The combine is designed to test a player's athleticism. As players move up in age, combines are used to help collegiate and pro recruiters assess potential recruits.
40 Yard Dash
The 40 Yard (36.6 meters) Dash is the main event of the NFL combine. Everybody wants to know their "40" time. It's where pros make their millions and where recruits get noticed.
Why: This test will primarily show a player's acceleration, but it is also an indicator for speed, agility and quickness.
What and where: Find flat and unobstructed grass, track, or turf surface of at least 60 yards. Measure out a 40 yard area using a measuring tape if the area is unmarked. Set up cones to identify the start and finish lines. A stopwatch or timing gates will be used to time the event. If using a stop watch, have the player set up and hold their position. Start the clock on the player's first movement. Timing gates will pick up on the player using laser sensors on both sides of the player. Some gates will have a countdown sound to indicate when to run, where others will sense first movement. With timing gates, you eliminate the potential for human error. Interestingly, the NFL prefers to use a human hand start based on a player's first movement followed by an electronic timing gate finish.
How: Warm up ! You want to make sure that your player is warmed up enough to SAFELY sprint their fastest. Sprinting when you are cold will lead to injury and slow times. Here is a solid video on dynamic stretching pre-sprint. There are many different ways to warm up but I enjoyed this video's delivery. Once your player is warmed up, they should work in some practice starts and accelerations. Start from a comfortable stationary 3-point stance position, a position that is most familiar to you and that you think will yield the best time. The front foot must be on or behind the starting line. This starting position should be held for 3 seconds prior to starting, you may lean across the starting line, but rocking movements are allowed. Check out these NFL combine 40 yard dash highlights.
Results: Two trials are allowed, and the best time is recorded to the nearest 2 decimal places. The timing starts from the first movement (if using a stopwatch) or when the timing system is triggered, and finishes when the chest crosses the finish line and/or the finishing timing gate is triggered.
Fun Facts:
40 yard Sprint Scores (general guidelines)
College Footballers 4.6 - 4.9 secs
High School Footballers 4.9 - 5.6 secs
Recreational College athletes (male)~5.0 secs
Recreational College athletes (female)~5.8 secs
Benchmarks for Division 1 collegiate football recruiting 40-yard dash times:
Running Back: < 4.5 seconds is considered competitive.
Defensive Back: Top-tier players run in the 4.4–4.5 range.
Quarterback: Between 4.5 and 4.7 seconds, though speed is less emphasized compared to agility and accuracy.
Wide Receiver: Elite receivers are expected to clock under 4.6 seconds.
Linebacker: A 4.6–4.7 time is ideal for highly sought-after recruits.
Tight End: Competitive times fall between 4.7 and 4.8 seconds.
Defensive Lineman: The range now extends to 4.8–5.1 seconds.
Offensive Lineman: A time below 5.2 seconds is competitive, but agility and strength are often more important.
Top 5 NFL 40 times since 2013:
Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas – 4.21 seconds (2024)
John Ross, WR, Washington – 4.22 seconds (2017)
Kalon Barnes, CB, Baylor – 4.23 seconds (2022)
Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina – 4.24 seconds (2008)
Dri Archer, RB, Kent State – 4.26 seconds (2014)
Pro Agility Shuttle (5-10-5 Shuttle)
This test is used in more than just football. Hockey, soccer and baseball leagues (including the NHL and MLS) all use this test as a part of their combine testing protocol.
Why: This drill tests more than just straight line speed. Because of the starts and stops, it is also used to test a player's explosiveness, ability to change direction (agility) and body control.
What and where: Set up requires 3 cones placed in a straight line and 5 yards apart on a non-slip, flat surface. Turf, grass or gym floor are common. If not on a marked football field, use a measuring tape to set the cones. Use a stopwatch or timing gates to measure their time. If using a stopwatch, start the timer on a signal (Go, Hut or whatever you choose). Timing gates will pick up a player's first movement and when they cross the line.
How: The player lines up at the middle marker cone in a 3 point stance and prepares to go left or right. Assuming the player chooses to run to their left, they will follow this sequence. On the signal (Go, Hut or whatever), the player turns and runs five yards to the left side and touches the line with their left hand. They then explode out of their line touch to run 10 yards to their right toward the furthest cone. When they reach the cone they will touch the line with their right hand and explode back toward the left furthest cone. The time will stop when the player crosses the middle cone, but all players should run hard to the furthest cone so that they don't slow down too early. The player must touch the line at each turn or the run won't count.
Results: Record the time in seconds to the nearest 2 decimals. Use the best time of 3 attempts.
Fun Facts:
NFL record holder since 2006
Jason Allen, CB, 3.81 secs
Top five pro agility (20-yard shuttle) times from the 2024 NFL Combine:
Myles Harden, CB, South Dakota – 3.98 seconds
Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan – 4.01 seconds
Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice – 4.02 seconds
Dylan Laube, RB, New Hampshire – 4.02 seconds
Rome Odunze, WR, Washington – 4.03 seconds
Standing Long Jump Test (Broad Jump)
The Standing long jump, also called the Broad Jump, is a common and easy to administer test of explosive leg power. It is one of the fitness tests in the NFL Combine. The standing long jump was also once an event at the Olympic Games, and is also an event in Sports Hall competitions in the UK.
Why: to measure the explosive power of the legs
What and where: tape measure to measure distance jumped, non-slip floor for takeoff, and soft landing area preferred. Commercial Long Jump landing mats are also available. Check and calibrate equipment if needed. Perform a standard warm-up. The take off line should be clearly marked.
How: The athlete stands behind a line marked on the ground with feet slightly apart. A two foot take-off and landing is used, with swinging of the arms and bending of the knees to provide forward drive. The athlete attempts to jump as far as possible, landing on both feet without falling backwards. Three attempts are allowed. See above video for examples and check out this NFL record Broad Jump.
Results: The measurement is taken from take-off line to the nearest point of contact on the landing (back of the heels). Record the longest distance jumped, the best of three attempts.
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