The latest word from that iteration of the circus known as
the NFL Combine is that the theme of this combine is “Fluid Hips.” I was channel surfing yesterday and landed on
several of the ESPN pundits talking about the combine. I sat forward in my
chair hoping I would learn something about talent
selection and identification when they started talking about “Fluid Hips.” What
the hell are fluid hips? I think I have an idea of what they are talking about
but do they know? Does this represent
another example of NFL group think and double speak? I think they are talking
about hip mobility. If that is the case is what they are doing really measuring
and evaluating that quality. I guarantee that the hurdle hip mobility test originated
by Steve Myrland and Bill Knowles (Athletic Development page 63 & www.gambetta.com/books
) will measure that. How about doing a complete Athlete Profile following the
Kelvin Giles model http://movementdynamics.com that is now
used extensively in rugby.
The combine and so called pro days are now marketing events.
Do they really have anything to do with the game? I am convinced that most
coaches really have no idea of what happens in the game. They think they do
because they either played the game or watched thousands of hours of film so
they could better imitate what other are doing – sheepwalking. They coach what they think is
happening rather than what is actually happening. When they talk about speed of the game
do they have any idea what they really mean? Does anyone know how fast and how
many yards and at what speeds a wide receiver runs in a game versus practice?
What kinds of loads are imposed on planting and cutting? What is the cumulative
load of the collisions? What are the physical demands of practice and training
versus the game?
It all comes down to a simple question – Do you want to
innovate or imitate?
Jonathan Hewitt
Some collisions have been measured as high as 12Gs. This was measureed with devices place inside the helmets.
As far as the game speed and distance a WO runs in a game vs practice I do not know. But I would like to if anyone out there knows.
paul
I loved your post about the combines. I happen to have the NFL channel as part of my cable package, and as a coach you watch these athletes run these tests, while listening to coaches tell the audience how there is no transfer of any of the testing to on field performance, why keep doing the same test expecting different results?