muscles that I do have nice and strong. And I cannot risk pushing myself too hard in the gym.

Only time will tell if any of this will be effective. I may be playing as early as next weekend depending on game time, but I'll definitely be playing the following weekend. I can't wait to get out there on the pitch.