This weekend is one of my favorite weekends of the NFL. The reason: the 2013 NFL Combine is being held in Indianapolis. Since I’m a speed coach and work with a lot of measurables, this is right up my alley. Plus, they now air the combine on TV and the internet so I can watch all these drills being run.

The NFL combine is where college seniors and underclassmen declaring for the draft get to perform and show their athletic abilities at one venue. General managers and coaches want to see these athletes perform with others at their position. It is a way to compare them and maybe solidify what they saw on tape or raise more questions.

A lot of people probably couldn’t name all the NFL combine drills. The 40 yard dash would be the first thing out of their mouth. Then maybe the bench press and possibly a jump, but after that no clue. So, I’m going to give a brief description of each combine drill so you have a better understanding of what is happening.

40 Yard Dash

This event is like the belle of the ball. The crown jewel. Everyone wants to see this event. Basically, each football player regardless of position will run a 40 yard dash. The clock starts once there is movement. They get timed at 10, 20, and 40 yard intervals. There is a laser at the finish to get an accurate time.

Even though many football players don’t run 40 yards straight in a game, it is the easiest test for true speed and explosiveness off the line. A bad 40 could mean a drop in draft positioning. This drill is a mainstay for combines and camps regardless of the athlete’s age. Meaning, if you have a high school football player, he will probably have to run this at a high school combine.

Bench Press

For this drill, the football player will be benching 225 pounds for as many reps as he can get. The bar will be loaded, you get help with the bar off the rack, and then you do full reps touching your chest and extending your arms all the way.

This drill not only is a test for strength, but for strength endurance. It is tough to train for this efficiently the weeks leading up to the combine unless you have had a good base by lifting throughout the previous years of your college experience. At high school combines, if this event is performed, the weight on the bar is usually 185 pounds.

Vertical Jump

The vertical jump tests lower body explosiveness and power. Normally, if you have a good 40 time, you should have a good vertical jump. It is usually the same if reversed, but not always the case.

Basically, you stand under a vertec (a device used to measure leaping ability) flat-footed and then reach up. The official measures your reach and then you explode up and touch the highest bracket you can. The reach must be measured accurately to get the right vertical jump measurement. This drill is also usually performed at a high school combine.

Broad Jump

The broad jump is another drill that tests lower body explosion and power. Basically, you stand at the starting line and jump as far out as you can. The official then measures the spot closest to the starting line.

The NFL combine requires that you stick the landing. Any movement (falling forward, backwards, to the side) and the jump will not count. This drill usually isn’t done at a high school combine.

20 Yard Shuttle

You have three cones set on a straight line 5 yards apart. You start the athlete in a three point stance by the middle cone. He explodes to his right and touches the line even with the cone. He then runs to his left 10 yards and touches the line even with the cone. He then runs through the middle cone and he is done.

The 20 yard shuttle tests lateral quickness and explosion. Sometimes high school combines will run this test.

3 Cone Drill

Three cones are set up in the shape of an L. You start running 5 yards up to the first cone and then back to the starting line. You change directions and run back up and around the first cone 5 yards to the second cone running around it, back around the first cone, and through the starting line. This drill is usually never run at high school combines.

Other Parts Of The NFL Combine

The other parts of the combine include getting your measurables: height, weight, bodyfat, hand length, etc. Then there are interviews with various teams. You take a couple tests to test intelligence and behavior. Finally, you have your position drills that you do. If you are going to an NFL combine, knowing is half the battle. Get prepared and then have the day of your life. It could win you a bunch of dollars.