March 31, Mastering the Football Combine Tests Hands-On Clinic...

This was the first clinic I've ever offered to help prospective pro-football players enhance their performance in the combine tests. We had four athletes register and it turned out to be a great day. Over 4-hours we covered the 40 yard dash, 20 yard shuttle, vertical jump and bench press. As a bonus we added the "L" drill and the broad jump. These athletes are participating in a Pro-Scout Combine that only tests the 40, shuttle, vertical and bench, but I wanted them to know the correct way to perform the "L" and the broad jump as well.

After our dynamic warm up I had the athletes perform each test their way. We then corrected their technique and practiced the drills then we took new times, everyone improved across the board! They are still not where they need to be for their combine, but at least they have 2-months of practicing the correct technique and will now stand a much better chance of putting up the numbers they are shooting for. Here are our results:

Player 1 - OLB:

40 yd dash - trial 1 = 4.72, trial 2 = 4.47 (dropped almost .3 seconds!)

10 yd dash - trial 1 = 1.57. trial 2 = 1.49

20 yd shuttle - trial 1 = 4.37, trial 2 = 4.29

vertical jump - trial 1 = 28.5", trial 2 = 31.5" (a 3" gain!)

bench press - 18 reps w/225

Player 2 - WR:

40 yd dash - trial 1 = 4.98, trial 2 = 4.54 (dropped .44 seconds!)

10 yd dash - trial 1 = 1.49, trial 2 = 1.38

20 yd shuttle - trial 1 = 4.90, trial 2 = 4.81 (we need some work here)

vertical jump -trial 1 = 30", trial 2 = 31"

Player 3 - WR:

40yd dash - trial 1 = 4.95, trial 2 = 4.71 (dropped .24 seconds, needs to come down still)

10yd dash - trial 1 = 1.59, trial 2 = 1.41

20 yd shuttle - trial 1 = 4.38, trial 2 = 4.30

vertical jump - trial 1 = 29.5", trial 2 = 31.5" (2" gain!)

bench press - 11 reps w/225

Player 4 - WR:

40 yd dash - trial 1 = 4.98, trial 2 = 4.79 (dropped .2 seconds, still needs to come down)

10 yd dash - trial 1 = 1.65, trial 2 = 1.41

20 yd shuttle - trial 1 = 4.73, trial 2 = 4.63 (needs some more work)

vertical jump - trial 1 = 28.5", trial 2 = 31.5" (a gain of 3"!)

As you see technique made a HUGE difference in their test performance! While the improvements are great, they need to get back to work now for the next 8 weeks and make the improvements they need to put the finishing touches on their scores. They are a group of great and motivated guys and I hope to have the good fortune to work with them more in the future.