For American football
For American football, barbell back squat rates higher on our research criteria: more injury protection.
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.
Sled Push. Driving low against resistance, like firing off the line.
For quad growth, barbell back squat rates well ahead on our research criteria: more stretch, easier to progress. Sled push is easier on the joints.
For hybrid & fitness racing, sled push rates well ahead on our research criteria: more carry-over to hybrid & fitness racing, easier to learn and fit in.
For soccer, barbell back squat rates well ahead on our research criteria: more injury protection.
For combat sports, sled push rates higher on our research criteria: more carry-over to combat sports. Barbell back squat does more to prevent injuries.
For American football, barbell back squat rates higher on our research criteria: more injury protection. Both are good choices that build different things for American football, so a plan can use both.
Sled push 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. Sled push needs a sled, so for most people it’s a gym exercise.
Barbell back squat: it rates Good for injury protection in our research rubric, against Fair for sled push.