Last week I had the honor of speaking to the football players at a local high school. There coach called me and asked me if I could come in and talk to the athletes before they were about to time some 40 yard dashes.
I went through a quick tutorial on the 40 yard dash start position trying to give these young atheltes some technical cues they could put to work right then and there to run a faster time. It was a cliff notes version of what I cover in my Combine DVD but I hit on the major tips.
The coach then asked me what were the biggest problems that hindered speed development in athletes. I responded with a lack of flexibility and arm mechanics...
Athletes as a whole don't stretch enough or not at all, they are tight and stiff, and especially high school athletes whom are going through growth spurts tend to be very inflexible. I told the athletes that flexibility training is THE most overlooked component of speed training. So if you want to get fast... Get flexible!
Arm mechanics especially in the top speed phase of the 40 yard dash can either make or break your time. I see too many athletes running with a short choppy arm swing. This short arm movement shortens your stride length, so at top speed when you want to open your stride up, you are shortening it and losing speed. Next time you run when you reach full speed exaggerate your arm swing to run a faster time.
Summer football training is just starting, if you need a surefire program to make the most of your training and train like an NFLer get my Training For The NFL Program.
Speed Sleds
Check out our speed sleds, if you are up to the challenge! We use these sleds daily to increase acceleration off the start. Get the Sled to lower your 40 yard dash
Showing posts with label forty yard dash. Show all posts
Showing posts with label forty yard dash. Show all posts
Friday, May 29, 2009
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
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/
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
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...
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...
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