Football Combine – How to Run a Faster 40 Yard Dash

This article was guest blogged by Patrick Beith, a Performance Consultant for Athletes’ Acceleration.

This is part 1. Click here for Part 2 of

How To Run A Faster 40 Yard Dash

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This is the time of the season where I am sure that you are asked the same question over and over: ‘How do I run a faster 40?’

Here are the Top 7 Tips to be able to increase your straight ahead football speed and 40 yard time dramatically without having to run a step. The focus is on the starting position in the 40 yard dash.

The start of your 40 yard is extremely important since it sets up your entire run. You want to put yourself in the best position possible to be able to explode off of the line. You must first determine your ‘quick’ leg and your ‘power/strong’ leg. An easy way to determine your “quick” side vs. your “power” side, fold your arms in front of you. The hand that is tucked under your bicep/armpit is your quick side arm. If your left hand is tucked under, your right leg is your “quick” leg. Your quick leg is going to be in the back position when starting in a 3-point stance and your power leg will be in front. The front leg is going to be the leg that is really starting the initial drive out so you want your strongest and most powerful leg in front.

Technically, the distance between the front foot (power leg) and the starting line should be approximately 55-60% of your leg length. The distance between feet should be shin length, which is about 42-45% of total leg length. A simpler and equally effective spacing is to start by placing front foot (power leg) two foot-lengths from the starting line and the rear foot (quick leg) another foot length between the front and rear feet. Spacing can be adjusted from there based on comfort, existing strength levels, etc.

The position of the shoulders while in the starting is a subject for debate. Some coaches instruct their athletes to bring their shoulders out slightly past their hands, thus bringing the center of mass closer to the starting line. First off, at some football combines, this movement is illegal so check with an official at your combine if you prefer to use this technique. I have found that leaning forward at the line often makes athletes fall forward at the start. So, their first step is catching and trying to control their body instead exploding out. They are actually trying to keep their feet underneath them to avoid falling forward and not creating horizontal velocity during the drive phase. Your thumbs should be directly under your shoulders. This maximizes the distance of the shoulders from the ground. The shoulders should be directly over or slightly behind the hands. This will keep the hips from moving forward and upward on the set command. The quick side, (rear) knee should be in contact with the ground.

The front knee angle should be between 90 and 110 degrees, while the rear leg angle should be between 120 and 135 degrees. Existing strength levels will be the primary factor determining whether your knee angles are closer to 90 and 120 degrees, versus 110 and 135 degrees. This means that weaker athletes will have the hips higher in the air (closer to 120 and 135).

Evidence suggests that angles in this range allow for the greatest stretch reflex in the hamstrings, as well as the greatest amount of velocity when exiting the starting line. It is important that you know your limitations. Even advanced male athletes, at the high school level, usually do not have the strength and power capabilities to successfully use lower knee angles when in the set position. A tell tale sign of poor acceleration mechanics and/or body angles is seen when an athlete becomes completely upright within the first few steps of a race. Rapidly decreasing shin angles are the most obvious evidence of limited strength and power output.

You have probably seen and heard many different ways to align your head while in the 3-point stance. Some coaches want you to keep your head down and looking back at your legs at the start. Other coaches believe that you should have your head up so that your eyes are looking forward. This may work on the football field since you need to see the ball snapped and know what’s happening on the field, but we are looking to your body in the best ‘exiting’ position possible.

Your head position should be properly aligned with your spine (so it is straight). Looking down and back normally causes the athlete to break at the hips while driving out while trying to maintain that position. Also, another problem that I have seen with trying to keep the head down is that it can cause the athlete to lean too far forward while in the starting position and it causes a breaking of the hips in the drive phase.

Patrick Beith is a Performance Consultant for Athletes’ Acceleration, Inc, http://www.AthletesAcceleration.com. To learn more about speed training and for free access to Coach Beith’s free report on ‘How To Improve Your Athletes 40 Yard Dash Times’ visit: http://www.FootballSpeed.com today.