For American football
For American football, the two are close. Barbell back squat rates slightly higher: more injury protection.
Broad jump is easier to learn and fit in.
Both are good choices that build different things for American football, so a plan can use both.
The research score comes from these, scored by hand from the studies. Lifter scores appear once an exercise has 10 ratings. How scores work
Barbell Back Squat. Lower-body strength for driving through contact.
Broad Jump. Horizontal power, the direction of your first steps. Also a Combine test.
For soccer, broad jump rates higher on our research criteria: easier to learn and fit in, more carry-over to soccer. Barbell back squat does more to prevent injuries.
For swimming, broad jump rates well ahead on our research criteria: easier to learn and fit in, more carry-over to swimming. Barbell back squat does more to prevent injuries.
For American football, the two are close. Barbell back squat rates slightly higher: more injury protection. Broad jump is easier to learn and fit in. Both are good choices that build different things for American football, so a plan can use both.
Broad jump is easier: it’s easy to learn, while barbell back squat takes some practice.
Barbell back squat needs a barbell and a squat rack, so for most people it’s a gym exercise. Broad jump needs no equipment, so you can do it anywhere.
Barbell back squat: it rates Good for injury protection in our research rubric, against Fair for broad jump.