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How The NFL Combine Measures Explosiveness(And Why It Matters)
How the NFL Combine Measures Explosiveness (And Why It Matters)
When people think of the Combine, they think of speed and highlights…
But what teams are really evaluating is explosiveness — how fast and how powerfully you can produce force.
And the truth is…
these tests apply to every athlete, not just skill positions.
1. Vertical Jump
What it is:
Standing jump straight up, measuring how high you can elevate.
What it measures:
Lower-body power — how quickly you can produce force vertically.
Why it matters:
This is pure explosion. No steps. No rhythm.
Just you generating force from nothing.
If you can’t create force fast, you can’t:
- Drive off the line
- Explode out of movements
- Generate power in contact situations
2. Broad Jump
What it is:
Standing jump forward for distance.
What it measures:
Horizontal power — your ability to project force forward.
Why it matters:
Sports aren’t played straight up and down. They’re played forward.
This shows how well you:
- Accelerate
- Cover ground
- Transfer strength into movement
3. 40-Yard Dash (First 10 Yards Matter Most)
What it is:
Sprint over 40 yards, with heavy focus on the first 10 yards.
What it measures:
Acceleration and force application into the ground.
Why it matters:
Most sports moments happen in the first few steps.
This tells coaches:
- How quickly you can get moving
- How efficiently you apply force
- How explosive your start is
4. 3-Cone Drill
What it is:
A tight change-of-direction drill around three cones.
What it measures:
Deceleration and re-acceleration ability.
Why it matters:
Explosiveness isn’t just going fast…
It’s stopping, redirecting, and exploding again.
This shows:
- Body control
- Elastic strength
- Ability to produce force at different angles
5. 20-Yard Shuttle (5-10-5)
What it is:
Sprint 5 yards, change direction, go 10 yards, then back 5.
What it measures:
Lateral explosiveness and reactive power.
Why it matters:
Most athletes struggle changing direction, not running straight.
This shows:
- How quickly you can plant and go
- How strong you are laterally
- How efficient your movement is
The Big Picture
Every one of these tests comes down to one thing:
How fast can you produce force?
Not just how strong you are…
Not just how fast you look…
But how quickly you can turn strength into movement.
That’s explosiveness.
Why This Matters for EVERY Athlete
You don’t need the Combine to train like this.
If you want to improve performance, you need:
- Power training (jumps, explosive work)
- Strength training (to create more force)
- Good mechanics (to apply it correctly)
Because at the end of the day…
The athlete who can produce force faster — wins.
Earn Everything.
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How The NFL Combine Measures Explosiveness(And Why It Matters)
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