This weekend another article was published all about upper body strength training with a focus on the core and the pushing movement. It is really important that if you are an athlete that you have the strength to create a strong frame to support your spine and maintain good posture. This article demonstrates progressive exercises to get you from push ups on your knees all the way to more challenging exercises such as push ups on a physio ball on one leg. All it takes is patience, perserverence and practice.
http://breakingmuscle.com/bodyweight/7-core-strengthening-push-up-progressions-for-female-athletes
Performing push ups on an unstable surface such as a physio ball forces your to work your stabilizers and engage your core.