Saturday, December 29, 2007

40 Yard Dash Training Equipment

I hope all of you are having a great holiday. This is a busy time of year for me with my athletes preparing for the NFL and CFL combines...

But I have a special pre launch announcement just for you...

Over the years I have been helping athletes all over the world get faster, stronger and more powerful while becoming better athletes. Now I am lauching a set of new tools to help you become explosive and flat out fast.

Mike Gough's Speed Tools is my own line of speed training gear that is designed to get you FAST.

Chutes, Sleds, Ladders, Hurdles, and much, much more to help you unleash your athletic potential.

Check it out at http://www.speedtoolsusa.com/

You will not be disappointed as this equipment is heavy duty and the exact training gear I use with my athletes down here. It has been battle tested by the best.

http://www.speedtoolsusa.com/

Train Hard,

Mike Gough
http://www.speedtoolsusa.com
http://www.procombinetraining.com
http://www.combinefreak.com
PS: If you are looking to imprve your 40 yard dash then check out my Speed Tools Agility Ladder http://www.speedtoolsusa.com/agility-ladder.php

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

The Pro Agility Shuttle


Yesterday I was poking around online and found a video on a high school football combine website that made me scratch my head. Let me tell you why…

They had a coach/trainer/timer (not sure his specific title) miked up coaching some high school players through the pro agility shuttle. He was telling them to do everything they should not do!!!

If you have watched my new DVD “The Combine Freak” you will know what I am talking about as I point out some techniques that others teach that are killing your time and I show you how to fix them.

He was actually adding 4+ tenths to their times with his techniques. Adding steps, the turns, foot placement, everything he said was NOT what they should be doing. And what happened? At the end of the video clip they showed the first athlete run the shuttle, he was all over the place, slipping in the turns, and adding steps here and there. He almost ran over the guy timing because of these techniques (maybe he did it on purpose!).

In addition the worst thing to do right before you test is to have some trying to coach you up. Perfection takes time.

I am the first to be open to new techniques and must admit that my training techniques are the accumulation of years of learning from others and dissecting video myself. Point is that my technique works.

Don’t waste your time and effort practicing the wrong way to perform the shuttle, when with a click of a remote control you can learn the right way.

Get the Combine Freak Combine preparation DVD today before your testing day has come and gone and you are left there on the field saying I should have listened to Mike.

www.combinefreak.com

Sunday, December 16, 2007

How to Train for the Football Combine Tests

How an athlete performs at a football combine can be critical in their football career. Football combines consist of the following tests: 40 yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, bench press, pro agility shuttle, three cone agility, and 60 yard shuttle. The better the athlete can perform in each of these 7 tests the better their chances of playing football at the next level whether that is high school to college, or college to the NFL.

Football combine performance enhancement is twofold. The athlete needs to train to enhance their raw strength, speed, agility power and flexibility. The athlete also needs to master the proper technique for each test, ensuring that the test is performed in the most efficient manner. This will lead to a knockout football combine performance.

Football Combine Training

Training for the football combines obviously is different than training for the sport of football. The athlete needs to be a polished blend of speed, agility, power, quickness, and athletic fluidity. Training must reflect these qualities.

Movement skill training, encompassing speed, agility, quickness and foot speed are major areas of focus when training to test at a football combine. These components can be enhanced with training using ladders, speed chutes, speed resistors, and various cones drills. This will allow the athlete to move more efficiently allowing the athlete to perform the tests with better technique.

Developing and enhancing explosive power is also a very important aspect of an athlete’s combine training. Plyometrics are a training method that I use when preparing athletes for the NFL Combine. They help enhance the vertical jump, broad jump, and the 40 yard dash.

Strength development is important as it is a component of increasing explosive power. For the bench press test, both max strength and muscle endurance training should be performed to increase reps performed.

Flexibility training should be performed daily to help increase range of motion. An increased range of motion will enhance speed, agility, and power development.


Football Combine Technique Training

Regardless if you trained to enhance your speed, agility and power, technique training specifically for the combine tests can greatly lower testing times and increase jump height and bench press reps.

Specific test technique cues can limit extra steps and decrease times. By working and refining the specific proper technique for each test you will perform the test more efficiently.

When training the technique for each test, breaking the test up into phases and refining each phase is the best way to make the biggest gains to the whole test. Perfect each phase the move to the next.

Having a systematic step by step protocol for each test is essential to performing at your best. This decreases your nerves as the test becomes a routing that you have repeated hundreds of times during training.

Mental thought processes prior and during each test can limit nerves and increase performance. One two or three simple thoughts provide focus and helps block out negative thoughts and distractions.

By working on the physical and mental technique cues, perfection in each of the tests can be achieved.


Football combine training is twofold. For a knockout combine performance both training and technique refinement should be performed. By training both of these areas you will ensure that you are fully prepared for the biggest test of you life.


NFL Combine training expert Mike Gough, CSCS specializes in 40 yard dash training and football combine test preparation. Mike has just released his football combine training DVD entitled "The Combine Freak" and is available at http://www.combinefreak.com where you can signup for his free 40 yard dash and combine training newsletter.
For more information on Mike Gough's NFL Combine Training Program please visit his website at http://www.procombinetraining.com

Friday, December 14, 2007

The 40 Yard Dash... Like Riding a Bike???

A funny thing happened the other day. Jon Corto who was the "Combine Freak" in my new DVD had a workout with the New York Giants on Tuesday. He and two other safeties were brought in to get a look. Surprisingly Giants Head Coach, Tom Coughlin conducted the workout.

Jon said they put him through 45 min. of positional drills then out of the blue Coughlin said, "get on the line to run a 40 so we can see how fast you are". Now Jon has not run a 40 yard dash since last March when he lit up the Syracuse Pro Day. So he was taken off guard and said he panicked for a second and scramble to focus on the proper technique. The other two players at the workout were even more stressed, as on was a 13 year vet who has not had to run a forty yard dash in a long, long time.

The panic for Jon did not last long. he got his head into it worked through a couple of starts then hit a decent 40 yard dash in the high 4.5's. He said that all the training with me, ingrained the technique cues into his memory, and he said when he is 50 years old he will still remember my 40 yard dash technique.

Jon told me later it is was "just like riding a bike" executing a close to perfect 40 yard dash.

If you want to learn these powerful 40 yard dash technique cues that will soak into your brain and allow you to run a great time, get the Combine Freak DVD .

Train Hard,

Mike Gough


About the Author: NFL Combine training expert Mike Gough, CSCS specializes in 40 yard dash training and football combine test preparation. Mike has just released his football combine training DVD entitled "The Combine Freak" and is available at http://www.combinefreak.com/ where you can signup for his free 40 yard dash and combine training newsletter.
For more information on Mike Gough's NFL Combine Training Program please visit his website at http://www.procombinetraining.com/

Sunday, December 09, 2007

How to Run a Faster 40 Yard Dash at Football Combines

How to Run a Faster 40 Yard Dash

The 40 yard dash has become the gold standard of football tests and can make or break an athlete’s football career. It is one of the most popular tests performed each year at the NFL Combine.

Many football players are looking for ways to improve their 40 yard dash time prior to attending football combines. By improving specific technique aspects and performing the proper training, 40 yard dash times can be greatly lowered.

Technique for the 40 Yard Dash

By refining the specific technique for the 40 yard dash, times can be greatly improved. Technique cues such as starting stance, first step length, countermovement, arm action, and breathing are some of the key factors in improving the 40 yard dash.

The starting stance of the 40 yard dash is extremely important as it is the foundation for a great time in the 40 yard dash. Each athlete should try to limit countermovement off the start as the timers go on first movement, so if there is countermovement valuable time is given to the timers.

After the start the first step is vital to get an explosive start to the 40 yard dash. The step must be the right length and the right angle for a great start.

One of the most important techniques cues for the 40 yard dash is the breathing technique that is used. A specific breathing pattern will ensure the athlete does not tighten up leading to a great time and technique.

The more technique flaws that can be corrected the more efficient the athlete will run.

Training for the 40 Yard Dash

The other aspect for improving the 40 yard dash is using training methods to increase speed, acceleration, power and flexibility.

Speed and ultimately acceleration training are key methods to enhance a 40 yard dash result. Speed training emphasizing on forward body lean, stride frequency and stride length will improve times.

Flexibility is one of the most over looked aspects of 40 yard dash enhancement. By increasing flexibility in the hips, legs and upper body speed will be enhanced.

By focusing on both the technique and training aspects of the 40 yard dash, a great time can be achieved. The athlete must become a student of the 40 yard dash learning and practicing perfection.

NFL Combine training expert Mike Gough, CSCS specializes in 40 yard dash training and football combine test preparation. Mike has just released his football combine training DVD entitled "The Combine Freak" and is available at http://www.combinefreak.com where you can signup for his free 40 yard dash and combine training newsletter.

For more information on Mike Gough's NFL Combine Training Program please visit his website at http://www.procombinetraining.com

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

40 yard dash Frustrations

Do you know what is bothering me?

I can't stand when people get in the way of an athlete's success.It absolutely irritates me when people make decisions and use power to further themselves and not the athlete. Here is why I feel this way.

Recently, I was asked to work with a top prospect up in my homeland of Canada. This athlete is a physical freak and I believe has the ability to play in the NFL.

Upon me contacting him he explained that they had a program at his school, and that his coach said that he had to follow that program in preparation for his testing day with scouts. I asked him if I could view the program, which I did. Let me preface this by saying that I respect other professionals and know that we all have our own way, and that in most cases we all get results. So if this program he was about to show me was beneficial to him then I would not have any problem with him following there program.

The athlete scanned the program's several pages and sent it to me. What I saw was a program that was fit for a Pop Warner team, basic weight training exercises, no speed, no core, no specific combine prep, no plyometrics, no flexibility, no agility or movement training... I was speechless. I though I would at least e-mail the caoch to see if I could educate him on what this athlete needed to be doing. In my polite and well written e-mail I expressed interest in helping the athlete prepare for the Combine. His response was..."they are part of the team... the team has a weight lifting program that is manadtory... I built the foundation here and it represent what we do here." In his e-mail he also stated that his program was combine specific... You get the picture.

So here we have a talented athlete with a bright future that is being held down by a coach that is holding his power, and putting his ego in front of this athlete's future. That is what bothers me... Actually it irritates me.

I wish I could slip the athlete a copy of The Combine Freak
(http://www.blogger.com/www.combinefreak.com) for him to watch in private. To at least be on the same level as the athletes that have prepared for the combine tests, athletes that know the specific technique for each test.

This coach would benefit much more by the athlete training properly, testing at the top, making the NFL and thus furthering the perception of this coach's football program. Now that would be logical...

So here is just a one of story of an athlete being held back by his coach... I am sure there are many more.

Don't let it happen to you.

In case you have been under a rock the past 5 days, I launched my new combine training DVD "The Combine Freak" (http://www.combinefreak.com) Check it out! http://www.combinefreak.com

Train Hard, Mike Gough
http://www.procombinetraining.com/
http://www.masteringthe40yarddash.com/
http://www.nflcombinetraining.com/

PS: Better not wait, click the order now button at the bottom of http://www.blogger.com/www.combinefreak.com to see if you can still qualify for the special price. It won't last long...

Friday, November 09, 2007

How is Your 40 Yard Dash?

How is your 40 yard dash progressing?

Well if you are like many athletes out there that are planning on attending a football combine this spring you need to always try to push the limit with your 40 yard dash technique training.

The more you focus on the individual phases the faster you will run.

Key Components to a fast 40 yard dash are the Start Stance, Acceleration Phase, and the Top End Speed Phase. How you plan and train each phase will determine how much improvemnt you make.

Each of these three key components to a great 40 yard dash will be broken down into the finest detail in my new DVD "The Combine Freak" that will be launched next Thursday at 12 noon EST.

If you are looking to achieve excellence in all of the combine tests then this is your chance to separate yourself from the competition.

Q&A
David from Hawaii Asks:
How will your DVD differ from other Combine DVD out there?

David, great question, honestly I can't say becasue I have not seen other combine dvds. My combine test technique has been refined through video analysis, trial and error and through personal experience preparing my athletes for the NFl Combine. I will say this, my DVD covers every little detail of every test, I teach you eberything that I know about combine training and leave nothing on the table.

Joe from Arizona Asks:
What tests are covered in your new DVD?

Joe, "The Combine Freak" Vol.1 will cover the following tests: Flexibility tests (3 in total) 40 Yard Dash (3 phases) 5-10-5 Shuttle L Cone 60 Yard Shuttle Vertical Jump Broad Jump Bench Press

In addition I give you a bonus section on my combine preparation secrets, including your mental game, shoe selection, preparation, night before tips, and combine protocol for success.

If you follow what I have to say in this DVD you will no doubt enhance you combine performance!

Be sure to look for my special e-mail next thursday at 12pm EST where you can get your hands on "The Combine Freak" Vol.1 at a special price before I launch it to the world. I will offer 250 DVD's at this special price. They will go quick so make sure you check you email to get on board!


Train hard!

Regards,

Coach Mike Gough
NFL Combine Training Expert
http://www.procombinetraining.com

Saturday, September 08, 2007

How to Stretch for the 40 yard dash

Although I have covered this topic in past newsletters, I am getting countless e-mail about how and when to stretch.

The Journal of Strengh & Conditioning Research this month had many studies examining the use of static stretching versus dynamic stretching.

More benefits were shown with a Dynamic flexiblity routine over static streching. Studies also showed that vertcial power was increased with dynamic stretching prior to a vertical jump, than with static streching.

So make sure to perform dynamic stretching just like my Dynamic Stretching protocol found in Mastering the 40 Yard Dash (www.Masteringthe40YardDash.com)

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Check Out www.MasteringThe40YardDash.com

We recently unveiled our new 40 yard dash website www.MasteringThe40YardDash.com Our best selling manual Mastering the 40 Yard Dash has helped many athletes nationwide improve their 40 yard dash.