The NFL Scouting Combine to give it its full title takes place every February, currently at the Lucas Oil Stadium. The week-long invitation-only showcase allows former college football players the opportunity to showcase their skills and meet Scouts, coaches, general managers from the 32 NFL clubs. The event lasts a week and although interviews and medical assessments are a part, the main feature is the following athletic ability drills which are pretty much self-explanatory:
40-yard dash.
Used to evaluate speed and acceleration, this has its origins in punt coverage with around 40 yards being the average distance of a punt from the line of scrimmage. Given the average hangtime (time in the air) is approximately 4.5 seconds coaches are looking for players who can run inside this time and so reach the area when the ball lands. Although a widely used measurable it is of more importance to Defensive Backs as they will often have to cover wide receivers or chase down running backs who have broken through the line. Linear speed is also useful for Wide Receivers and to a certain degree Running Backs, while less important for Linemen, QBs and Kickers. A fast 40 is no guarantee of success but a bad time can see a top prospects stock plummet.
Bench Press
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This tests both upper body strength and stamina and involves pumping out as many reps as possible using a 225 lb (102kg) bar. This is a discipline which is of more relevance to lineman and linebackers, and although of merit, it has its criticisms given that those with the shortest arms tend to have an advantage. Given this is a drawback for a lineman, in particular, a high rep count doesn’t necessarily guarantee success.
Vertical Jump
A vertical jump is defined as the highest point that a player can reach from a standing jump, less the height that the player can touch from a standing position. Although it is not that useful on the field of play it is a good identifier of overall athletic ability and acceleration burst
Broad Jump
Or standing Long Jump measures the explosive power of the legs and lower body. It is a good indication of twitchiness which is useful for pass rushers in particular who are tasked with getting to the QB.
20-yard shuttle
Or short shuttle is a drill designed to measure short area quickness & flexibility. The speed at which a player can change directions or move laterally gives an indication as to how fast they will be able to react on the field and how well they can lower their centre of gravity and keep their balance.
This involves starting in the typical three-point stance (one hand on the ground), runs out 5 yards to the right, touching a line, going back 10 yards to the left, left hand touching the line, pivot, and run 5 more yards and finishes.
60-yard shuttle
This is a real test of anaerobic endurance!
It involves a ladder shuttle of progressing distances. Three marker cones are placed at the yard lines 5 yards apart. The athlete starts from one end, runs 5 yards and back to the start, 10 yards and back, then 15 yards and finishes at the start line. A total of 60 yards is completed. The player is required to touch the line with their hand at each turn, for a total of five touches.
3 cone drill
This drill is primarily used to determine a player’s agility and involves three cones five yards apart a right angle. The participant starts with one hand down on the ground and runs to the middle cone and touches it. Then reverses direction back to the starting cone and touches it. Finally, they reverse direction again but this time run around the outside of the middle cone on the way to the far cone running around it in figure eight fashion on their way back around the outside of the middle cornering cone.
There are position specific drill also, however, these are the main ones people take notice of – rightly or wrongly.
