Sports medicine
Functional movement screening tips to identify injury risk factors in team sport athletes.
A practical guide detailing how to perform functional movement screening in team sports, identify common risk factors, interpret results accurately, and implement targeted training strategies that reduce injuries and enhance on-field durability and performance.
Published by
Patrick Baker
August 08, 2025 - 3 min Read
Functional movement screening (FMS) has emerged as a practical approach for teams seeking objective insights into how athletes move, rotate, and control their bodies during common tasks. The goal is not to diagnose specific injuries but to flag patterns associated with heightened risk. Coaches and practitioners pair standardized tasks with clinical judgment to observe asymmetries, compensatory movements, and difficulty with mobility, stability, or force production. A well-executed screening session begins with clear expectations, a quiet space, and consistent instructions that minimize anxiety and performance pressure. Athletes should perform tasks with controlled tempo, and evaluators must document deviations systematically to build a reliable picture across players, positions, and training phases.
When integrating FMS into a team setting, start with baseline measurements for all players and repeat periodically to track change over time. Use these data to stratify risk and tailor interventions to individual needs rather than applying generic programs. It is essential to combine screening results with medical history, prior injuries, and training load to avoid misinterpretation. A robust process involves collaborative decision making among coaches, athletic trainers, strength coaches, and sport physicians. This multidisciplinary approach helps ensure that movement findings translate into practical, sport-specific adjustments, such as correcting lunge mechanics, improving hip hinge control, or addressing shoulder stability. The ultimate aim is to create a continuous loop of assessment, intervention, and re-evaluation.
Practical steps connect screening to season-long training plans.
The first step in interpretation is to distinguish between flexibility limitations and dynamic stability issues. Limited ankle dorsiflexion, for example, may constrain squat depth and alter tibial alignment, potentially increasing knee stress during cutting or deceleration. Conversely, a lack of core control during rotational tasks can reveal upstream trunk and hip instability that manifests as compensatory side-bending or lumbar extension. Observers should note the context of each movement, including fatigue, recent training loads, and the athlete’s skill level. A careful synthesis combines quantitative scores with qualitative observations, highlighting where a restriction or pattern repeatedly appears under time pressure or endurance tasks.
After identifying patterns, the next phase focuses on targeted interventions that address root causes rather than symptoms. Prioritize movement quality over quantity; teach athletes to move with controlled tempo, deliberate breathing, and mindful engagement of stabilizing muscles. Address hip mobility through progressive, load-bearing positions, while reinforcing symmetrical strength across sides to reduce asymmetries. Some athletes benefit from proprioceptive and neuromuscular drills that enhance feed-forward control during sudden changes of direction. Communication matters too: explain why a drill matters, demonstrate proper technique, and provide feedback that is specific, actionable, and encouraging. The end goal is durable performance with reduced vulnerability to common team sport injuries.
Use screening results to inform load management and recovery strategies.
Implement a standardized screening battery at pre-season and re-check mid-season to capture improvements or emerging risks. Keep the process efficient to minimize disruption, ideally completing essential tasks within 15 to 20 minutes. Use a simple scoring rubric that highlights the most clinically meaningful deviations rather than chasing every minor detail. When a player displays a consistent red flag—such as poor trunk stability with a lower limb task—prioritize corrective work in warm-ups and microcycles. This approach maintains buy-in from athletes who often value performance gains as much as injury protection, reinforcing adherence to prescribed protocols.
Design modifications should be sport-specific and progression-based. Start with foundational control—neutral spine, stacked joints, and stable pelvis—before adding dynamic challenges like unilateral loading, plyometrics, or multi-planar hops. Integrate task-specific drills that mimic on-field demands, such as rapid deceleration, change of direction, and accelerations with preset tempo cues. Monitor response to progression by tracking movement quality, reaction to perturbations, and ability to recover balance after a destabilizing cue. The screening framework becomes a living guide, evolving alongside the athlete’s development, strength gains, and tactical responsibilities within the team.
Implement simple, scalable drills that reinforce good movement patterns.
Risk factors identified through movement screening should intersect with load management principles to prevent overuse and acute injuries. For instance, if a player shows diminished hip control during landing tasks, coaches might schedule lighter sprint days or emphasize lower-impact conditioning while still preserving sport-specific intensity. Conversely, athletes lacking ankle mobility may need alternate approaches to plyometrics that reduce knee torque during high-velocity tasks. The liaison between screening data and training stress helps maintain an optimal balance between stimulus and recovery, supporting performance goals without compromising safety. Documenting decisions and outcomes creates accountability across staff and players.
Education sits at the heart of sustainable change. Teach athletes to self-monitor movement quality and recognize uncomfortable or painful cues that warrant medical review. Provide visuals and cueing strategies that demystify complex concepts, enabling independent warm-up routines and corrective exercises. Encourage athletes to report subtle shifts in technique, fatigue, or joint soreness early rather than waiting for performance decline. By fostering ownership of movement health, teams cultivate a proactive culture that supports longevity, consistent participation, and confidence in returning from minor injuries promptly and safely.
From screening insights to ongoing injury prevention and performance gains.
A practical progression toolkit enables teams to integrate screening-informed habits into daily practice. Begin with simple mobility drills that free up restricted joints, then advance to stability-focused sequences that challenge control under fatigue. A well-rounded program alternates bilateral and unilateral work, ensuring balanced development across sides and planes of motion. Incorporate balance challenges, controlled decelerations, and rhythm-based coordination tasks that mirror game demands. Coaches should embed these drills into warm-ups and cooldowns so athletes experience continuity, not disruption, and can measure progress in a straightforward manner through observable improvements.
To maintain relevance, periodically revisit movement screening criteria and adjust thresholds as athletes mature or shift positions. For example, a developing defender may require different coordination benchmarks than a veteran forward. Timelines matter: re-screen after major training blocks, post-season, or following a significant injury to reassess risk factors and update intervention plans. This adaptive approach helps prevent stagnation and keeps the program aligned with evolving sport science. Effective communication with players ensures expectations stay clear and participation remains enthusiastic.
The ultimate value of functional movement screening lies in translating findings into actionable, measurable improvements. Track concrete outcomes such as reductions in time-loss injuries, improved sprint mechanics, and enhanced balance under fatigue. Pair objective metrics with subjective feedback from athletes about perceived stability and confidence during high-stress game moments. Regular meetings among staff to review case studies keep the process transparent and educational, reinforcing the idea that movement quality is a foundational performance asset. When executed consistently, screening programs become integral to team culture, not merely a compliance exercise.
By embracing a careful blend of assessment, targeted coaching, and collaborative care, teams can reduce injury risk while unlocking performance gains. The most sustainable programs respect individual differences, avoid over-scripting drills, and emphasize portability across practice formats. This means flexible scheduling, scalable exercise libraries, and open channels for athlete input. When movement screening is part of a broader health-and-performance ecosystem, athletes move more efficiently, recover faster, and perform at higher levels when it matters most. The result is a proactive, evidence-informed approach that supports long-term athletic development and team success.
