For American football
For American football, Romanian deadlift rates higher on our research criteria: more injury protection.
Sled push carries over more directly to American football.
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
Romanian Deadlift. Hamstring and hip strength for sprinting, with a simple loading pattern.
Sled Push. Driving low against resistance, like firing off the line.
For soccer, Romanian deadlift rates well ahead on our research criteria: more injury protection, easier to learn and fit in.
For American football, Romanian deadlift rates higher on our research criteria: more injury protection. Sled push carries over more directly to American football. 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 Romanian deadlift takes some practice.
Romanian deadlift needs a barbell, so for most people it’s a gym exercise. Sled push needs a sled, so for most people it’s a gym exercise.
Romanian deadlift: it rates Strong for injury protection in our research rubric, against Fair for sled push.