Preparing for the Combines
With 2001 already upon us, it is time for you aspiring football players
to begin preparing for next season. Even more specifically, it is time
to start getting ready for the combine s. For those of you who
don't know, the combines are a series of physical tests that are used
by many coaches to review and evaluate your current ability as well as
future potential as a football player. The standardized tests used at
most combines are used to assess players at the high school, collegiate,
and professional level. Most combines consist of the following tests: height & weight,
vertical jump, 40-yard dash, 20-yard Pro Agility Shuttle, and bench press
for reps .
In order for you to perform well at a combine, it is imperative that
you are sufficiently prepared. Your preparation should begin soon.
Our philosophy at Elite Athlete Training Systems is
based on the principles of specificity . The
principle of specificity states that in order for maximal transfer of
skill to occur, you must practice the specific skill exactly as it will
be recalled on the test (or game, competition, etc.). This principle
is simply in theory yet rarely practiced. Do you know how you get better
at performing the 20-yard Pro Agility Shuttle? You practice it over and
over for thousands of task specific repetitions under the guidance of
competent coaching. In addition, you strengthen your body's musculature
through proper strength training to give you a greater capacity to produce
power.
Aside from height and weight, each of the skills that will be tested
at the combine are skills that you can improve under the tutelage of
knowledgeable coaching and hours of task specific practice. Perfecting
your technique will make you much more efficient during the execution
of each skill. For example, you can improve your 40-yard dash time by
perfecting your starting stance and running mechanics.
In addition to practicing the specific skills of the combine, it is
also important that you participate in a safe, efficient, and productive
general strength training and conditioning program. Rest, recovery, and
proper nutrition will play a vital role as well.
Good luck and train hard!
Alan Stein, CCS, CSCS