The Dynamic Duo: Football and Track

The skills needed to be successful at the NFL combine are the same skills that make a good track athlete. Many of the events even mirror each other directly. The 40-yard dash and the indoor 60-meter race, high jump and the vertical jump test, long jump and the standing long jump test, the bench press and the pushing power of the shot put….

224 of the 256 players selected in the 2015 NFL Draft played at least two sports in high school. Of those 224, 63% of them participated in track and field and 48% of them played basketball where the quickness and cutting agility skills are honed. (usafootball.com)

In a country where many parents are forcing their kids into sports specialization at an earlier age, studies show this is hurting the chances of their kids being successful. Not only because of the obvious mental burn out, but cross training gives certain sport specific muscles a break preventing overuse injury.

But not all sports are created equal. Cross training in track and field directly correlates to a successful football career. By perfecting basic movement skills in the off season, staying in shape, and working fast twitch muscle fibers, players are putting themselves in line for a successful football season and are preparing themselves for a stand out combine performance. Tracking Football’s database of over 300,000 players even includes track and field performance data in their Player Athletic Index scores.

The list of successful football players with track backgrounds is extensive. Jalen Ramsey, Sammy Watkins, Julio Jones, Leonard Fournette, Rashad Greene, Jadeveon Clowney just to name a few. Putting out top track times allows a wide receiver to outrun his defender; a linebacker to keep up with his target, a defensive end to sack the QB.

In the chaos and time crunch of many football practices, the importance of practicing the basics of speed can be forgotten. Track and field fills this gap and reinforces the good techniques and habits necessary to kick ass on the field. So, when thinking about ways to take your football career to the next level, think track.

-Emily De Lena