Combine training makes the player highly adapted to a few movements
that really have no impact on their ability to play the game. Furthermore the movements
in the combine tests bear very little resemblance to what actually happens in
the game. So what are they doing? Now every sport is going to testing combines.
Rumor has it that even Major League Baseball will have a combine. Has anyone
ever taken a moment to step back to assess what information is derived from the
combine? After scouting players for four years what do you really learn from
some artificial and contrived tests? I know one thing if I owned an NFL team or
were the GM of a team we would not participate in the combine. We would evaluate
our own potential draft picks with tests and medical exams that were revealing
and indicative of their ability to play the game. I maintain that no one has
the courage to do this, they are all sheepwalking, following the flock.
6 Comments
Timothy Clark
Thanks for the thoughts Vern. A recent article in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research would seem to support what you’re saying. The authors’ conclusion, ” …we find no consistent statistical relationship between combine tests and professional football performance with the notable exception of sprint tests for running backs.” (November 2008) What are we training for? Adaptable or adapted. Thanks Vern
Mark Henschel
Great topic and point here, Vern. There is very little correlation between the combine tests and what happens on the field. I would also add that these physical “abilities” do not take into account a player’s ability to “read” the game, get into position early and not need these “abilities” to correct being in a poor position. This can really only be assessed when watching a player play. Anyone who knows what their doing in scouting could tell if a player is fast, has an explosive first step or great leaping ability. It all points back to the same place – marketing and money.
Carl Valle
I don’t agree with all the statements.
The general abilities to run and jump should be tested as what other objective measure is available.
If one has a great testing system let them be part of the teams scouting department and make millions finding the best.
When I see that the combine has some merrit as 4.8 corners are not going to do crap in the NFL.
Ken Vick
Have to agree quite a bit. I am heavily involved in this facet of performance training every year. I have 20 top guys getting ready right now, and we are not training for football, we are training for combine.
These measures might have had some validity when we were trying to just test raw athleticism years ago, but now everyone is preparing specifically for them. Their validity is questionable anyway.
I tell each of these kids the absurdity of it from our first meeting. However,its currently a key part of their job interview so I help them prepare. Unfortunately it means that we are not doing the best toprepare them for the NFL, but instead,for the Combine.
The absurdity hasgotten to thepoint, that the kids often choose the agent based on where they will train, not the quality of the agent. While I believe I do a great job, its out of control.
Ken Vick
St Patrick
I think it is important, for injury prevention. Specific training only builds up certain muscles and leads to imbalances.
St Patrick
I think it is important, for injury prevention. Specific training only builds up certain muscles and leads to imbalances.