The Ultimate Insider Guide: How to Prepare for the Football Combine

So you've received the call you've been waiting for - an invitation to participate in the football combine. If you're a football enthusiast dreaming of getting drafted into the professional league, the combine is a crucial step towards making that dream a reality. In this insider guide, we will break down all the essential tips and strategies to help you prepare for this potentially life-changing event.

Understanding the Football Combine

Before diving into the preparation process, it's essential to understand what exactly the football combine is. The combine is an annual event organized by the National Football League (NFL) where college football players showcase their skills and athletic abilities in front of scouts, coaches, and team representatives.

The combine is held in Indianapolis, Indiana, and lasts for six days. It acts as an opportunity for players to showcase their physical talents through various tests, including the 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical jump, broad jump, shuttle run, three-cone drill, and position-specific drills.

All-Pro Performance Training: An Insider's Guide to Preparing for the Football Combine

by Loren Landow(Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	121457 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	427 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Starting Your Preparation

Preparing for the football combine is not a task to be taken lightly. It requires months of intense training, dedication, and sacrifice. Here's how you can kickstart your preparation:

Setting Goals

The first step is to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely (SMART) goals. For instance, you might set goals such as improving your 40-yard dash time, increasing your bench press repetitions, or enhancing your agility. Setting goals helps you stay focused and motivated throughout your training process.

Creating a Training Schedule

A well-structured training schedule is crucial for success. Consult with a professional football trainer or strength coach to create a personalized workout plan that targets all aspects of your performance. This plan should include resistance training, speed and agility drills, conditioning exercises, and specific drills for your position.

Remember, consistency is key. Stick to your training schedule, even on days when you don't feel motivated, to maximize your improvement and minimize the risk of injuries.

Developing Your Skills

While physical training is vital, don't neglect the importance of honing your football skills. Work on your positioning, footwork, catching, throwing, and tackling techniques. Joining a local football camp or training program can provide valuable guidance and coaching for skill development.

Mastering the Combine Tests

Now that you've laid the foundation, it's time to ensure you perform your best in the combine tests. Here's how you can excel in each test:

40-Yard Dash

The 40-yard dash is a measure of your speed and acceleration. To improve your time, focus on explosive starts, maintain proper running form, and work on your sprinting mechanics.

Bench Press

The bench press test measures your upper body strength. Train your chest, shoulders, and triceps with a combination of heavy weights, moderate weights, and speed reps to improve your maximum strength and endurance.

Vertical Jump and Broad Jump

Both of these tests assess your power and explosiveness. Incorporate plyometric exercises such as box jumps, depth jumps, and medicine ball throws into your training routine.

Shuttle Run and Three-Cone Drill

These tests evaluate your agility and change of direction ability. Incorporate ladder drills, cone drills, and agility ladder exercises to improve your quickness and fluidity of movement.

Position-Specific Drills

Depending on your position, there will be specific drills tailored to assess your skills. Analyze the requirements of your position and practice those specific techniques rigorously to excel during position-specific drills.

Taking Care of Your Body and Mind

Preparing for the combine is not just about physical training; it also involves taking care of your overall well-being:

Proper Nutrition

Your diet plays a critical role in optimizing your performance. Consume a balanced diet consisting of lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and an abundance of fruits and vegetables. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

Rest and Recovery

Allowing your body to rest and recover is equally important as training itself. Make sure you get enough sleep, typically 7-9 hours per night, to allow your muscles to repair and rebuild. Incorporate recovery strategies such as foam rolling, stretching, and hot/cold therapy into your routine.

Mental Preparation

Preparing for the combine can be mentally exhausting due to the pressure and high stakes involved. Practice visualization techniques, positive self-talk, and stress management strategies to maintain a focused and positive mindset.

Making an Impact at the Combine

When the day of the combine finally arrives, it's crucial to make a lasting impression. Here's some advice to help you stand out:

Confidence

Believe in your abilities and have confidence in your performance. Approach each test and drill with a positive mindset and showcase your skills with pride.

Body Language

Pay attention to your body language as it can convey confidence and professionalism. Stand tall, maintain eye contact, and project a positive and determined attitude.

Focus on Details

Pay attention to the little details during drills and tests. Execute proper techniques, listen to instructions carefully, and give your best effort in every aspect. Scouts notice these details and value attention to precision.

Preparing for the football combine is a journey that requires dedication, hard work, and determination. By setting goals, creating a well-structured training schedule, mastering each test, and taking care of your body and mind, you are setting yourself up for success. Remember, the combine is not just a showcase of your physical abilities, but also an opportunity to demonstrate your character, work ethic, and love for the game. Embrace the process, trust in your abilities, and give it your all.

All-Pro Performance Training: An Insider's Guide to Preparing for the Football Combine

by Loren Landow(Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	121457 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	427 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Very few athletes are invited to a combine. Whether they are elite high school athletes vying for a college scholarship or standout college players looking to catch the eye of NFL scouts, only the best of the best get the chance to showcase their abilities in the unique environment of the combine, where a fraction of a second can make or break an athlete’s dream to play at the next level.

All-Pro Performance Training: An Insider’s Guide to Preparing for the Football Combine takes combine training to a whole new level by featuring a groundbreaking approach to movement training by one of the most sought after performance coaches in the country. As strength and conditioning coach of the NFL’s Denver Broncos, Loren Landow trains some of the most finely tuned athletes in the world. Prior to joining the Broncos, he founded Landow Performance, a sports performance training facility based in Denver, whose staff of strength and conditioning coaches has worked with hundreds of well-known athletes from the highest levels of sport (NFL, NCAA Division I, WNBA, MLB, NHL, UFC, Olympic Games). Landow knows what it takes to shine at a combine, and he shares his specialized knowledge in All-Pro Performance Training: An Insider’s Guide to Preparing for the Football Combine.

With a foreword by Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers running back and Landow Performance client, the text breaks down the proper execution of combine staples such as the 40-yard dash and pro-agility shuttle. It offers tips for mastering position-specific agility drills, and it provides an inside look into how athletes at the highest level of the sport both train and recover.

Proven techniques for mastering position-specific agility drills will help players hone their biomechanical movement efficiency, reduce the risk of injury, and open scouts’ eyes. And Prep Like a Pro sidebars put you right on the field with the author, revealing the most advanced training regimens and technological tools used by elite coaches and athletes.

Equip your athletes to reach their full potential. With All-Pro Performance Training, strength and conditioning coaches, personal trainers, and motivated athletes have the definitive playbook for training with purpose, elevating their game, and performing at their peak at combine time.

CE exam available! For certified professionals, a companion continuing education exam can be completed after reading this book. The All-Pro Performance Training Online CE Exam may be purchased separately or as part of the All-Pro Performance Training With CE Exam package that includes both the book and the exam.