Top Football Combine Drills

Football combine drills are more than practice—these are crucial checkpoints that determine an athlete’s preparedness, athleticism, and potential in the eyes of coaches and scouts. From high school showcases to pro scouting combines, these events are high-pressure situations where every split second and extra inch counts.

In this guide, we’ll break down the 5 most essential football combine drills, offering practical coaching tips and technical insights to help your athletes perform their best when it counts.

1. The 40-Yard Dash

The 40-yard Dash is often considered the most crucial test at any football combine. Let’s dive into the basics:

Execution Tips

• The Stance- Players will begin aggressively, placing their foot slightly opposite their dominant hand. This setup allows for a powerful and quick start, critical for shaving off milliseconds from their sprint time.
• The Launch- Focus on a powerful first step and minimal weight on the back leg. This technique ensures maximum propulsion from the starting position.
• The Sprint Technique- Players will maintain a 45-degree body angle and envision pushing the ground away behind them to maximize their acceleration. This mental imagery helps maintain speed throughout the dash.

2. The 5-10-5 Football Combine Drill

Also known as the Short Shuttle, this drill tests an athlete’s lateral quickness and ability to change direction efficiently.

Execution Tips

• Start Position: Adopt a stance with their lead hand down and the opposite arm barred across the body.
• Movement: Use large cross steps to cover the first 5 yards swiftly, then pivot sharply at the turn points without losing momentum.

3. The L-Drill

The L-Drill, or 3-Cone Drill, is crucial for demonstrating agility and the ability to navigate tight turns.

Performing the Drill

• Initial Stance: Players will begin in a left-handed stance regardless of their dominant hand, staying low to maintain speed around the cones.
• Cone Navigation: Players will tighten their route around each cone to minimize the distance covered and maintain a high speed throughout the drill.

4. The Standing Broad Jump

This drill measures lower-body explosiveness and balance.

Technique for Optimal Performance

• Preparation: Ensure a consistent starting ritual to maximize each jump’s effectiveness and repeatability.
• Execution: Players will use a powerful arm swing to enhance their forward momentum, focusing on landing smoothly to prevent any backward movement.

5. The Vertical Jump

Having players master their vertical jump helps them improve leg power and explosiveness.

Jump Strategy

• Stance and Setup: Players will align their shoulders with the post and use a calculated arm swing to drive their body upwards.
• Mental Focus: Encourage players to visualize their target height and perform each jump with consistent technique to maximize vertical reach.

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